The Sacrament-The Lord's Supper

by Lynette Robinson

The Sacrament-The Lord's Supper

This morning as I was studying our Relief Society lesson I am reminded of the Passover as connected to the Lord's Supper and how God sent plagues on the people because Pharaoh wouldn't release the Israelites who were in bondage.

The thought came to me that as the people in this day become more and more wicked, the Lord has sent "plagues" of sorts.

 

Modern Day Plagues

1:  The U.S. spends more on medical care than any other developed nation yet has a lower life expectancy.  I think we probably spend more than any other nation. reference
2: Violence, crime, brutality and dishonesty are prevalent.
3: Mob rule is becoming increasingly prevalent
4: Good is being called evil and evil is being called good.
5: Persecution is escalating.  If you don't believe me just post a comment on social media condemning  same sex marriage, support a candidate who tries to do what God wants, or any number of hot topics these days.
6: The family is under attack.  reference  reference
7: Our government is crumbling before our very eyes and full of corruption.
8: Welfare and Medicaid  pay better than working. reference   People would rather let someone else pay their way.

Are we in bondage like the Israelites?  I think, Yes!!!

What can we do?

Did not heed the Prophet

Moses told everyone, the children of Israel and the Egyptians, that God would send a plague.  He told them to paint the blood of a first born ram on the entrance to every home.  Many were obedient and were spared but many did not and suffered immeasurably as they held the lifeless bodies of their husbands, wives and children wishing they had acted on Moses' words.

God had warned them.  They had been warned. Simple?  Effective? Lifesaving?

 

 

 

 Was it Too Easy? 

Heeded the Prophet

Are we heeding our Latter-day Prophets?  Does it seem too simple that worshiping together weekly, (D&C20:75) keeping the commandments, temple attendance and charity are too easy and cannot possibly make much of a difference in the long run?

The lepers refused to wash in the river because it made no sense that such a simple act could cure such a horrible disease.

Kings 5:13 "And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it?  How much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?"
The leper refused to wash in the river because it was too easy.

Many leave so much on the table, joy and  prosperity in this life and eternity with God, because they make no connection between faithful obedience  and joy now and in the eternities.

How do I view the Sacrament?

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."  D&C130:20-21

Each Sunday, as we celebrate the Sacrament as we have been commanded ( D&C20:75) "It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus", The Lord's Supper, may we show a sign to the Lord and to ourselves that we are His, and that we understand the significance and the power contained in the words of the Sacrament Prayer.  Bread  and Water

Please accept this message in the spirit to which it is given.  I have a testimony that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and restored the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter days with all of the truth that had been previously been lost, I know the Thomas S Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth at this time.  I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen


Related Topics
Blessings of the Sacrament

A Big Wakeup about Food Storage

Do You Really Know What's in Your Emergency Food Supply?

Nearly a month ago I was invited to a Thrive Life demonstration.  I knew very little about dried food and not a lot about the differences.  I have some 25 year storage life food set aside for when T.S.H.F. but something has been nagging at me lately regarding my emergency preparedness that we have been counseled to have but I couldn't quite put my finger on the problem.

Now, I do believe that God helps us to find the path that is best for us and I tried hard to patiently trod the unknown journey He had for me.  He kept telling me to work at "a reasonable pace" and my efforts would be enough for what lies ahead.

I have been given so many amazing experiences and people to learn from.  I could feel a spirit of peace and faith growing inside but since I closed my retail bridal store I hadn't felt a strong purpose in what I am supposed to do in the future.  That is, until now.

A week ago I attended a soap making class taught by a very talented woman, Teresa Earley.  There were about a dozen other like minded women there and one of the sweet ladies shared her story about living in New Jersey through Hurricane Sandy and the aftermath of no water, electricity, grocery stores, etc.

She said the first few days were kind of fun as they proceeded to eat all the ice cream and treats from the now non functioning freezer but over the next three weeks of  "tribulation" they went through a plethora of emotions and feelings, lots of crankiness, that she related directly to eating storage food instead of what they were accustom to eating in their daily routine.

She knew some changes were needed and now she and her family have returned to Utah and are making more of an effort to align their food storage with their daily food routine.

I was touched by her story which was part of my path.

A couple of days later, actually last Friday and Saturday I attended the Thrive Life convention in Layton Utah thinking it would be a great opportunity to learn how to better use and rotate my food storage.  My mom had previously told me that she opened a  20 year old #10 can of powdered egg and it was disgusting and inedible.  What will you do if you have scared and crying children and nothing to feed them because you have no idea what exactly is in that can on your shelf?

I did a really brave thing yesterday.  I went to my basement and opened 12 (yes, 12) cans of 25 year life food storage.  What i discovered was interesting.  First, I made me an omlet, like I learned how to prepare at the Thrive Life convention.  It was delicious.  Not all of my dried foods rehydrated as quickly as Thrive Life foods but it was a good start.

Last fall I purchased several cans of food at our local grocery store.  I also have foods from the LDS storehouse and a lot that I have dehydrated over the past couple of years so I have a pretty good start.  I came home with a half a dozen or so cans and pouches from Thrive Life and am awaiting my first shipment so I can start teaching classes.
  
Not All Are Equal 

Freeze Dried Strawberries

I was happy to find that I had two different brands of strawberries, one from Augason Foods (purchased from my local grocery store) and one from Thrive Life. 

If you look at the picture here you will see that the one on the left looks more like a real strawberry.  As I opened both cans, the one on the left smelled more like a real strawberry and when I tasted it even dried it tasted better.  Now I realize that taste is relative so I invite you to attend one of my classes to see for yourself.

Some Newly Opened Cans are Not Full.

Surprise Opening

Level of Food in Newly Opened Cans

Another comparison I noticed was the level of the contents in the can.  The Thrive Life can was nearly full while the other was only about half full.  I opened a can of powdered honey from Augason Farms and found it was also only about half full.

I showed my discovery to my mom when she was here today and she commented that you could believe that you have more food stored than you do which could be devastating in an emergency but that you need double the storage space with half full cans on your shelf.  Maybe they mean for you to re-hydrate them in the same can.