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Used by permission of Greg Olsen. Painting available through Foundations Arts or Greg Olsen Art.

"In Remembrance"

The sacrament sacred, I reverently take.
Remembering Him, who died for my sake.

The soul now nourished, deep down within.
The Bread of Life vanquished, the ill-gotten sin.

The living water pure, it quenches my thirst.
Cleansed from sin, my heart wants to burst!

How do I thank, and with love honor Him?
Once a broken mortal, so full of sin.

I contemplate intently, His battle fought for me,
In a lonely cold garden, called Gethsemane.

His prayers that dark night, reaching beyond the stars.
When heaven watched earnestly, and wept from afar.

To be beaten, and scourged, and hung on a cross.
Displayed as a martyr, angels grieved for the loss.

Soon to be swallowed, victory there loomed.
For three days later, He rose from the tomb.

To be lifted in glory, and exalted to a throne.
So all who partake it, may join Him at home.

To my lips its sweet taste, each Sabbath day.
I promise obedience, a small price to pay.

POET'S COMMENTS

Many Christians each Sabbath day, come to partake of the of the sacrament ordinance. But how many of them, come to experience it?

Because of its frequency and commonality among church goers, the sincerity and sentiment attached to it's practice could be lost for many. The sacrament must never become characterized as common, casual, or an exercise of a ritualistic behavior. It is so far beyond that definition. For those who see with their spiritual eyes, and hear with their spiritual ears, it is not redundant nor clothed in sameness. It is refreshing, unique, and cloaked in revelation, light, truth, hope, peace, and comfort.

The beauty of its symbolism and meaning can be appreciated by those who prepare and approach it with deep reverence and respect. There is great power and healing in this sacred ordinance. It is an opportunity to feel the Spirit and to come to know the Savior better. It is during the sacrament that the "Bread of Life" nourishes our souls, and the living water washes us clean and quenches our thirst. It should be the most solemn and sacred of all Sabbath day moments.

While in the chapel the sacrament hymn sets a tone to feel the Spirit. It also invites the presence of heavenly angels as they join with members in harmonic adoration. Sabbath worship is not restricted to one side of the veil. After singing a sweet hymn of praise, the sacrament prayer is pronounced, and the emblems administered. Greater appreciation of the sacrament can come by understanding the sacrament prayer.

"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 they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen." (D&C 20:77)

O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen." (D&C 20:79)

First, deity is acknowledged. Then, His son is recognized. "Oh, God the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ..."

Second, the emblems are blessed and sanctified. "We ask thee... to bless and sanctify this..." Blessed in that moment by the Eternal Father to represent the Savior's life, sacrifice, and gift of the Atonement. Sanctified to be set apart as "consecrated," as though the Holy Father has touched it in order to make it pure, sacred, and holy. Know not, what you take to your lips is holy?

Third, a purpose is stated, "in remembrance." Now is a time of contemplation, reflection, and pondering of the Savior's gift to each soul who partakes. We remember those moments of the "Last Supper" where the Christ shared a farewell to his apostles We contemplate those moments of grief suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, where blood dripped from every pore. We meditate over the pain of the crucification when lifted on the cross, where He carried out the will of the Father. And then we reflect upon his infinite act of sacrifice and courage, which was an eternal gift to each one of us, individually.

Fourth, in our deepest gratitude we reflect on his ransom for our sakes. And in humility with a broken heart and contrite spirit, we honor his sacrifice by making a covenant. We repent of our sins and promise that we will keep all of his commandments. We take Christ's name upon ourselves. We hold sacred that name by choosing the right, and representing him in our daily acts of love and service. We witness to the Father, that we will by oath follow His son, by being an example of him and living his teachings.

Fifth, the Eternal Father seals our oath by promising to send His Spirit to direct, protect, counsel, and lead us back to Him. This Spirit becomes a source of revelation, comfort, light, truth, and peace. Through that Spirit we are guided back into the presence of God.

The deeper meaning of this sacred moment with the Father and Beloved Son, should be felt each Sabbath. The majesty of their love can be experienced, and it is wonderful! One way to personalize the covenant made in the Sacrament is to put the sacrament prayer grammatically in the first person.

O God, the Eternal Father, I ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to me as I partake of it, that I may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that I am willing to take upon myself the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given me; that I may always have his Spirit to be with me. Amen... O God, the Eternal Father, I ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to me as I drink of it, that I may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for me; that I may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that I do always remember him, that I may have his Spirit to be with me. Amen.

Another way to reinforce the beauty of the sacrament is to reflect on our own conversion to the gospel. Recounting and renewing our baptismal covenant as well as temple covenants, can add greatly to the significance of the sacrament. Reliving those special experiences that brought about our mighty change of heart, will strengthen our desire to serve Him. Imagining that the bread and water is being administered by our Redeemer can enlarge its meaning. Seeing in our mind's eye the Great Physician healing the down trodden, the sick, the afflicted can remind us of the times he lifted us through our trials.

Our faith, and hope is brightened by knowing that He lives, and He is there watching over each and every lamb. A sacramental hymn says it so eloquently... "I feel my Savior's love..." Such should be the experience of the sacrament.

May each Sunday be a time where we rejoice in coming to know our Savior better. May we spend a few sacred moments with the Him each Sunday during the sacrament ordinance. That by this we would gain a testimony that: "Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:54) May the sweet emblems of the sacrament fill your soul as they have filled mine.

POEMS

All poems protected by copyright

A Bridge To Heaven's Gate

A Lighthouse Of Love

A Prayer To Heaven

A Ripple In The Water

A Shepard's Call

Abandoned Moments and Forsaken Memories

Adversity, My Friend

Anger's Prison

An Ocean of Pride

Become As A Child

Be Still

Born Again

Bound By Service

Burning Sparks

Christmas Eve Memories

Day And Night

Does Mercy Rob Justice?

Faith In My Trials

Father Is Waiting

Forever My Angel

Free From Hypocrisy

God's Gift

God's Poet

God's Witness

Heaven's Treasure

He Counseled God

Hidden In The Forest

Hope And Faith

If There Were No Light!

In Remembrance

In The Upper Room

My Father, My Knight

My Last Thoughts

My Mother

My Needs Are Great

Our Father's Love

Our Sweet Temples

Promises and Procrastination

Reconciliation

Reflections

Rescuing God's Children

Resurrection's Glory!

Shun Pride, And Forgive

Spiritual Gifts

Suffer It To Be

Sweet Feast

Tears

Tell Me! Why Dear Lord?

The Endless Road

The Hem Of My Garnent

The Message Of Hope

The Notes I No Longer Hear

The Power To Lift

The Prodigal Son

The Sabbath Hour

The Seven Days of Creation

The Story of Flowers

The War For Eternal Choices

Time To Become

To The Shores of Paradise

Walk With Me

When Doubt Puts Truth On Trial

Whisperings of Wisdom