James J. Hamula: The sacrament and the Atonement

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Elder James J. Hamula, of the First Quorum of the Seventy, speaks at the Sunday morning session of general conference, 5 October 2014. (Mormon Newsroom)

SALT LAKE CITY — Elder James J. Hamula, of the Quorum of the Seventy, taught of the significance of the sacrament and the Atonement in the Sunday morning session of the 184th Semiannual General Conference.

Replacing animal blood, Jesus instituted a new ordinance for God’s covenant people in Israel, Elder Hamula said. Christ also instituted the sacrament when he visited the Americas and again at the outset of the Restoration.

“(The sacrament) needs to become more holy and sacred to each of us,” Elder Hamula said.

Jesus Christ himself instituted the ordinance to remind and redeem, Elder Hamula taught. Elder Hamula then went on to explain the significance of the bread and water that Latter-day Saints partake of each Sunday. Even the sequence, he said, is not consequential.

Elder Hamula continued, teaching that every individual will become soiled with sin and transgression. Through the partaking of the sacrament, he said, followers are taught how we may be made clean from sin and transgression.

“Through the sacramental prayers, we express our acceptance of this doctrine of Christ and our commitment to live according to it,” he said.

Using the sacramental prayers, Elder Hamula explained the covenant-making power of the sacrament. Sacrament-takers covenant to keep his commandments, take upon them the name of the Son and are therefore promised to have the Spirit to be with them.

Elder Hamula closed with his testimony and an invitation for members to remember and claim all blessings of the Atonement.

“May we all receive the sacrament next week, and each week thereafter, with deeper desire and more earnest purpose,” Elder Hamula said.

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