The Nephites Learn of the Sacrament:
How Does Partaking of the Sacrament Help Me Remember My Baptismal Covenants?

This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19).

Following His resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to the Nephites on the American continent and taught them many gospel truths. During this visit, He taught the people how to prepare and partake of the sacrament.

The Savior broke the bread, blessed it, and commanded that the disciples who were with Him partake of it. He said, “And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.

“And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.” (3 Ne. 18:6–7.)

The Savior also blessed the wine (we use water now—see D&C 27:2) and commanded the disciples to drink of it. When they had partaken of it, Jesus said, “And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.” (3 Ne. 18:11.)

Jesus Christ taught the disciples that when they partook of the sacrament, they were renewing their baptismal covenants to always remember the Savior, to take His name upon them, and to keep His commandments.

Today, we participate in the same sacramental ordinance that Jesus taught then. It is important to remember that each Sunday we have the opportunity to renew our covenants and to think about our Savior while the sacrament is being blessed and passed. Because we are given this special opportunity, we should show Heavenly Father our gratitude by being reverent.

Ten-year-old Jesse Brewster of Lakeview, Oregon, made a step toward keeping his baptismal covenants by following the commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.” (See Mosiah 13:22; Ex. 20:15.) While Jesse was at the store with his mother, he saw a candy bar he really wanted but did not have any money to buy it with. He knew that his brother had some money saved in his room, and when he got home, he took some of that money, went back to the store, and nearly bought the candy. He realized at the last minute how wrong that would be. He put the candy bar back and bravely confessed to his brother.

By being honest, Jesse showed that he was willing to live by the covenants that he had made when he was baptized. He learned from this experience that “following what I know is right is always better than a candy bar.”

Color the flannel-board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the story “The Nephites Learn of the Sacrament.”

Jesus passing the wine to the Nephites after blessing it; Partaking of the sacrament; Jesus passing the bread to the Nephites after blessing it.
(Illustrated by Beth Whittaker.)

Painting by Jerry Thompson