The weekly sacrament ritual is the focal point in LDS sabbath worship. In it we renew our baptismal covenants with Christ. These covenants include promises to God, to ourselves, and to others. The ritual also has layers of meaning in how it is prepared, blessed, and passed by the Aaronic priesthood holders in the ward. In LDS sabbath meetings, the priesthood generally only passes the sacrament between pews. Once the sacrament is passed to a pew, the people sitting in the pew pass it to each other before passing it back to a priesthood holder to pass to the next pew. Often when Mormons speak of passing the sacrament, they are only referring to the passing that goes on from the sacrament table to the outer edge of the pews. But if you pay attention, you’ll see that there’s an even more powerful and intimate meaning in how the sacrament is passed within the pews. This is what happened when I saw my daughter pass the sacrament to me.
The act of passing the sacrament is profound. The sacrament represents the emblems of Christ: His blood and body shed for us. It becomes a physical representation of our baptismal covenants and the atonement. The act of passing it, offering it, to someone is deeply symbolic. How do we offer the atonement to others? Do we extend a hand of forgiveness and repentance? Do we avoid passing judgement on another? Do we offer to heal broken hearts and bodies? Do we extend faith and trust to one another? And do we offer the Spirit of God to those around us? This is some of what it can mean to pass or offer the sacrament to someone.
Keeping this in mind, we can begin to see the intimacy and meaningfulness of the sacrament being passed from person to person within the pews. Do we think of Christ’s words to “become as little children” as we see a little child who offers the emblems of Christ to us? Do we think of the prodigal son when someone formerly unworthy to partake of the sacrament now offers it to us? Can we extend forgiveness as Christ did to the adulterous woman when we offer it to or accept it from someone struggling with sin? Do we see how offering Christ to one another becomes an archetype for how to “mourn with those that mourn” or “comfort those that stand in need of comfort”? And can we humble ourselves as the publican in acknowledging our sins while we ask for forgiveness as we accept the emblems from another?
While thinking of this, I’ve been inspired by the relationships I’ve seen the sacrament pass through: child and parent, siblings, couples struggling in their marriage, families struggling with illness, visitors, strangers, and the sinners in all of us. Do we allow these emblems to change us as they pass through us to others? How are our relationships affected as we do so? How can a marriage or family be strengthened or healed by meaningfully passing these emblems to each other? I think it’s significant that the sacrament is never passed to oneself. It is always offered by another to us (even for the priesthood holders blessing and passing the sacrament). The act of repentance, forgiveness, healing, and atonement is always done in the context of a relationship with the other, just as is the sacrament.
In the small area in a pew where my family happens to sit in, I’ve seen a microcosm of this. I am inspired by my children passing me the sacrament and the layers of meaning that go into their offering and my accepting it. I ponder on what it means to see my wife or I offer Christ to our children and their accepting that gift. I wonder what the symbolism means when my wife and I offer the sacrament to each other. And I love to see my daughter pass the sacrament to me. While she may never pass it in the way the Aaronic priesthood passes it between pews, the effect of her passing it to me is no different than if I happened to be sitting at the edge of the pew to receive it from an Aaronic priesthood holder. The latter is done with authority and duty to pass the sacrament to the ward; the former does so with the filial authority, power, and duty only my daughter holds.
In the end, the sacrament is just a ritual with power that begins but must not end in the performance of it. These feelings, examples, and desires must not end within the ritual itself. It is a pattern for our lives. And as we seek to live out the sacrament daily in our interactions and relationships we offer to one another, its power will take hold; even and especially between a father and daughter.
I enjoyed reading this.
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Well written and thought provoking. The title is very much click bait though, which is sad, but perhaps the only way I would have found it in the first place
Thanks Martin. I did chose the title specifically to get people thinking differently. But it also honestly represents the significance of the sacrament to me. Much of discipleship is being open to new ideas and perspectives that make the gospel more powerful in our lives. Seeing the significance of the women and girls who pass the sacrament to us is one way we can do that.
Unfortunately, the title plays into the hands of those who would stir up the saints with doubt and dissatisfaction. Ultimately, each of us needs to be content with the stewardship we are given for the brief time it is given. I no longer pass the sacrament the way I did as a deacon. Nor do I fulfill dozens of callings that have, at one point or another, been mine.
However, I will remember to both receive the sacrament from my fellow imperfect human being and that I freely and gladly give it to the same each week now as it passes up and down the isle.
The title can be interpreted that way. But I don’t think seeing the significance of our daughters participating in the sacrament in the pews right beside us should fuel dissatisfaction. I’m grateful that the feedback I’ve gotten here and as I’ve followed it’s being shared online have been overwhelmingly positive in how people describe this giving them further gratitude and testimony of the sacrament itself. I’m glad it hasn’t largely been used in the way you fear.
I like your comments about a time and season for our service. It’s great how we can share in the work in the church.
johnrpack, those who watch for iniquity will see it. I think it is quite obvious to any who read the article that no iniquity is intended here. That some are offended by this reflects more on their character than Caleb’s.
Well I think it is great that you love your daughter but she will never have the Authority you speak of to pass the sacrament of the Aaronic priesthood but still I here you it is good feeling as a father to know that your family is worthy to partake in the sacrament and to continue to renew our covenants with our father in heaven. but it is also dangerous to lead people astray or to change church doctrine. I am reminded of the temple when Peter ask what is being taught and Satan responds the philosophy of men mingled with scripture. A lot of this is going around in our church instead of being obedient to our first presidency and the revelation they receive from our father in heaven and his church.
Thanks for your thoughts Anthony. Hopefully we can agree that acknowledging the intimate meaning and significance of receiving the sacrament from the person sitting next to you regardless of who they are requires no change of doctrine or policy.
I see lots of possible futures God could desire for us. I’ve also see different modes of passing the sacrament that have existed in the past in the church (see “Proceedings of the First Sunday School Convention of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Nov. 28th 1898 discussing passing the sacrament). Regardless, I look to the inspiration and revelation from God’s chosen leaders to determine the mode we practice today in the unity of faith.
Anthony, your comments make you seem easily offended. It doesn’t reflect well on you, and by extension, the Church. I think it’s uncharitable to imply that Caleb is leading people astray, or attempting to change Church doctrine. He’s just provoking people to think. Heaven forbid we occasionally learn something new!
Thank you for this inspiring article!
Thank you for a very thoughtful and personal perspective on this sacred ordinance. I very much enjoyed this essay as I had never really considered the sacrament service in this light. However, I will from now on as it takes on even more interpersonal meaning each week.
Thanks Larry. That is the intent my wife and I have with this blog: to share our personal perspective on what it is like for us to be disciples and encourage others to see new ways to be disciples themselves.
Thanks for sharing, I am not active in the Church yet I hold faith & respect the Church & it’s members.
Thanks for reading. Mutual respect is so important. And if you ever have any questions, feel free to reach out.
When my grandson was just a little boy about 2 years old, he saw that there was only one more piece of bread in the tray. So broke it in half and handed it to the old man sitting next to him.
That’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Awwwwwwwe ! That’s love and respect! Christlike behavior!
Thank you so much for this inspiring message! I always try to think of the Savior and what He would feel and think. And of course I try to think of how He suffered for me, a sinner who has repented. I am so thankful to be privileged to partake of the Sacrament and will forever be thankful to those who pass it to me from now on thanks to you! Again, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!
Thank you.
As someone who has increasingly come to understand myself as having a sacramental relationship with my religious tradition rather than evangelical, this post really highlights exactly what I find to be central about Sabbath worship: the simple, quiet, movement of the emblems through a gathered community of family, neighbors, and friends.
At the same time, we have reason to grieve for those who are excluded from this simple and profound weekly expression through no fault of their own. When I bow my head in reverence during the passing of the trays, it is them that I am thinking about and praying for.
I agree. This is where the work of mourning with those that mourn and bearing one another’s burdens comes in. There’s so much healing power in the sacrament, if we’ll let it work in and through us.
Amen. Fascinating how the smallest shift in perspective, can create such empowering clarity. We need more of this, and less of that. Thank you ?
Thanks Connie. That’s one of the purposes of our writing this blog: to get people to se new ways to have more faith.
Dear friend, I thank you for this beautiful inspiring message! I am preparing a talk for this week in Sacrament meeting on this very subject! Your insight really inspired me to add a few of your thoughts into my talk. You are an answer to a prayer… Thank you <3
You’re welcome.
Please do share. There is so much need for us to see more inspiring and more beautiful modes of faith.
You have given me a new perspective the passing of the sacrament. A better word of ritual is ordinance.
thank you! you just helped me with my relief society this month. i hope i can translate (i teach in germany) not only the words but the spirit of this beautiful article to my sisters.
Whoa!
Sometimes, the obvious isn’t obvious until we look.
Struggling through the night to forgive the “unforgivable” your message came as a literal asnswer to a pleading prayer.
As my brother, whom I have never met (maybe), I humbly thank you for being a conduit of light into a dark night.
Finally someone gets it. I thought I was the only one. The sacrament needs to be passed and offered not grabbed and help yourself. how can the one next to us learn to serve if we are not willing to be served. Others take away our chance to serve by just doling it all out to everyone like cookies or something. No you are right there is alot more to learn in the symbolism of the sacrament than meets the eye.
loved your post keep it up
Interesting perspective you have given. It’s a very good way to teach our little ones and the youth about thinking of others and the way they can give service. But, the sacrament is about one’s “personal” relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Think of the bread and the Savior saying this is my body and it’s to remind you of his sacrifice of saving you, yes you and everyone in the world, from the grave. The grave…think of that, the grave. Think of the wine (water) and the Savior is saying this is to remind you of my blood that will wash away all your sins, not just you, but everyone on the world. The sacrament should be taken, during that short sacramental service, of the grave and the blood shed for us (not just we Mormons) and everyone in the world who was ever born upon the face of the earth. Is this too deep thinking for our little ones during the sacrament? Probably not, but the mothers and fathers can teach about service within the Family Home Evening lessons, but the very short, sacramental service is not thinking about little children passing the bread and water but you, yourself, should consider your very own lives and how you, yourself, can be better, and then YOU take the bread and water with its true meaning. Bless you, because you appear to be a perfect parent with a perfect family. May your children always please you with their actions…and may you always please our Heavenly Father with your actions. Sincerely, Susan Holladay, 77 years old with much experience behind these aged years.
Thanks for your comments. The sacrament indeed has deep personal meaning and significance. I also think it has communal meaning (even being called “communion” in the New Testament and in other Christian faiths). I see great value in viewing it both ways.
I’m far from a perfect parent, nor do I have a perfect family. We try, together, to live the gospel. We fail daily — sometimes spectacularly. But we also grow daily as we extend forgiveness towards each other. I think that’s all that anyone can hope for.
There are so many ways to be distracted during the sacrament. Whether from outside ourselves, like children crying, noise outside, the other ward in the foyer, to inward thoughts and trails that drag me away from what I should be thinking, aka, a relationship that I had wanted to improve, and feel forgiven for because of a thoughtless comment I’d made, takes us to memories of the past, noticing a spot on my skirt and thinking of what else I might have worn, and even wondering if I got that crock pot turned on … all when I started out with my thoughts in the right place I’m sure I’m not on your spiritual plane, but I find myself still in the phase of not getting distracted at times, and pulling myself back to the subject at hand. I found this article beautiful because the author really helped me see that the forgiveness we seek at a time of remembering the atoning sacrifice of the Savior, is more real and active when we feel love and connection and gratitude for the people He has placed us in a community with … the ward. I’m thankful for this observation. Although not all of us have the perfect self-discipline we seek every Sunday during the passing of the sacrament, as our leaders teach us, we do love the Lord. We do serve in our callings and strive to improve our discipleship. The work of this church is accomplished by a whole lot of people who are on a different point in the path to eternal life. I have to say, that some of the best revelation I’ve had in serving others has come as I’ve sought a closeness to the Lord as I was waiting for the sacrament and thinking of His love for me, mine for Him, and His command to serve one another.
Good article but I agree with Merrill the Sacrament is indeed an “Ordinance.” At times it becomes a “ritual.” As an Ordinance it becomes our personal “key” to the Atonement.
Yes. Ordinance is usually the word used. My audience here is as much non-LDS people as it is LDS people so I tend to use words that people might be more familiar with.
Yes, of course, we Mormons have our own words for things. That’s fine. But when we speak to audiences who may or may not be insiders, it is more important that we communicate in a way that is easy to understand for as many people as possible. Not to do so is uncharitable.
Additionally, the term “ordinance” is an accident of Mormon history that became the convention Mormons started using to refer to sacred acts performed in God’s name, instead of the more common word “sacrament.” The term “sacrament” that we use today to refer to the administering of the bread and water specifically, used to be called “the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper,” because there are actually many sacraments, so they had to distinguish which one was being performed. A sacrament is any sacred act or ritual. Ordinance was a term borrowed from the Old Testament by Joseph Smith and others. It actually means a type of law or decree, but the early church members misunderstood this meaning and began using it in place of the term sacrament. It caught on and eventually stuck. So it is we who actually are the unconventional ones here.
In either case, when communicating to varied audiences it is crucial to use terms that are as accessible as possible. For believers, I believe the novelty of word choice also helps them to get more out of the discussion by thinking of things in different ways than they are used to.
Thank you so much for this article. This was very thought provoking. It’s another way to think about the power of the atonement. I agree that the sacrament is a very personal thing. I believe when we receive the sacrament, it’s as we are receiving it from the Savior. Since we are all trying to become like him, we need to see others that way. The personal aspect of the sacrament is really not about the “passing” but of the “partaking”. So I feel your article is spot on about the passing and making that more personal. The passing of the sacrament is such a simple way of serving one another, but as you pointed out an important act of service. This article will help me to think about how I pass the sacrament to my bothers and sisters in the Gospel. Which is another way to increase my faith and enhance my Sabbath day worship. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Not a “ritual”. Sacrament is an ordinance. It is important that we remember that. Other than that, a very nicely written article.
Charley, please see my comment above about ordinance vs. ritual/sacrament. In addition to the points I made there, I think your nit-picking about the terminology sounds quite Pharisaical, straining out gnats but swallowing camels.
I am a grandma now. It never ceases to amaze me what I have failed to learn, comprehend and ponder in my 60 years of living the gospel. I regret not having this incite when my children were small. This article touched my heart so much I am going to share it with each of my children that have little families of their own now. I will never receive the sacrament from my pew neighbor in the same way. A light has been lit in my mine and in my heart. Thank you for your great incite on this very sacred and holy ordinance.
Karen, I agree with you. Very thankful for this article – I am 86 years old and loved learning and realizing this about the passing of the sacrament.
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We learn line upon line, precept upon precept and I have just learned new precept. Thank you.
I clicked on the article expecting to find another feminist rant regarding women and the priesthood, but I didn’t find that at all (thank you, by the way!). I loved your imagery & could very much imagine the mixed crowd of 5,000 at Bethsaida sitting together, awaiting the words of Christ, passing the baskets of bread and fish, being nourished by the miracle that allowed their bellies and their souls to be fed that day. The Sacrament ordinance, ritual (whatever- it is both) is very much a communion with Christ and His sacrifice, but it it also creates a beautiful connection with others. Nicely done.
Thanks. I love your imagery of the crowd at Bethsaida.
I think feminists have an important role in the Body of Christ too. As long as we can find charity together (despite differences) we will find Christ — even with one another’s rants.
Who may pass the sacrament? Anyone. But only worthy priesthood holders may approach the Sacrament Table to receive the emblems of the Atonement because the Sacrament Table represents the Sacrificial Alter of the Lamb of God. Thereafter, whoever is passing the sacrament to and among the membership is, in essence, representing the Savior in making that offering to us. You intimate that in receiving the sacrament from your daughter and why, as you say we should not take the tray and serve ourselves but we should always receive the sacrament from someone presenting it to us because they are representing the Savior in doing so, regardless of age, gender or status.
It is indeed beautiful when people from any age, gender, or status can represent Christ to us. I find it deeply humbling.
See my reply to Mary on men and women and the sacrament table. As with many things, current implementation is a blend of scriptural mandate, doctrine, policy, and tradition. Maybe things will change. Maybe not. But in the meantime, we can come together and find Christ in this sacred moment.
I totally agree. I was taught this as a teenager over 45 years ago. I was taught that you don’t grab the sacrament tray from the person passing it to you and then serve yourself. As much as possible you serve others and let them serve you.
I do not go to church very consistently I would say in last few years however I do love the church and the gospel I believe without a doubt that Christ is our savior. And I’m grateful for this showing up in my news feed. I feel that this new perspective was needed. I am anxious for Sunday to see the change in myself that you somehow triggered. Thank you for writing this. I remember as a young girl that my father had shown us(myself and 2 siblings) how to properly hold the tray and to give to your neighbor before partaking as your neighbor holds the tray for you. When reading this I was taken back to many good memories of going to church as a child with our family. Thank you for this. It was needed in my life.
Thank you for your kind words Ashley. I’m so happy this helped you find a greater connection. Don’t beat yourself up. Life is complicated and we’re trying our best. I’m sure your ward is greater when you are there. I often think about how the church is as true as I can find or embody Christ in it (a ‘la Adam Miller). When we show up and share these emblems with each other, we are bringing that truth to the church.
Awesome thoughts. Thanks.
I loved this perspective. As far as we know, there is no doctrine from Christ that says that only the priesthood should administer the sacrament, right? They are to bless it and break it . . . but as I was discussing this with someone, he mentioned that the priesthood only passing it is simply tradition, right? There is no teaching that says that only priesthood holders must literally take the bread and water to hand it to the people . . right?
Depends on your definition of “from Christ”. It’s not explicitly stated in the accounts of the Last Supper that we have in the New Testament. The Doctrine and Covenants calls “administering the sacrament” a duty of the Aaronic Priesthood (priests). We believe the Doctrine and Covenants contains the word of God so that could fit a definition of “from Christ”. But doesn’t say anything about passing it. The “Proceedings of the First Sunday School Convention of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” Nov. 28th 1898 discussing passing the sacrament differentiates between “administering” and “passing”:
“Question: Have members not holding the Priesthood the right to pass the sacrament?”
“Answer: You pass it to one another, do you not, all the time, all you sisters and all you brethren? Then why ask the question? The administering of the sacrament is not passing it to the people. The administering of the sacrament is when the brethren offer the prayer in blessing the bread or water. That is the administration of the sacrament. That cannot be done by Deacons, nor by members of the Church who do not bear the Priesthood?”
Elsewhere in that session it is asked who can pass the sacrament:
“Question: Can Deacons pass the sacrament?”
“Answer: Certainly they can, just as well as anybody else, if they are good, steady, worthy Deacons, and if they do it sedately and properly, as the sacrament should always be presented to the people. But do not think there is no one else in the Church but the Deacons that can do it. An Elder is competent to do it, so is a High Priest or Seventy. The Bishop, however, directs in regard to these matters; but the Deacon is perfectly competent when he is directed so to do.”
So this is one origin of the policy that passing is tied to duties of deacon.
But I’m not aware of a canonized “women shall not pass” command from Christ. Interestingly, before the 1950s women sometimes prepared the bread & water as well as the sacrament table before this was recommended to be done by Teachers — again this is not “administering” the sacrament. But today the policy/tradition forbids it.
As with many things, it’s a blend of scriptural mandate, doctrine, policy, and tradition. Maybe things will change. Maybe not. But in the meantime, we can come together and find Christ in this sacred moment.
The blessing and partaking of the symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ is the ordinance. The passing of the symbols is the ritual. The ritual has changed over time. It is in the last 100 years or so that the passing of the sacrament has been assigned to Aaronic Priesthood holders. Originally, it was not thought improper for women to prepare or pass the sacrament.
Thank you for bringing this up Steve. Indeed, women have played bigger roles in the ritual. I imagine they could today should we (as a church) feel that would be good to do. It’s important to see cultural change through time and the humility that comes from that.
In our ward I have observed a Retired couple where the Husband always hold the tray for his wife to partake first and then she holds it for him. But it is his way of honoring her and a wonderful example to me. He usually gets the tray first but does not hesitate to let her go first.
Your article left such an impression on me Caleb! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Sacrament. It made me want to use/think of the Sacrament in the ways you brought to light and I appreciate your vision of what it means to you and can mean to all of us. I know there are often times when I partake of it that I am not giving the ordinance the proper thoughts it deserves during its passing. I’m just in automatic mode and fail to reflect on what it all means to each of us and the Lord’s sacrifice which it represents. Thank you again for your wonderful article!
Great article. The way you have explained this is for members and non members alike. This will be part of a lesson I will give soon….thanks very much
Wow, I’m a bit speechless. I never saw it that way and now will think differently because of it. Gifting Christ to others and receiving Him from others is a beautiful way of seeing it. I am sometimes too hung up in my own repentance process of laying my sins before the altar and making sure “my heart is broken and my spirit contrite”, I have failed to see this beautiful analogy. Thank you for sharing it here
I add my voice to the others here who have said this article has deeply touched them. It has deepened my understanding and the way I will now approach partaking of the Sacrament. Thank you so much for sharing these insights. I’ll be sharing it with my grandson who is currently serving a mission.
Thanks for a very helpful, thought provoking (good thoughts to me) article. I’m always anxious to not “tax” the person next to me to reach or move to serve me, and often take the tray. Better that I move to be served, then continue that service by moving again. Your insight will change me sandtarting nrxt Sunday how I think about the blessing of “passing” the sacrament.
I’ve also heard it suggested the renewal of covenants involved, the centerpiece of our 3-hour block of meetings and indeed our entire Sabbath, is a renewal of all covenants we’ve made including Priesthood ones and, particularly Temple ones which are not technically “renewed” for us when we act as proxy for the living on the other side of the veil. In this sense the enormity of this sacred time and act is magnificently compounded. Bless you for sharing, and for your Christlike responses.
Thanks for a very helpful, thought provoking (good thoughts to me) article. I’m always anxious to not “tax” the person next to me to reach or move to serve me, and often take the tray. Better that I move to be served, then continue that service by moving again. Your insight will change me starting next Sunday how I think about the blessing of “passing” the sacrament.
I’ve also heard it suggested the renewal of covenants involved, the centerpiece of our 3-hour block of meetings and indeed our entire Sabbath, is a renewal of all covenants we’ve made including Priesthood ones and, particularly Temple ones which are not technically “renewed” for us when we act as proxy for the living on the other side of the veil. In this sense the enormity of this sacred time and act is magnificently compounded. Bless you for sharing, and for your Christlike responses.
Thank you! This is why I take the bread and water from the tray while the person next to me is holding it – instead of taking the tray from them, then holding it for myself. I feel a greater connection and gratitude to them. And, if I’m at the end, where the priesthood holder passes it to me, I whisper “thank you” to them
While I do admit that the title did catch me a little offguard, I don’t think that should be the focus of any discussion about this article. I really like your insights on the passing of the sacrament. Thank you for posting this.
What a wonderful article. The atonement does indeed come to fruition when we understand our role as disciples of Christ. Also, let us remember that there is a difference between the “administration” of ordinances as commissioned by the Lord to those who have been called to bear His priesthood and the “passing” or “sharing” with one another the symbols of the atoning sacrifice made by our Saviour and our Father in Heaven. Thank you Caleb for this thought provoking post.
Insightful. Thought-provoking, my current calling in my ward is one that my husband first said he thought was a “made up” calling. I saw it as the ultimate honor. My calling is to clean and press the cloths that are used on the sacrament table. They represent what Coverd Our Savior body when they carefully, lovingly, and sorrowfully wrapped His holy body and placed Him inside the tomb. His body that He had freely sacrificed for all of us. It is such an beautiful and touching honor to be a part of the Sacrament in this way.
This is great Mary. Finding meaning in our service is a form of gratitude.
Caleb, thank you so much for sharing your Godly inspired thoughts and experience in how Heaven has revealed another divine insight of how all God’s children should view the sacred ordinance of the sacrament. Thank you for renewing the view of my heart and adding a deeper meaning to passing and receiving the flesh and blood of our Saviour. Blessed be the God of Heaven for His truths are eternal and His work will never be frustrated by the works of man. He giveth light to those who are faithful and blindeth those who have eyes but cannot see. My experience of the sacrament will forever change. God bless you all and may those who read this article be inspired to share the atonement with their neighbor and always remember it everyday of their lives.
Thank you for your fresh and inspiring thought.
I hope to share this thought with my ward members.