Next Moroni explains how to administer the sacrament. First, he shares the prayer which an elder or priest would offer as they knelt with the church.
Chapter Outline
- The blessing on the bread (v. 1-3)
My Takeaways
- The sacrament prayers consist of a petition, a statement of purpose, and a set of promises.
- We should partake of the sacrament conscientiously.
Featured Blog Posts
Where Did the Sacrament Prayers Come From?
The prayers offered over the sacramental bread and water were given by revelation to Joseph Smith in 1820 (Doctrine & Covenants 20:75-79). They are nearly (but not precisely) identical to the prayers offered in the ancient American church as recorded by Moroni (Moroni 4, 5). Moroni recorded those prayers in about 421 A.D. But much…
What Can We Learn from the Sacrament Prayers?
Moroni, the last prophet in the Book of Mormon, specified the words of the sacrament prayers (Moroni 4, Moroni 5). We use the same prayers today, with two modifications: The word “hath” has been replaced by the modern word “has” in the first prayer (as it appears in D&C 20:77). The word “wine” is replaced by…
What Can We Learn from the Differences Between the Sacrament Prayers?
Yesterday, I discussed the three-part structure of the sacrament prayers. Both prayers consist of a petition, a statement of purpose, and a list of promises. Today, I’d like to consider the differences between the prayers. Here is a side-by-side view of the two prayers with the differences highlighted: The Blessing on the Bread The Blessing…
Why Are Some Prayers Fixed (the Sacrament Prayers, for Example) in Contrast to Our Normal Prayers?
We have significant latitude over the content of our prayers. For the most part, we can pray for the things we want to pray for, and our Heavenly Father wants us to share our genuine thoughts and feelings when we communicate with Him. However, the content of our prayers is constrained in some ways. A…
❖ The blessing on the Bread – Moroni 4:1-3
“O God…”
The expression “O God” is characteristic of the Old Testament, and particularly the book of Psalms. The few times it appears in the Book of Mormon, it conveys a special earnestness. So, it’s fitting that the sacrament prayers would begin with those words.
“Our Constant Companion”
As Nephi entered the city of Jerusalem at night to make a third attempt to obtain the brass plates, he didn’t know what he would do. He simply said that he was led by the Spirit. Like Nephi, we need the guiding and comforting influence of the Holy Ghost.
All Those Who Partake of It – Moroni 4:3
3 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that…
Old Testament Foundations
Thy Name, My Name
I spent the day yesterday serving with some people I haven’t seen in a long time. I was gratified when some of them who I don’t know very well remembered my name (and when I remembered some of their names). Names are important. We like it when other people remember our names and when they…
Willing
Yesterday, I wrote about King David’s final sermon, in which he acknowledged God’s power and glory. Earlier in that sermon, he had a message for his son, Solomon, who was to succeed him as king: And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a…
New Testament Parallels
“This is My Body”
Jesus taught that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood. A year later, He gave His disciples bread and wine saying, “This is my body” and “This is my blood.” During His visit to the American continent, He added that we eat and drink to our souls.
All Posts Referencing Moroni 4
- Seeing the Face of God (8/27/2025)
- Grace and Agency in Doctrine and Covenants 20 (3/15/2025)
- Book of Mormon Elements in Doctrine and Covenants 20 (3/14/2025)
- “That They May Do It in Remembrance” (12/7/2024)
- “O God…” (12/6/2024)
- The Spiritual Power of Remembering (8/28/2024)
- “Our Constant Companion” (1/11/2024)
- Songs, Sermons, Lessons, and Prayers (9/5/2023)
- None Other Name (7/7/2023)
- “This is My Body” (6/4/2023)
- Thy Name, My Name (9/25/2022)
- Spirit (11/10/2021)
- Willing (6/17/2021)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Clarify? (12/31/2019)
- What Is an Elder? (11/10/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Minister? (8/3/2019)
- Where Did the Sacrament Prayers Come From? (7/15/2019)
- Why Are Some Prayers Fixed (the Sacrament Prayers, for Example) in Contrast to Our Normal Prayers? (4/1/2019)
- What Can We Learn from the Differences Between the Sacrament Prayers? (3/23/2019)
- What Can We Learn from the Sacrament Prayers? (3/22/2019)
- What Does It Mean to Eat and Drink the Bread and Water to Our Souls? (3/21/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Sacrament? (3/20/2019)
- Always Remember Him – Moroni 4:3, 5:2 (11/29/2018)
- All Those Who Partake of It – Moroni 4:3 (6/25/2017)
- And Witness unto Thee – Moroni 4:3 (12/22/2015)
- Moroni 4:3, 5:2 The Sacrament Prayers (12/26/2014)