Mormon Theology no. 17 - The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

I went to Church today and partook of the Sacrament (or more colloquially called Communion).  That made me realize I haven't given the Internet answer to what the sacrament is.

When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He instituted the ordinance of the Sacrament in remembrance of His atoning sacrifice.  It is recorded in Luke: "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you (Luke 22:19-20)."  The Apostle Paul gives us greater insight into the meaning of the Sacrament.  He says, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall  be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup (1 Cor. 11: 26-28)."  

We partake of the Sacrament as a renewal of our Baptismal Covenants to always remember Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and always remember Him; in return, He promises His Spirit to be with us as long as we are faithful.

Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, "The sacrament is one ordinance that allows us to experience a personal relationship to God and enlarges our knowledge and understanding of Him and His Only Begotten Son. (Ensign, May 1983, p. 14)."  

May those who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partake of this ordinance with holiness of heart; and may those who have not been baptized find the Truth is my prayer, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Mormon Theology no. 4 - Faith in the Master Jesus Christ

In our previous discussions, we have focused on the Godhead, the Book of Mormon, and the Fall and Atonement. We now focus on how to bring the Atonement into effect.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith is the moving cause of all action, both physical and mental, and that if there was no faith, we would cease to exist. He also taught that faith is a principle of power, and that when it is increased or exercised through prayer or reading God's Word, our POWER in Christ actually increases.

Alma 32 is the most prolific and helpful sermon on faith we have on record. The prophet Alma compares faith to a seed or flower bud. In order for a flower to grow, you must weed it, water it, protect it from the elements, and do everything in your power to keep it growing upward so it doesn't wilt and die. So it is with faith: we must pull up the weeds of doubt, pour on the Living Water, protect our faith (or testimony) from the temptations that so easily beset us, and always pray to God that He will help us maintain the Holy Ghost so that our faith increases upward towards Him, therefore obtaining more power of, in, for, and from Christ.

Brethren and Sisters, let us, as Alma admonishes, nurture our faith by study of Christ's Gospel, by prayer, and by Church attendance, and therefore obtain more power in Him. I know that the Savior lives and loves us, and beckons us upward with His words, "Come, follow me." Let us always strive to follow Him in faith, and have that faith increase, I hope and pray, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Mormon Theology no. 2 - Fall of Man and Atonement

In the Book of Mormon, the Fall of Man, the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection - are taught so well that, as President Ezra Taft Benson observed, "even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation (Ensign, Nov 1986, 4)."

THE FALL
Our purpose on Earth can best be understood by knowing how things went from easy to not-so-easy.

When God the Father created Adam and Eve, He placed them in the Garden of Eden and gave them two commandments. One was to multiply and replenish the earth, and the second was to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Most Christians believe that the Fall was a mistake; this the Mormons refute because of new revelation given in the Book of Mormon. In that Book, the prophet Lehi taught that had Adam and Eve not transgressed (eaten the fruit) they would have remained in the Garden of Eden in a stagnant state of no progression - no knowing good or evil because they were innocent. Because of their eating of the fruit, however, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden to toil and work all their days, which would be filled with opposition to promote growth and learning (see 2 Nephi 2 in the Book of Mormon). Thus, according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Fall of Adam was paramount to our coming to Earth.

THE BLOOD ATONEMENT AND RESURRECTION
In addition to pain and suffering, sin and death also entered the world through the Fall of Adam and Eve. Because of our being mortals, we cannot rid ourselves of our sin, nor can anything sinful enter the presence of God. There must be a way for this to occur, however. But, what is the way? Only through Jesus Christ the Savior.

He, Jesus Christ, volunteered and was ordained before the world was made to be our Savior - to free us from death unconditionally and from sin if we would follow Him. He did free us from sin on the condition that we repent when He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, bleeding from every pore, as well as when He died on the Cross of Calvary. He was able to do this for us because He is a God.

Three days later, He rose from the tomb as "the first begotten of the dead (Rev. 1:5)", to use John's phrase. As this "first begotten" God, He freed all people from death. We will no longer have to suffer throughout eternity without our bodies, but will live again as He did!  What joyous proclamations should be heralded throughout the wide expanse of all the earth!!!  Freedom from death!!!  Those fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sister, sons and daughters who die, and whose siblings and spouses and parents mourn, will truly have their tears wiped away because of the Lord that is faithful!!!  If they repent while in the flesh, they shall live with their families throughout eternity. This binding of families is made available in Holy Temples, 130 of which are operating at furious rates.

So, I say to all, come unto Christ the Lord and His only true Church. Come unto the Authority that binds forever and ever and you will be saved!! This I declare in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen