The LDS Sacrament Prayer and Its Interpretations

Live from the Mecca of Mormonism, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, this is Heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology., where we try and get all people to walk toward the love of Jesus Christ. And I am Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion., your host.

Let’s have a prayer.

PRAYER

So last week we began talking about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and our first topic was the Sacrament. Let me re-read to you the LDS prayer over the element of broken bread. It says:

MONDAY September 9th 2019 Show 6a HOTM Redux – His Commandments

(FOLLOWED BY)

Show 6b HOTM REDUX Tuesday September 10th 2019 His Commandments Remarks

A couple of things to note right off the bat about this prayer. First of all, much of it is in harmony with the biblical purpose for communion as Jesus commanded his disciples to participate in this ritual “in remembrance of him.” The LDS include this emphasis.

Communion Practice and its Implications

But again, remember, that the Lord told Paul that his disciples were to participate in sacrament whenever they came together not only in remembrance of Him but until He returned (to take His church). If he has NOT come and taken his church (as promised) then communion ought to continually be practiced by believers. But if he has this rite no longer has viability.

Of course, I ardently maintain that Jesus came and took His church (as He and His apostles promised in the Bible that he would) so all of this stuff the LDS, and Catholics and Protestants are doing around communion is just church playing as far as I’m concerned.

But let’s assume that Jesus did not do what he said He would do in Matthew 24 and other places and the world is still waiting on him to come back – what is not biblical, what is man-made in the LDS communion prayer?

Well, if you are following the Bible, Jesus shared elements in His communion that were very symbolic to those present at the time – unleavened bread and wine. The LDS use any type of bread (wonder white bread full of yeast) and instead of wine, they use plain old tap water.

If I was going to remember the Lord in the most significant manner possible it would be through using historically significant elements that He himself appealed to and not some hollow representations of modernity – but that is just me.

The Addition of Keeping Commandments

This is not the real infraction as far as I’m concerned. There is a far more sinister development found in the LDS sacrament that does the worst thing a religion can do to a follower of Christ in my estimation. It is an addition to Jesus command to remember him that puts people in bondage – bondage to the ideas of man. Let me explain.

Did you catch it? It’s the line: That they (the partakers of it) are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him (so far so good) “and keep his commandments which he has given them.”

BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM.

See, in the Bible, Jesus instituted this Passover ritual of eating and drinking between His followers as a means to sustain His memory among believers in an age of great turmoil and persecution. There is no connection to there being a covenant or commitment to keeping His commandments in His or Paul’s instructions on this communion.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg in the LDS system. Remember, our Mormon brothers and sisters are renewing the covenants that they made at their LDS authorized water baptism. From the LDS authorized website under baptism we read:

“When you were baptized, you entered into a covenant with God. You promised to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, keep His commandments, and serve Him to the end (see Mosiah 18:8–10; D&C 20:37). You renew this covenant each time you partake of the sacrament (see 20:77, 79).

Now hear me clearly – this is religion – pure and simple. And if an individual chooses to use this religion to keep them on the strait and narrow, believing that this is what they ought to do in their life – I’ve got nothing to say – that is their decision and I am not sure any other religionist (Presbyterians, or Methodists or Baptists) are in a position to criticize this. They do the same things – and their pastor suggests the same things all the time to their congregates.

So it's not so much the system of religion the LDS use in their sacraments – the Catholics use a similar approach to their Eucharist as the LDS do with their sacrament. The problem I…

The LDS Sacramental Covenant

The concept of the LDS sacramental covenant is largely influenced by their interpretation and imposition of Jesus' commandment upon their members. Mormonism distinctively extends beyond many other Christian-like religious systems. It is often perceived as an oppressive and controlling religious system, comparable only to Islam and lesser-known cults. Typically, the path of control and life-oppression that the LDS church imposes on its adherents who genuinely strive to be good is as follows:

They baptize individuals in water approved solely by priesthood holders. At the time of baptism, the individual becomes a member of the LDS Church. They covenant at their water baptism for membership to: take upon themselves the name of Christ, which in terms of spiritual identification, is positive; to always remember Him, which is the foundation of communion, along with being identified as His follower.

However, similar to many religious systems, it introduces a man-made concept: at baptism, members also promise to keep His commandments. This particular commitment is substantial—whether one realizes it or not—and will be further examined.

Renewal of Covenants

Once these baptismal covenants are received—starting at the age of eight—members are expected, or strongly encouraged, to return every Sunday to their ward’s sacrament meeting to renew these covenants. The prayer over the LDS corporate elements specifically states that the sacrament partakers are willing to: take upon the name of Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments which He has given them.

This system ensures that LDS members consistently attend meetings as a means of fulfilling their obligation as church members. The weekly reminder instills a sense of duty in the members, ensuring that they comply with what they believe God commands, thus preparing them for entry into His Kingdom, with water baptism acting as the entry and taking sacrament as the renewal of that act.

The Manipulation in Covenantal Promises

The process, as structured by the Bible, is demanding but is akin to practices observed in other major denominations that encourage members to participate in proprietary ordinances for salvation. Mormonism, however, excels in fostering adherence to the institution—arguably placing more adherents in religious bondage than any other group. This is achieved through deft manipulation seen in their covenantal lines which assert that members keep the commandments Jesus gave them to always have His Spirit with them.

This presents itself in three key manipulative parts: first, LDS members promise at baptism and each week at the sacrament table to keep Jesus’ commandments. Second, the sacrament prayer suggests that having His Spirit is dependent on keeping these commandments—making it conditional and precarious for members. Third, the LDS leadership’s definitions and explanations of these commandments contribute to the impression of manipulation.

This starts at the young age of eight for non-converts, akin to placing a metaphorical anaconda around a member's neck to accompany them through life. Weekly, the LDS, committed to “keeping the commandments Jesus has given them that they might have His Spirit,” are reminded of this promise. Each week, they face an increasing list of commandments supposedly given by Jesus.

Belief and Love

1st John 3:23 “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

Believe and love.

John the Beloved summarized Jesus' every commandment into two words – believe and love.

LDS Commandments

But the LDS go in and have recreated the “commandments” Jesus and/or God gave to members of the church, and here is where the Anaconda grows in life-snuffing strength and might in the life of LDS people. Under the title of, Enduring to the End, the LDS people are taught that keeping the Lord's commandments include:

• Repenting.
• Prayer.
• Daily scripture study.
• Fasting.
• Bearing testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel.
• Receiving all ordinances and rites in faith established by God.
• Keeping the Sabbath day holy.
• Obeying the Word of Wisdom (the laws of health).
• Sustaining local priesthood leaders.
• Obeying the law of chastity.
• Paying a full tithing and other requested offerings.
• Attending Church meetings.
• Magnifying Church callings.
• Obeying the laws of the land.
• Sharing the gospel (missionary work).
• Doing family genealogy.
• Being willing to consecrate everything to the Church.
• Attending the temple often.
• Being a valiant home teacher (if male) or visiting teacher (if female).
• Following the prophet and apostles.

Additional Recommendations for Obedience

Since various Church leaders have strongly recommended the following activities, the truly obedient usually feel that, in addition to the above, following the prophet and apostles include:

• Bearing or raising children, if possible.
• Keeping a personal journal.
• Subscribing to Church periodicals.
• Honoring positive Church history, but avoiding the negative.
• Observing specific grooming standards and requirements including no tatts and girls with only two ear piercings.
• Adhering to specific apparel guidelines.
• Avoiding caffeinated drinks (not included in the Word of Wisdom).
• Maintaining a one-year food storage supply (not sure how stressed this is anymore).
• Participating in Boy Scouts (if male between eight and eighteen).
• Remaining free from consumer-credit debt.
• Avoiding R-rated movies (or worse).
• Preparing for and serving a full-time mission if an unmarried male or for couples without children under eighteen.
• Assisting in church house maintenance and clean-up.
• Obtaining a college education or vocational training.
• Participating in local, state, and/or national politics.
• Holding a weekly family home evening.
• Accepting all Church callings and assignments.
• Avoiding doctrinal/Church intellectualism and certain symposia.
• Striving to do good continually.

And suddenly, Jesus' command to eleven men prior to his deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., to eat and drink in memory of Him until he comes back as promised to take them…

Becomes an overwhelming weighty serpent looming around the necks of these dear people with the constant threat of extinguishing the Spirit right out of them if they don’t live up to every single commandment given them.

Join us tomorrow night – Tuesday, September 10th 8pm by calling or emailing or commenting online about this or any other topic you would like – right here on:

Heart of the Matter: Redux