3 Nephi 18:1–14

“In Remembrance of Me”

We regularly have opportunities to partake of the sacrament. In 3 Nephi 18, Jesus taught how the sacrament can bless our lives and instructed how to perform this ordinance. This lesson can help you have meaningful experiences remembering the Savior as you partake of the sacrament.

Helping learners find relevance in gospel truths. Some students may struggle to see how the gospel relates to their everyday lives. Prayerfully seek ways to help students feel that what they are learning is meaningful and useful to their personal circumstances, questions, and needs.

Student preparation: Invite students to ponder how meaningful their sacrament experiences are. Encourage students to ponder what they could do to improve them.

Possible Learning Activities

A strong relationship

The following idea can help students think about what strong relationships are built on. This thought process could help students reflect on their relationship with the Savior and explore ways to draw closer to Him. One way to do this is through the sacrament.

Think of some people you feel really close to and have a strong relationship with.

• What have you or they done to strengthen those relationships?

Now think about how close you feel to the Savior.

• What do you think could help you strengthen your relationship with the Savior?

As you study today, invite the Holy Ghost to teach you how to draw closer to the Savior and strengthen your relationship with Him.

Jesus Christ institutes the sacrament

The Savior was filled with compassion for the people when He perceived their desire for Him to stay with them longer (see 3 Nephi 17:1–6). After blessing the children and the sick and afflicted, the Savior provided a way for the people to always have His Spirit with them.

Read 3 Nephi 18:1–11, and look for what the Savior did.

You might consider having one group of students read 3 Nephi 18:1–7 and another read 3 Nephi 18:8–11. Invite students to think of questions they have about the meaning of the verses they read or the ordinance of the sacrament. If needed, you can find helpful information at Gospel Topics, “Sacrament,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Consider showing the video “Jesus Christ Introduces the Sacrament to the People,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, from time code 0:12 to 6:12 after students read the verses or as they follow along. The following questions could help with a discussion after the video: What stands out to you? How do you think the people felt as they partook? Why? How do you think your experience would be different if the Savior were administering the sacrament to you?

• What did you discover about the sacrament from the Savior’s teachings?

• What does the Savior promise in the sacrament prayers if we always remember Him?

You may consider marking the principle in 3 Nephi 18:7, 11 that as we partake of the sacrament and always remember the Savior, we will have His Spirit to be with us.

When Jesus Christ refers to us having His Spirit with us, He is referring to the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• What are some ways we can always remember the Savior in our daily lives? How can always remembering the Savior help us have the Holy Ghost with us?

• How could having the Holy Ghost with you bless your life right now?

Our experience with the sacrament

Consider writing these survey items on the board or on separate sheets of paper. Students could respond to the survey in their journals; their responses will not be shared.

Think about how your relationship with the Savior could be strengthened if you had more meaningful experiences partaking of the sacrament. Respond to each statement with “always,” “sometimes,” “rarely,” or “never.”

1. I take time before church to prepare for the sacrament.

2. During the sacrament, I try to remember Jesus Christ.

3. My experience with the sacrament influences how I act during the week.

The following activity can help youth create meaningful ways to remember Christ during the sacrament. Consider creating this chart on the board and inviting students to write in answers. Some students may already have ideas for what helps them remember the Savior. Ask students to share what they are already doing to help generate ideas.

Students could also complete a more personal chart in their study journals. They could take pictures of their charts afterward as a reminder for when they next partake of the sacrament.

A more meaningful sacrament experience

• What do I want to remember about Jesus Christ?

  Consider the following:

  • What He suffered

  • What He has done for me or others I know

• How can I prepare for the sacrament?

• What can I do during the sacrament to remember Jesus Christ?

The promises of taking the sacrament

Read 3 Nephi 18:12–14, and look for what the Savior promised those who remember Him and partake of the sacrament.

• What do you think it means to build on the Savior’s rock?

  If students need help understanding what it means to be built on the Savior’s rock, you could explain that it means we make and keep covenants with Him, seek to follow His example, and as a result enjoy the blessings of His mercy and strength.

• How can partaking of the sacrament help us build on the Savior’s rock?

• What can you do to make partaking of the sacrament more meaningful each week?

Testify about how the sacrament can help us build our lives on the Savior’s rock. Consider sharing something you do to make the sacrament meaningful for you. Ask students to ponder and share what blessings they might receive if they remember the Savior while preparing for and partaking of the sacrament.

Commentary and Background Information

3 Nephi 18:7, 11. What can make my sacrament experience more meaningful?

Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Seventy taught:

I invite all of us to consider five ways to increase the impact and power of our regular participation in the sacred ordinance of the sacrament, an ordinance that can help us become holy.

1. Prepare in Advance. …

2. Arrive Early. …

3. Sing and Learn from the Words of the Sacrament Hymn. …

4. Spiritually Participate in the Sacrament Prayers. …

5. Ponder and Remember Him as the Sacrament Emblems Are Passed. …

I testify of the multitude of blessings available to us as we increase our preparation for and spiritual participation in the ordinance of the sacrament. (Peter F. Meurs, “The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 85–87)

To learn about how these five ways can make your sacrament experience more powerful, read or watch “The Sacrament Can Help Us Become Holy,” available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

3 Nephi 18:28–29. What can I do if I feel unworthy to partake of the sacrament?

“It’s important to remember that ‘you do not need to be perfect in order to partake of the sacrament, but you should have a spirit of humility and repentance in your heart’ (True to the Faith [2004], 148). In most cases not involving serious sins, if you’ve reflected on your conduct and humbly and sincerely desire to repent and follow the Savior, you should partake of the sacrament. You can then experience the cleansing effect of this ordinance and renew your covenant to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. If you have any questions, talk to your bishop” (“When Should I Not Partake of the Sacrament?,” New Era, Nov. 2017, 48).

Elder John H. Groberg of the Seventy taught:

What does it mean to partake of the sacrament worthily? Or how do we know if we are unworthy?

If we desire to improve (which is to repent) and are not under priesthood restriction, then, in my opinion, we are worthy. If, however, we have no desire to improve, if we have no intention of following the guidance of the Spirit, we must ask: Are we worthy to partake, or are we making a mockery of the very purpose of the sacrament, which is to act as a catalyst for personal repentance and improvement? (John H. Groberg, “The Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 1989, 38)

Supplemental Learning Activities

3 Nephi 18:1–2. Prepare to receive the sacrament

The following can help students prepare to partake of the sacrament.

In 3 Nephi 18:1–2, we see that the Savior made an effort to prepare the people to receive the sacrament. He first invited the multitude to be seated. If you want to discuss this idea further, it might be helpful to remind students that they can prepare for the sacrament on Sunday by doing things on Saturday. Ask students questions like the following:

“What are some preparations you might make on Saturday so that Sunday can be more Christ-centered?”

“What changes could you make to your routine before church to help you be ready to remember the Savior during the sacrament?”

Sacrament hymns

To help students understand how sacrament hymns can help them remember the Savior, invite students to find a sacrament hymn that is meaningful to them. Discuss the importance of the sacrament hymn and how it can help us remember the Savior. Encourage students to sing the sacrament hymns in church.

Always remember Him

The following can help students generate ideas of what to remember about the Savior.

Discuss what students try to remember about the Savior when they partake of the sacrament. You could also discuss how students could also remember what the Savior has done for them personally.

You could also read and discuss portions of “This Do in Remembrance of Me,” a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 67–69), or watch the video from time code 10:35 to 17:12.

3 Nephi 18:12–14. Build upon the rock

Consider linking 3 Nephi 18:12–14 with Helaman 5:12. Invite a student to read Helaman 5:12 out loud, and discuss the similarities between the two verses. Discuss how taking the sacrament weekly helps make the Savior the foundation of students’ lives.