Sacrament (LDS Church) - Meaning of The Sacrament

Meaning of The Sacrament

The sacrament is viewed as a renewal of a member’s covenant made at baptism. According to the sacramental prayers, a person eats and drinks in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus, and promises always to remember Him, take His name upon them, and keep His commandments. In return the prayer promises that the participant will always have the Spirit to be with them.

The sacrament is considered the most sacred and important element of the Sunday meetings and as such is approached by the Latter Day Saints with reverence and in a spirit of penitence. Consequently, all who partake of the sacrament are encouraged to examine their own consciences and prayerfully gauge their own worthiness to do so. If they feel unworthy, they are encouraged to refrain until they have properly confessed and repented of whatever sins or misdeeds they may have committed. Partaking of the sacrament by non-members is permissible, but has no significance.

The sacrament is considered to be a weekly renewal of a member's commitment to follow Jesus Christ.

Like most Restorationist sects of Christianity, and unlike the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and some Reformed churches, the LDS Church does not teach any kind of Real Presence. The Church teaches that the bread and wine or water are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ.