"The Priesthood will now bless the sacrament"

[Anonymous]

Roadrunner wrote:

Saying “holders of the Aaronic Priesthood will now administer the Sacrament” seems legalistic and mechanical.

But it’s not any more mechanical and legalistic than “the Aaronic Priesthood will now administer the sacrament.” It’s literally three extra words. 😆

We do often refer to the Primary children as “the Primary” or the RS sisters as “the Relief Society.” It’s a very common linguistic shortcut. However, in neither of those instances are you equating the people with the authority that they hold. The Primary is just a group of kids age 3-11 but the Priesthood is an actual thing. It’s not simply the name for a group of men age 12+ or 18+. I guess I feel like it’s a important enough distinction that it’s worth spending the extra 2 seconds to get it right.

There was a conference talk that mentioned this recently – I think it was Oaks? I’ll look it up and link it here.

[Anonymous]

Joni wrote:

The Primary is just a group of kids age 3-11 but the Priesthood is an actual thing. It’s not simply the name for a group of men age 12+ or 18+.

With the way we do ordinations to the priesthood it can be a group of men age 12+ or 18+. In the Book of Abraham we read:

Quote:

I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed.

It feels like a bad Yakov Smirnoff joke but in LDS church priesthood appointment seeks you. Ever tried being a 12 year old male that didn’t want the priesthood? It can be an uphill battle.

[Anonymous]

Our Bishopric simply says that the sacrament will be blessed and passed.

I like that.

[Anonymous]

Joni wrote:

Roadrunner wrote:

Saying “holders of the Aaronic Priesthood will now administer the Sacrament” seems legalistic and mechanical.

But it’s not any more mechanical and legalistic than “the Aaronic Priesthood will now administer the sacrament.” It’s literally three extra words. 😆

Joni, thanks for pointing this out, I will think about the best way to transition from callings to the Sacrament. It hadn’t occurred to me that referring to the priesthood isn’t ideal. I appreciate you starting this thread.

It reminds me of a time I was instructed for about 5 minutes by my ward music chairman about referring to the music as “hymns” vs “songs” and the “intermediate hymn” instead of “rest hymn”. It was a big deal to her, she was correct, and it took virtually no effort on my part. I am a music person and I knew she was correct but my gut reaction was that it doesn’t really matter. But it does. Words are important and language has meaning. And pride is difficult to overcome.

[Anonymous]

There was a GC Priesthood session a few years ago where one of the talks said this very thing. The “Priesthood” does not pass the sacrament, men who “hold” the priesthood do. I’m too lazy to search for it, so I’ll leave it for homework for you all!

[Anonymous]

It’s a cultural habit.

It’s the same reason that wherever you go, whoever is acting as voice during the sacrament prayers always use the exact same cadence and intonation. When I did it, I would make a point to alter intonation and emphasis, and afterwards someone would come up and tell me they appreciated I had actually memorized the prayers.

But honestly, the announcement is like a big surprise to everyone: “The priesthood will bless and pass the sacrament. Be sure to come next week to see who gets the task next time!”

Or “‘the time is now yours for the bearing of testimonies, until five past the hour.” Next month will they say three past the hour? Or maybe six past the hour?

[Anonymous]

Reflexzero wrote:

Or “‘the time is now yours for the bearing of testimonies, until five past the hour.” Next month will they say three past the hour? Or maybe six past the hour?

I like the “past the hour” thing (it’s 10:35 for us) because otherwise it seems people don’t know it’s time to sit down and shut up so we can sing, pray, and be done. No lingering longer for me! Seriously, I cringe when someone who I know is long winded gets up at 10:30 or anyone gets up 10:34. Our ward is small (less than 100 average attendance) and there are short gaps as it is – if you have something to say get up and say it earlier. I have actually seen people turn around to the bishop and ask what time they need to be done (to which the answer could have been about 10 minutes ago). Our meeting is always 9:30-10:40. Always.

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

I have heard them say “We would like to thank the priesthood for the dignified and reverent manner in which they passed the sacrament”.

As opposed to what, stuffing the bread into some of those t-shirt launching air cannons and pouring the water into Super Soakers so they don’t have to actually walk around the chapel?

Aw crap…now that I’ve had that idea…

[Anonymous]

Reflexzero wrote:

Or “‘the time is now yours for the bearing of testimonies, until five past the hour.” Next month will they say three past the hour? Or maybe six past the hour?

IMO, it might as well become “The time is now yours for the bearing of testimonies until whatever time the last person with keys needs to go home. On the hour, the rest of us are leaving, though.”

[Anonymous]

I do want to give a shout out that it’s difficult to be in a bishopric and conduct meetings. For most men it’s stressful and they don’t receive training for it and many aren’t prepared for it. Since I’ve had to do it I realize while I have the responsibility to figure out how to do it right, I have compassion for those who mess up. My SP is a polished man with a lot of experience in the church and in the corporate world and I’ve heard him make some royal flubs. He gets nervous and I give him a pass.

[Anonymous]

I don’t mind the way it is, but I would prefer the following:

At the beginning: “Let us now prepare to receive the sacrament.” The important element of the sacrament is not the administration of it, it is the reception of it; not who carries it, but who it is carried to.

At the end of the sacrament: say nothing. Priesthood holders do not need special recognition for their service. I appreciate that the people performing the ordinance and carrying the bread and water take the sacrament last. They do this as a service to others.

At the end of the meeting: thank all those who have participated in the meeting, including those who administered the sacrament, the speakers, the choir, the accompanist, the chorister.

[Anonymous]

OK, you all failed your homework assignment.

Elder Oaks, April 2014 Priesthood session

Quote:

The Lord has directed that only men will be ordained to offices in the priesthood. But, as various Church leaders have emphasized, men are not “the priesthood.” Men hold the priesthood, with a sacred duty to use it for the blessing of all of the children of God.

So next time somebody thanks “the priesthood” for the fine manner they administered the sacrament, show them this quote. I did in my ward, and they changed for about 6 months, but are now back in their old habits.

[Author]

Posts