President Downs has asked that I take a few moments and talk about what the Sacrament means to me. Before I do I would like to ask that you put down everything else that you are doing for just a few minutes; you turn off your cell phones, you put down the scriptures - yes put your scriptures away, put down the Ensign or anything else that might distract you; and you just listen. If you will listen I promise you that you will feel and learn something today that will be of great worth to you.

The Sacrament - today is unlike most sacrament meetings that you have gone to. As a matter of fact it may be the only time in your life were you will attend Sacrament meeting and the talks will be given before you partake of the Sacrament. This is done today to call special attention to the ordinance that we will perform later today.

Typically ordinances are done to teach us very sacred principles. So what principles can we learn from the Sacrament prayer?

A few weeks ago in our ward you will recall that the Elder giving the prayer offered the prayer but he left out the word “always” in the final line of the prayer; he simply said “that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” When he was done he looked at the Bishop who responded that it was not done perfectly so he would need to do it again. Which he did. as a matter of fact he did it three times before it was done perfectly. He had made the mistake - he did not even know what he was doing wrong.

Making a mistake in this case is nothing to be ashamed of. Sin of Omission Symbolic that we all will make mistakes from time to time and we all need to repent. No mention in minutes that the prayer was offered 3 times. Satan frames mistakes as no big deal ; or you have gone too far - verses Lords

Why is the Lords standard so high - why does the prayer need to be perfect?
In school he would have gotten 90 out of 91 words correct or 98.9% an A by most grading standards. The world would teach us that is fantastic. World standard would tell us that the lord loves us no matter who or what we are; however D&C 1:31 degree of allowance. No unclean thing READ Mos 6:57-60 we are to be like him that is the standard, no short cuts, no exceptions, he cannot change from day to day, Example of what he expects of us. He is perfect that is our goal, Power comes with perfection - life without rules is chaos.

What is required in order to get the prayer offered correctly?
Repeated until correct, 2nd, 3rd chance… no limit, no public humiliation just work at it until perfect. Bishop does not bend the rules Symbolism? Lord wants us to return - a process. First series at BYU - mistake beaten down - learned going to get beat; bishop is like a good coach, left in - pulling guard tackle for a loss

What is the Bishop responsibility in making sure that the prayer is offered correctly?
Watch over the reading of the prayer, if there are mistakes not caught by the priest the Bishop helps the Priest correct them. Symbolism? Bishop is here to help us do what we cannot do on our own. Call into office; not easy

Would you like to know how a Bishop feels during this process?
Hard not to just say that is ok and move on, love and concern; no embarassment; distract from meeting - while meeting the Lords standard. Symbolism?

How does the law of justice play out in the Sacrament prayer?
Standard is perfection, repeated until it meets the standard. Symbolism? We will either meet the standard at judgement or suffer the consequences. Read D&C 19:15-18

How does the law of mercy show itself in the Sacrament prayer?
Allowed to repeat the prayer until correct. Symbolism? The law only applies to those who repent - we must do the work. 2 Ne 5-7

What can we learn from the pattern of perfection in the Sacrament prayer?
The Lords expects his standards to be meet - use of atonement to do so Symbolism?

What role does the Bishop play in being the one that decides if the prayer was done correctly?
If the Bishop says it was good then it is good - we do not need to discuss further. Symbolism?

When another is presiding over the meeting; the responsibility to see that the prayer is done correctly is still left to the Bishop. What is the importance of that?

John 6: 53 - 68
How does the Atonement work?

Now I will readily admit that I do not understand all of the complexities of how the atonement works. I do know this - that is does work - I have seen it’s effects over and over again in your lives, and in my life.

At this point in my life I suppose that I have a strategic advantage from many of you. I have the opportunity to sit with you; to council with you; to understand your heartaches, your challenges, to discuss your individual weaknesses - and then to see the atonement absolve them, remove them from your lives.

I get to see those who have strayed for a time return and partake of the sacrament once again. I get to see the light in your eyes as I see you partake of the sacrament again many for the first time in what for them has been a long journey. So when you see me heading a tear on the stand during the sacrament; it is because of the knowledge that I have in the plan of redemption. It is that sure knowledge that God is happy with you; that knowledge that you are on the right path.

so what does the sacrament mean to me? It means the atonement; it means despite our imperfections - no matter how many time we try and fail there is absolute hope; it means beginning anew; every week, it means trying, it means getting back up, it mean being willing to do what the Lords would have me do,

I do know that God does live - that he is a working God, and I am confident that if he had the knowledge to create us and the world upon which we live then he certainly has the knowledge to work out the logistics to remove our sins. I pray that you might re-evaluate how you participate in the sacrament. That you will take a few moments to reflect on what you can do better to prepare and participate in the sacrament.