Dec 1, 2024

Illustration by Joshua Dennis, ChurchofJesusChrist.org 

As Moroni came to the close of the Book of Mormon, he included some of the most important ordinances and truths to help “keep [us] in the right way” (Moroni 6:4). Among these important ordinances are the sacrament prayers. As I have listened to and pondered these prayers and studied the sacrament, I have gained a more complete understanding of my relationship with Jesus Christ and a deeper appreciation for the covenants I make with Him. 

Taking the sacrament each week is an amazing blessing! Because it is a regularly occurring event, sometimes the sacrament can become more habitual than intentional. Refocusing on the purpose and meaning of the sacrament can help us feel the Spirit and receive strength. 

In the sacrament prayers, we covenant to “take upon [us] the name of [the] Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments” (Moroni 4:3). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “One way to ‘always remember him’ would be to join the Great Physician in His never-ending task of lifting the load from those who are burdened and relieving the pain of those who are distraught.”

Service is a great way to honor our sacramental covenants. We can provide emotional and physical support to others as we develop the eyes to see those in need. Wilford Woodruff shared a story about one way he served someone in need. He said, “While I was in Herefordshire I helped carry a sister into the water who had not walked for twelve or fifteen years, and we baptized her,” and she was later healed through a priesthood blessing as well. I love this example of service because Wilford helped this sister receive sacred ordinances. The best service we can do for others is helping them come closer to Jesus Christ. 

One of my favorite sacrament hymns is “As Now We Take the Sacrament,” and a line that always stands out to me says, “Forgiveness is a gift from thee, we seek with pure intent. / With hands now pledged to do thy work, we take the sacrament.” As we recommit our lives to the Savior, He will consecrate our offering and magnify it to help His work of love move forward. 

Kamryn Maughan is studying Family Life at Brigham Young University. She joined the Wilford Woodruff Papers and was drawn by its mission to deepen and strengthen faith through President Woodruff’s documents and history. Kamryn has a big, loving family that she recently reunited with after serving in Oklahoma as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loves hiking, playing card games, and watching movies with her family and friends. 

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.