Although there wasn't
much on the schedule this week it ended up being busy for us here in the
offices. On the days where we thought we didn't have much to do things
kept on happening but it's nice to be kept on your toes.
I
have also been able to review a number of the conference talks and ones
that especially meant a lot to me. I have been yearning for months to
get more out of partaking of the sacrament and it just so happened that
there were two conference talks given on that very subject. The
sacrament is something I have taken my whole life and unfortunately I
don't feel like I have a lifetime's worth of knowledge or understanding
on the subject nor have I always partaken of the sacrament for what it
really is. Fortunately I have had experiences, like going without it,
that have helped me recognize its importance.
The
talk that really helped me gain a better appreciation for the sacrament
was that by Elder Hamula of the Seventy. I often try to reflect on the
Atonement of Jesus Christ as I partake of the sacrament to help me
"feel" it a little more. Sometimes I have even felt like I am forcing
myself because my strong desire to get more out of it. That hasn't
always brought the desired result even though my appreciation for the
Savior and His Atonement is above all else. Elder Hamula began his talk
by speaking of the Sacrament in regards to the Savior and His sacrifice
and was I listening attentively because it is a subject that has been on
my mind. Then he said a phrase the really grabbed my attention, "The
sequence of bread first and water second is not inconsequential." He
then began to explain the symbolism of the sacrament not just in regards
to the Savior and His sacrifice but in the great scheme of things, or
in other words, the Plan of Salvation. This opened my eyes to a whole
new world of meaning and purpose in the sacrament which I could
explore.
What
helped me really appreciate that phrase was his explaining of partaking
of the bread first to come to the realization that Christ resurrected
and we too will be resurrected. He then said, "The
fundamental question facing all of us is not whether we will live but
with whom we will live after we die." I really loved that because those
kind of questions of the soul motivate me to do good and change. It
reminds me of Alma in Alma chapter 5 when he asks the people to which he
is preaching a number of questions to get them thinking of their actual
state and how they will feel upon entering the presence of God to be
judged. And it is for that that we partake of water. It represents His
blood which was shed for us and through which we may become clean. If we
do so we can know with a surety with whom we will live - our Father in
Heaven. I know that I want to be in His presence and I want my family to
be there as well.
I'm
grateful for that understanding I gained during general conference
which fortified my testimony of the sacrament. I was able to share that
testimony last Sunday after an unfortunate circumstance in church. There
was a disputation between two sisters and one of them being a recent
convert. After the class the recent convert left crying to the bathroom
which no one noticed because she left quickly to avoid anyone from
seeing here. I was lucky enough to see it and positioned myself near the
bathroom as we waited for everyone to take their seats in the sacrament
room (sacrament meeting being the last meeting here). She walked out of
the bathroom and headed out the door so my companion and I followed
closely behind to talk to her for a minute. We were able to help her
feel a little better about the situation and I was able to share my
testimony on the importance of the sacrament. I felt the assurance of
the Spirit and she looked more calm. She decided to leave anyways
because she was embarrassed but
promised that she would come back and that she would get over it
quickly. A number of members have been able to visit her this week and
she is doing a lot better; she even helped in preparing a Relief Society
activity yesterday so things are looking good. I'm grateful that I was
able to share a sincere testimony with her which I hope she could feel.
I'm even more grateful for the great members we have here that work hard
in helping the new members of the ward because, honestly, they have
been doing most of the work in helping this sister.
I hope that all are doing well!
Love,
Elder Rainock
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