- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
Ok class, today we will discuss philosophy regarding blessing the Sacrament. As we know, the Sacrament is considered a very sacred ordinance within the LDS Church. Therefore, Bishoprics, the CHI, and members alike are very careful that it’s done in a way which respects the ordinance. So, here is a case study for you to respond to:
“A Bishop and two counselors sit on the stand in Sacrament meeting. There are no High Councilors or Stake Presidency members in the meeting. A priest will bless the bread, and a member/Elder in his forties will bless the water. It comes time to bless the sacrament, and the priest blessing the bread mis-speaks the second last line of the blessing on the water. The Bishop corrects him, and he starts from the beginning. This happens two more times until he gets the prayer right, starting at the beginning each time. Then the person blessing the water takes over. English is a second language for this elder, and he keeps making mistakes at different points in the prayer. He has started from the beginning of the prayer six times, and has just made another glaring error in the blessing. “
Answer as many of these questions as you like:
1. What are the broad objectives in overseeing the administration of the sacrament, particularly in reference to the blessing of the same? Which gospel principles bear on this situation?
2. How do you feel the Bishopric has handled the situation so far?
3. If you were the Bishop, would you ask the priesthood holder blessing the water to repeat the prayer a seventh time?
[Note: This actually happened. Please forgive the attempt to be cute by making it a classroom environment]SilentDawning wrote:1. What are the broad objectives in overseeing the administration of the sacrament, particularly in reference to the blessing of the same? Which gospel principles bear on this situation?
A. One possible objective is to maintain order in the church. To some people, “order is the first law of heaven”.B. Another possible objective is to guard against heretical “improved” renderings by requiring textual accuracy.
C. Another possible objective is to maintain peace in the ward (appease the sticklers).
D. Another possible objective is to survive the meeting and be merciful.
SilentDawning wrote:
2. How do you feel the Bishopric has handled the situation so far?
I think he did fine with the young fellow, perhaps. But after two failures with the older fellow speaking a second language, I think he needed to walk over and whisper to the fellow to proceed again with no more starts, but with the bishop at the side to prompt any needed immediate corrections.
SilentDawning wrote:
3. If you were the Bishop, would you ask the priesthood holder blessing the water to repeat the prayer a seventh time?
I might ask him to do so in his native tongue so I can’t correct him.😆 I would have accepted his honest effort and attempt and called it good, and let the lord sort it out in the next life. In cases where there is concern about multiple attempts, or after the first instance of an incorrect attempt, I favor having the priest / administrator who is not saying the prayer place his hand on the shoulder of the person saying the prayer, and squeezing the instant the person makes a mistake. That way, the person can repeat only what was said incorrectly, without having to start all over again – and without the congregation even noticing what has happened. I also favor going as slowly as is needed to not make mistakes – no matter how slowly that is.
I also favor coaching people who are saying it for the first time – prior to the actual ordinance occurring.
I also favor letting small mistakes go, if they don’t change the meaning of the prayer significantly.
I also favor having someone whisper the prayer to someone who can’t read – one word at a time, if necessary.
Just like with baptism, one mistake happens. Even two mistakes happen. Three is a failure of planning and leadership – in one way or another.
Hard for me to comment. I personally find little in the way of benefit in rigid ordinances or prayers. Yesterday we had the Elder’s quorum administer the sacrament, and a recent adult convert blessed the water. The writing on the card was a little too small, and he had a hard time getting through it. It got the point where he was getting really frustrated and saying “Oh man!” and laughing out of exasperation and embarrassment when he messed up. He finally got through the prayer but even then made at least three noticeable mistakes (but none of them “doctrinally” objectionable). The Bishop let it go and we carried on.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.