The sacrament has come to mean more in my life. There have been several realizations:
Though I am a divine creation, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23.) In short, I require a Redeemer.
Christ was the one perfect sinless Son sent to earth to rescue me.
There is hope as I reach to grasp His hand. (Moro. 7:41.) Once I came to more fully appreciate these concepts, I found several practical steps that helped me make the sacrament more meaningful. Indeed, to feel the Spirit, preparation is vital. We strive to do the following:
To avoid mental distraction during the sacrament, we try to prepare the home for the Sabbath so as not to worry about "going home to a mess." As a reward for doing this before Sunday, we enjoy a family activity or video on Saturday nights.
On Saturday, plan the Sunday meal. Do all preparation possible so that your meals are prepared in simplicity.
Prayerfully think about the prior week. Ask questions like, "What do I need to repent of in my relationships at work, at home and with the Lord?" and "What did I leave undone, that I need to include in my life next week?" Make a mental note to consider these things during the sacrament service.
Mend fences so that the Spirit can illuminate your mind. (3 Ne. 11:29-33.)
If I gain a particular insight and/or receive direction, I quickly jot down a note or two to implement in my life. These jog my memory so that after Church, when I have more time, I can fully develop these and seek the mind of the Lord. (Mosiah 7:33.)
We are not perfect in these areas, but these practical steps help in the preparation for the sacrament. As a result, I have found my week to revolve around the partaking of the sacrament. It is a springboard to the rest of the week. — Scott B. Sessions, Cedar Hills, Utah
