The Spirit of the Sacrament

By Sister Te Aroha Wyllie

During the Covid-19 pandemic, a small group of Saints from Port Hedland, Western Australia, waited patiently for the sacrament.

It was a difficult time, as we experienced unprecedented changes in the branch. First, the closure of our chapel and our missionaries left Hedland. The void created was widening as the pandemic took hold of the world. However, we listened to the counsel from our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, and waited for relief.

We stayed steadfast, prayed fervently, fasted obediently and strengthened our homes. But the restrictions on family meetings made it difficult for many of us to have the sacrament. Sadly, several sisters like myself, who do not have priesthood holders in our homes, continued to wait.

We yearned to hear the Lord’s sacrament prayers and to partake of His sacred ordinance. Every Sunday, we participated in the Zoom programme, connected with our beloved missionary couple and members of the branch. Meanwhile the weeks went by and there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

However, the Lord was mindful of our needs and eventually respite came as the pandemic was contained in Western Australia. The restrictions were lifted, and five people were allowed to be in a house at one time.

On 2 May 2020, our ministering brother Peter Bezemer organised for the sacrament to be served to the Saints.

My granddaughters, son and I met for the first time and we waited patiently. Our faithful priesthood holder, Brother Bezemer, brought the spirit of the sacrament with him. He knew that he couldn’t use the chapel sacrament cups or tray, so he created a 3D printed portable sacrament kit.

Peter has a speech impediment and my son, Joseph, is disabled but that did not deter them. They adhered to the ordinance and blessed the bread and water in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, and it was administered accordingly.

Over the next four weeks, Peter and Joseph faithfully visited and served the sacrament to 12 Saints in three different homes. As quoted by Sister Anita Bowen, “Don’t judge them because of their disabilities but look at them as sons of God”.

The pandemic might have created havoc throughout the world but in our small branch, it has brought us closer together, as we waited patiently for the Lord’s sacred ordinance, His sacrament.