Bread and Water, aka Sacrament

Today we’re looking at the LDS version of Communion, or Sacrament as it is known in Mormonism. Because nothing in Mormonism is straightforward, you’ll find multiple layers to this ordinance. I’ve tried to lessen the confusion by highlighting the bottom line in each of their explanations of how this works.

You can read a brief explanation and links for references for each item listed here at the end of this article.

• Mormons believe they can be cleansed of sin by taking the Sacrament.
• Mormons believe they renew covenants made at baptism by taking Sacrament.
• Mormons believe that leavened bread (Wonderbread^®) and water represent Jesus’ sinless sacrifice and spilled blood at the cross.
• Mormons believe children taking Sacrament is good practice for oaths they’ll take in the future.
• Mormons believe Jesus told Joe Smith it doesn’t matter what you eat or drink at Communion.

1 Corinthians 11:24-26; “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 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.”

Obviously, the meaning of the Last Supper has been lost in translation somewhere. There was no mention of Passover in any of the references I pulled and no mention of how Passover was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ spilt blood and sinless sacrifice.

During their Sacrament meetings the elements are passed to the congregation after prayers are offered by 12 year old boys dressed in white shirts and conservative ties. As mentioned above, people of all ages may participate in taking Sacrament even though they also state this ritual is to renew covenants you’ve made previously.

We’re wondering…

Where is Jesus in all of this?

Ensign, ‘Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament,’ September 2001; “Throughout the Church each week, members gather for the opportunity to partake of the sacrament. This…provides a way whereby we can be cleansed of our sins.” – Vaughn J. Featherstone [emphasis mine]

Encyclopedia of Mormonism 1992; “…The Sacrament in LDS belief does not serve primarily as a means of securing remission of sins. It does, however, focus attention on the sacrifice for sin wrought by the Savior and on the need for all those who have been baptized to maintain their lives constantly in harmony with his teachings and commandments.” [emphasis mine]

Gospel Topics, Sacrament; “…In partaking of the sacrament and making these commitments, Church members renew the covenant they made at baptism…In return, the Lord renews the promised remission of sin and enables Church members to “always have his Spirit to be with them…”” [emphasis mine]

Liahona, Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting,’ August 2004; “…Little children, as sinless beneficiaries of the Lord’s Atonement, may partake of the sacrament as they prepare for covenants that they will make later in life.” – Russell M. Nelson

Gospel Principles, pp 33-37; “…During the sacrament, we partake of bread and water … in a latter-day revelation He has said that it doesn’t matter what we eat and drink during the sacrament as long as we remember Him (see D&C 27:2–3).” [emphasis mine]