Having Faith and Humility in Following God's Direction

by Ranzel Ganzon

Good morning dear brothers and sisters. It is wonderful to stand here before you in this District Conference to share a message of what I know have a great importance in our journey towards our eternal goal.

I was assigned to speak about having faith and humility in following God’s direction. In speaking about faith, the Apostle Paul taught that “faith is the substance (an assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Alma made a similar statement: “If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21). Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. We show our hope for something that we haven’t actually seen yet.

The first principle of the gospel is to have Faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which is also the most important requirement as we take the very first step in our journey towards exaltation. The scripture tells us that Heavenly Father decreed a law in heaven, and abiding to this law will always bring us happiness and joy in this life. Blessings will constantly flow as we remain faithful to the very last day of our life.

So, why is it important to show faith when we choose to follow God’s direction? At the end of my mission, I had a wonderful privilege to sit down with my mission president. He gave me a wonderful counsel - to be strong and steadfast to the right course of my journey. The very last words he said still ring bells in my ears until this very day - mostly whenever I feel discouraged and down and feels like the world is all against me.

He holds my hands looked straight to my eyes and said, “Elder Ganzon, Heavenly Father loves you and He will never forsake you. Always have that faith and courage to move forward. Walk to the edge of the light, and then take a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and there you will find your dreams.”

Taking a few steps into darkness requires tons of faith, most especially when we do not know what lies beyond the darkness. It will be very scary most especially when we do not have anything with us to guide us through. But in having faith to the promise that beyond the veil of darkness is a beautiful light that holds our dreams, I know that fear will turn into courage, and that courage will help bring us through.

When I met Sister Ganzon, I was jobless but I was actively helping the church everyday of my life. I was teaching Sunday School and the Institute Class, sometimes as an Elder’s Quorum Teacher; been called to serve as a counselor in the District Presidency, and everyday was a busy day for me serving the Lord in His Church. I enjoyed every bit of my callings; and the reward I only wished for is that someday Heavenly Father will find me a good wife so I can build my own family, and we can serve altogether in the church.

With faith in God, Sister Ganzon accepted my humble offer to bring her to the temple and there be married for time and all eternity. On our first night together, we knelt down and promised the Lord that as long as we live we will pay our tithes. In return, we asked for a favor of a little comfort in life so we too can raise our children well and that we can also extend whatever blessings we have to others who likewise will also need our help.

Then, Heavenly Father opened the windows of heaven to us. Sister Ganzon and I were blessed to be working in Hong Kong. Blessings flow constantly. We are blessed with 2 wonderful sons, and together we all faithfully serve in His Church. We kept our promise to continually help others as He provides us with our everyday needs. The Lord has promised, “I the Lord am bound if you do what I say, but ye do not what I say ye have no promise.”

Oftentimes, the challenge to follow God’s direction is almost next to impossible. The counsel by our leader to our Filipino sisters, for example, of setting a goal in going back home to their husbands and children is almost nothing but impossible to many. As soon as they come to Hong Kong they are instantly trapped as the bread winner and provider of the entire family plus extended families. Even though how much desire they have in their hearts to go home and be once again in the arms of their children, it will almost take a leap of faith for them to do so. Some of the Filipino sisters I know have been working here in Hong Kong for more than 20 to 25 years already. They left their homes when their children were young, and when those children had grown older, married, and begun to have their own children… poor grandma is still here supporting them all. This is a real and sad story for the many.

But for the very few others who have bravely taken a few steps into the darkness, who have faithfully heeded the counsel of the church leaders were able to go home early, set up a good starting foundation, enjoyed the companionship of their husbands and were able to raise up the children according to the plan of our Heavenly Father.

Oftentimes, there are things that we may not understand in an instant. Yet again and again, we are directed to follow the directions of our leaders and our prophets. Their counsel comes as an inspiration from Heavenly Father. It holds the blessings which are about to come. I remember Abraham; he proved himself to the Lord with unwavering faith when he took his son Isaac to the mountain to be sacrificed. A promised blessing was bestowed upon him and his posterity.


Humility also comes as an important part in following God’s direction. To be humble is to recognize gratefully our dependence on the Lord—to understand that we have constant need for His support. Humility is to acknowledge that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. It is not a sign of weakness or fear; but it is an indication that we know where our true strength lies. We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous.

Jesus Christ is our greatest example of humility. During His mortal life, He always acknowledged that His strength comes from His Father. He said: “I can of mine own self do nothing. . . . I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

A proud person will never follow direction. A proud person always tells himself that he is better than anyone else, and that his accomplishment came from nothing but himself. A proud person exalts himself. He thinks he can do anything without God’s help.

But remember the story of the tower of Babel. When the tower they built was almost touching the heavens, God destroyed it and confounded their tongues so as they can no more understand each other.

President Ezra Taft Benson gave a wonderful talk about pride. He said, “Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. (See Mosiah 3:11; 3 Ne. 6:18.) In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride—it is always considered a sin.”

If a man is self-centered, conceited, boastful, and arrogant will it be easy for him to follow God’s direction? No, not at all for he sees himself higher than any beings even on heaven and on earth.

I am humbled to belong to a church were everyone, in spite of our achievements in life, no matter how great it is; everybody treats everyone fairly and the same. In the church there is neither rich nor poor. Everybody looks great.

Victoria 1st Branch where my family and I belong now has a lot of members who are top ranking people in the society and in their own respective workplaces, but their humbleness in serving the Lord humbles me in so many ways.

Faith and humility are the key ingredients in following God’s direction. Without faith and humility, following the counsels of our church leaders is next to nothing. The early pioneers who followed Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley were tested of their faith and humility when they crossed the great mountains of ice and snows leaving behind their dead love ones along the way in shallow graves. Because of their faithfulness and humility to follow the counsels of the prophet, Heavenly Father has given them courage to take a few steps into darkness. Because of their faith a beautiful city was built, a beautiful temple was built, and the church did continue and prosper and blossomed like a rose in a desert.

We do not pray to be spared from the trials of life but we should pray that we may have the strength to rise above them. In so doing we come closer to our Heavenly Father and to that state of perfection we are seeking.

Brothers and sisters, whatever our station in life, whatever our achievements, no matter how great it is, a submissive heart and a humble spirit are still fundamental to our faith. We must guard against letting our worldly success or earthly learning become a substitution for spiritual wisdom and divine direction given through the prophets.

Yes, like Abraham, our faith is going to be tested. We will suffer sickness, pain, death, and tragedy. This is inevitable. This is a major reason why we choose to be a mortal being. We can endure these trials and tribulations because we have the gifts of heaven which will help us see them for what they are.

Let us seek truth, guidance and direction from a loving Father. Let us look to our Father in Heaven and His living prophets and personal revelation for guidance. When the prophets speak, let us listen and obey.

I bear with you my testimony that this church is the only true church of God upon the face of the earth, that He has called upon us leaders to help and counsel us. I know that with faith and humility we will be blessed with the courage that we need as we plunge ourselves in taking a few steps into the darkness, for surely behind it will appear a light. And in that light - lies the fullness of our dreams.

This is my testimony in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Blessings of Studying the Scriptures

by Eszel Ganzon


Good morning dear brothers and sisters. To begin with my talk, I would like to share with you one of my favorite primary songs about scriptures.

"I love to read the Holy Scriptures,
And every time I do,
I feel the spirit start to grow within my heart–
A testimony that they’re true.
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.
So, prayerfully I’ll read the scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I’ll come to understand.
I’ll heed the Lord’s command
And live as He would have me do.
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true."

This song is my inspiration in reading the scriptures. Attending my seminary class greatly helped me in building up my desire to study the scriptures. I found out that the scriptures are very similar to the story books I read. Only that the words are sometimes difficult to understand. I struggle in this area but my seminary teacher is kind enough to help me understand its meanings.

As I search and read the scriptures I feel peace in my heart. I know that my testimony of God and Jesus Christ grows each time I read their stories. Heavenly Father has inspired the prophets to write what they know is true. I have learned a lot of wonderful lessons from them. As I attend my seminary class I feel light and happy the whole day. It helps me to be happy in school and be kind to everyone most especially to my family and friends.

I love studying the scriptures. Someday when I go on my mission I will be better prepared to teach the gospel because I understand it by heart.

The scriptures were given for us to know more about who we are, why we are here on the earth, and where we are going after this life. Understanding the scriptures by heart will make our testimony stronger. We become wiser and understanding to the needs of others. We become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.

I learned from the stories in the Book of Mormon that if we are obedient to God just like Nephi, we will be able to overcome our trials and problems in life. I love the story of Jesus. I love the story of Noah, Moses and Abraham. I love the stories of our modern prophets. I love the story of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum. Because of Joseph Smith’s example of his love to his brother Hyrum, I also learned to love my baby brother.

I know that the scripture is given to us for our daily guidance. It is like our Liahona. When Lehi and his family were lost and know not where to go, they ask for the guidance of the Liahona. Then, the Liahona will show them the right direction. It is very similar to our scriptures. When we have questions or problems, we just have to open our scriptures and Heavenly Father will reveal His answer to us. It’s like a magical book. If we want to talk to Heavenly Father, we pray. If we want answers from Heavenly Father we just have to open the scriptures and there His answers will be.

I know that the gospel is important for all of us. Some people may not understand the importance of reading the scriptures or coming to church on Sundays. These people are lost in life and they do not have a sound understanding of who they really are. It is easy for these people to fall to Satan’s temptations because they do not know what is right.

We are fortunate to have all the words of God in our hands 24 hours each day of our lives. We just have to open it and discovery its hidden power. God has revealed everything that we need to combat ourselves against Satan. It’s a powerful tool given to us by God for our everyday use.

I hope and I pray that as we study and make use of the scriptures, Heavenly Father will not deny us from all the blessings we need each day of our lives. I love the scriptures and I share this testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Own Gethsemane

Good afternoon dear brothers and sisters. I bring to all of you today the blessings and love from our District President and his councilors. I am glad to be assigned here today to meet all of you since this is my very first time to attend a Saturday sacrament meeting.

The message that I was assigned to speak with you is entitled “Our Own Gethsemane.” I though this message is just appropriate since the holy week is coming in just a couple of weeks from now.

As the holy week approaches, we once again join the whole Christian world in commemorating the atonement and sacrifice of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And this event reminds me of one of my favorite hymns in the church which is entitled, “I Stand All Amazed.” The line that really strikes me most every time we sing it is the part that says, “I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine… oh it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me… oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me.”

When I think of our Savior’s love for us, I also think of the unconditional love that comes along with it. He came down to earth to become as human as we are in order to experience and feel the pain and suffering we too are experiencing in this life. He made himself no exception. He carried his own cross to Calvary. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he sweated with blood. He drank the bitter cup so we could drink the sweeter cup. He was beaten with iron and thorns. They spit on him, insult him, and made fun of him. Yet he remained silent. On the cross he prayed to Heavenly Father, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” It was the pure love of Christ that made the atonement possible for all of us.

How many of us right now are carrying our own cross to Calvary? How many people in the earth right now are going through much suffering? Yesterday, I was listening to the morning news on TV. A young distraught mother loaded her 3 little boys, ages 5, 7, and 10, in the car. Then when they reached the sea shore she turns her car and slowly drove straight into the waters. The 10 year old son sensed that something was wrong immediately opened the window, jump out of the car and hurriedly swims back to shore. Finding for the right words, he tried to call help for his family. But it was too late. A few minutes later, they found his mom and his 2 baby brothers drowned dead in the car.

This and many more sad stories are happening now as the world becomes tougher and tougher to live in. A challenge for a young single mother to find time between work and studies, in order to raise 3 young children. A challenge for young Filipino mothers to leave home for many years for the sake of her children’s future. A challenge for husbands to stay at home to raise the children while his wife goes to find a living. A challenge for a child growing up without a mother to hug and cry on when things go wrong.

Inflation, loss of job, caring for an elderly parent, raising wayward children, a sick child, loss of a husband or a love one, getting along with difficult people, adjusting with our employers, drugs and addiction. Each one of us having our own Gethsemane. Each one of us carrying our own cross to Calvary.

How would we handle this? What does Heavenly Father expect from us as we face these challenges? How did our Lord Jesus Christ handled his? Does Heavenly Father expect us to follow the examples of His son?

When the Lord was kneeling down upon the altar of the Garden of Gethsemane he submitted himself willfully to Heavenly Father, subject upon Heavenly Father’s will, and not his will be done. When he was beaten and crowned with thrones, he was silent. On his way to Calvary and on his dying hour on the cross, he forgives.

Indeed, we should make the Lord as our example whenever we are being wrapped up by challenges. We should look up to him for strength and courage. We should trust in him in his promises to us, that he will deliver us from evil, that he will deliver us from bondage and sin. His promise is sure.

So much as I can remember the most difficult challenge I had in my life was when my mother died. It was difficult for me for I was so young then and to have no mother on my side during my growing years was a tough challenge. I have been through a lot of frustrations and difficult decisions in life having nobody to confide with. My father has his own family now and I do not want my problems to be an extra burden to him. I remained silent, forced myself to believe in myself. I know that I can do it. I told to myself that whatever important decision I’ll make in my life I have to make sure that my mother and father will be proud of it.

I grew up believing that God is always on my side. Whatever happens he will always be there to answer my prayers. This is what my mother taught me when I was little, and I sincerely believed in it.

With every challenge and every answer to my prayers, I was able to strengthen my faith in Christ. Indeed he has drank the bitter cup in order for me to drink the sweeter cup.

This coming Lenten season, let us try to remember the role of the Savior in our lives. Let us try to remember his atoning sacrifice for all of us. Let us try to remember and follow his example. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ broke the bonds of death. Just as He took up His body and came forth from the tomb, even so shall all of us enjoy a reunion of body and spirit in the day of our own resurrection.

From Christ we learn to be obedient, even when it is painful, as it was painful for Him in Gethsemane. We learn to serve others, even when it is inconvenient, as it certainly was “inconvenient” for Him on the cross of Golgotha. And we learn to trust in the love of God, even if we might feel God has forsaken us—for when we overcome through faith, these bitter and sorrowful moments in our lives can become like steps on a ladder, leading us into the heavenly presence of God.

All my hope is centered in Christ. He is our Savior and Redeemer. He truly is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. “God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son”

I know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, our savior and our redeemer, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Anchoring our Families to the Rock of the Gospel

Good morning dear brothers and sisters. It is a wonderful privilege for me to be assigned here today in my home branch and to speak as a visiting high council. I bring to you the greetings and love from our District Presidency. We were given a special topic to share as a message with you today concerning the importance of family in the gospel.

Thus, I would like to start my talk with a little story about myself. I was born in a little fishing town in the Philippines. The town is surrounded with lots of lovely and beautiful beaches. Near the center of the town is a docking port where tons of raw sugars are being transported daily by trains to huge cargo vessels to be shipped across the world. My father worked in the dock as a conveyor operator. In quite times my little brother and I would go to the dock to visit our father to watch him work. We thought it was an interesting job that he’s doing. While waiting in the shed at the edge of the dock, our father would bring us a fishing line and some worms to entertain ourselves. My little brother loves fishing, while I just stay there sitting down watching the ships as they come and go.

As a child I wondered on so many things, like how could a ship that is built with tons of iron could stay afloat in the water. And also, one thing I’m really wondering even until now is on how a little anchor could keep hold a ship that is thousand times bigger and heavier than its size and weight.

When the typhoons come and strong winds blow, and the sea turns wild and the waves rough and rugged, tossing the ships to and fro, yet the ships in the port stays in its steady place. The little anchor that lies beneath the sea bed has faithfully done its job to keep hold of its giant master to stay in place. It’s incredible to think how a little tiny piece of iron could keep hold and pull a thing that is thousand times bigger and mightier than itself. I though, whoever had come up with that idea of the anchor has indeed a brilliant mind.

In our world today, families are facing tougher challenges of strong and steady winds. We need an anchor to keep us strong and steady amidst the storm. The Lord has counseled us that we must build our house upon a rock. That when the rain comes and the flood came, and the wind blew, and beat upon our house, and it fell not for it is founded upon a rock.

Modernism is becoming a trend with a danger of pulling our children away from the teachings of God. Gay marriage is already becoming legal in some churches. Pornography is just a finger tip away. The name of God is never mentioned in schools today. Children nowadays are becoming more unaware of the consequences of their actions. When I was a child, the only thing that keeps me away from making serious mistakes is my fear of God. I was taught early in life by my parents and in school that God is always watching over us and that He knows when we make mistake. Today teach that to the children and they think you must have gone somewhere else.

I am blessed with two wonderful boys who knows and fear God. Josh loves to listen to the stories of Jesus. At night before he goes to bed he would ask his mom to read him a bible story. Then he folds the tip of the next story page for tomorrow night’s reading.

Eszel wakes up at five in the morning to catch the first train to his 6:30 seminary class. He runs to church early on Sunday mornings to help prepare the sacrament. He plans to serve a mission when he turns eighteen. One time when my wife and I had a meeting with his teacher, his teacher told us that he is very much different from his classmates. He thought Eszel is very well behaved, respectful and haven’t heard him swear at all. Then his teacher interestingly asks us what our religion is. And we told him that we are Mormons. And now he knows that’s why.

I remembered a saying that goes like this, if you want to change the world, start it within yourself. If we want to start a strong family, we have to start it by building a strong foundation by making the right choices. Choosing the right person to marry, at the right time, and in the right place. In temple marriage Heavenly Father has promised that we and our children, and our children’s children, and their posterity will be blessed as long as they live and remain faithful in Christ. My wife and I have been through a lot of tough and difficult challenges in life, but the only hope and strength that keeps us strong amidst the eye of the storm is our hope and testimony of the promised blessing pronounced by the Lord to us at the holy altar of the temple of God. It is wonderful to know that we have a Father in Heaven who does love us and cares for us.

When I was a child I grew up in a different religion. In the evenings, at 6:00 sharp the church bells tolls and its time for our family to kneel down and pray together. While my father finds it impossible to join us because of his work shifts, my mom would faithfully gather us each evening to say our family prayer. From this constant practice of daily prayer I grew up with a strong testimony of God. I grew up knowing that He is there when I needed Him. I grew up knowing that I should not fear because God is always on my side. The habit of saying a prayer I learned from my mom has become my refuge in my very times of need. The answers to my prayers are the building blocks of my faith in God. I want to teach this principle to my children. And yes, oftentimes I saw them kneeling down by themselves privately whenever they need their Heavenly Father’s help.

Family is the essential unit of our society. In our church we knew that family is an eternal unit. We came from one God’s big own family. Before we came to earth we were organized as families and on the earth it’s our turn and duty with our family to help each other, to bring each other back to the glory of God. We become accountable to each other. We are our brother’s keeper. We cannot go back to face Heavenly Father someday and simply say, oh it was his own business.

As parents we were given the stewardship to raise, train, and to teach our children how to choose the right. As children to our parents, we are commanded by the Lord to keep heed to the counsels of our parents. If we do these faithfully, the strength of our foundation as a family unit becomes stronger. And when the winds come, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon our house, and it fell not, for it is built upon a rock.

I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel in our lives. When we choose the right, our lives straighten up and blessings flow.

I know that our family is a gift of God to us. Whether they are our parents, our brothers, our sisters, our aunties, our uncles, our grandparents, our cousins, wives, husbands, sons or daughters, they are all there given to us to help us grow as an eternal unit of society. We become one with God if we walk hand in hand, supporting each other in times of need. We should be willing to carry each others burden. And yes, we need to love each other despite of each others differences; we just need to be more forgiving, more understanding, and more faithful to each other.

I know that if we do these things, we will enjoy our life with our family. I know that God loves each one of us. He knows us by name. He has given us a prophet to guide us in these last days. He has called upon us leaders to sit down and counsel with us. I know that God lives. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Sacrament - An Ordinance of Renewal

Good afternoon dear brothers and sisters. I bring to you greetings from our District Presidency. I bear witness that they are called of God. They love you, care for you and I saw them kneel and pray for all of you.

In a way of introduction, I am Brother Ganzon. I joined the church 26 years, and a year after my baptism I served a mission in Baguio. And a year after my mission I was married in the Philippines-Manila Temple. I arrived in Hong Kong 20 years ago to work as a design architect. Since then, I was called to serve in various church callings. I served as Hong Kong Island 1 branch president for 5 and a half years. During my service, I learned and knew a lot the difficulty that each one of you sisters are facing during your stay here, most especially being far away from your home and family. I know that coming to church on Sundays brings rest and comfort to your loneliness. Being surrounded by church members is indeed a wonderful blessing.

I was assigned by our district president to deliver to you today a message about the importance of the sacrament meeting.

Sometimes when we were new to the Church we may have wondered why we are invited to come to church every Sunday to partake of the sacrament.

I grew up in another church before I joined this church. Sundays then was just another day for me. It was a good day for being free from school or work. It was the best day to go out for beach outing, watch movies, going out with friends, and many other things that I can’t do during weekdays.

But when I was baptized in the church my Sundays began to have a different meaning. It became a ritual for me to wake up early, say my morning prayer, take an early shower, wear my Sunday’s bests, read my scriptures, and off to serve in the church.

Life for me has a different meaning since then. Life has been more meaningful. My understanding, that when a man is baptized he starts a new journey towards exaltation walking through the straight and narrow path. And often times, it is not that easy. We may fall and stumble along the way. The road to exaltation is rough and ragged. There are humps and bumps all along the way. Perfection is not easy. Temptation is all around keeping us away from our eternal goal. When we sin we fall short of the glory of God which makes it impossible for us to return to His presence someday.

The holy sacrament is a sacred ordinance of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we were baptized, we covenant to do God’s will and to obey His commandments. By partaking of the sacrament we renew all the promises we have made with Heavenly Father and pledge ourselves to take upon us the name of his Son, to always remember him and keep his commandments. When we partake of the sacrament each Sunday we have the opportunity to go through our baptismal covenants again without going down through the waters of baptism. It is a weekly process to cleanse us from our sins. When I partake of the sacrament I felt cleansed again from the mistakes I have done during that week. Again I am ready to face the world without fear that any moment I die my soul is ready to face the Lord spotless and clean.

Over the years, I have participated in many sacrament meetings, and to me they really are more than just another meeting. Partaking of the sacrament provides me with a sacred moment in a holy place. After receiving my priesthood in the office of the priest I had the opportunity to pass the sacrament for the first time in our ward. As I watched the tray go up and down the rows of the members of the Church, I noticed that not everyone approached the sacrament with the same attitude. There were those who seemed to partake of the sacrament just as a matter of routine, but there were many, many who accepted the sacrament with great reverence.

In section 59 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord has commanded us: “And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day” (D&C 59:9).

One of the first commandments given to Adam was that he should worship the Lord and offer the firstlings of his flocks as an offering to Him. This ordinance was given to remind the people that Jesus Christ would come into the world and would offer Himself as a sacrifice.

“And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.

“And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

“And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth” (Moses 5:5–7).

From that day on until the time of our Savior, Heavenly Father’s children were commanded to offer sacrifices. The night before he was crucified, the Savior instituted the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to help us remember Him and the Atonement He made for all mankind.

The Book of Mormon, in 3 Nephi, chapter 18, gives us a detailed account of the Savior’s administration of the sacrament to the Nephites:

“And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.

“And while they were gone for bread and wine, he commanded the multitude that they should sit themselves down upon the earth.

“And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat.
“And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.

“And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.

“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.

“And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.

“And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled.

“And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you” (3 Ne. 18:1–10).

His instructions are very clear that we should be willing to do what He has commanded us to do. As the Doctrine and Covenants tells us:

“It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus” (D&C 20:75).

The purpose of partaking of the sacrament is, of course, to renew the covenants we have made with the Lord.

Long time ago, beautiful music was played during the passing of the sacrament. The church leaders soon stop that practice because members minds were centered on the music rather than on the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior. During the administration of the sacrament, we set aside the world. If we were to become casual in partaking of the sacrament, we would lose the opportunity for spiritual growth.

As parents, we have the responsibility of teaching your children the importance of attending sacrament meeting weekly. It should be a regular family practice.

May we always remember Him and keep His commandments, which He has given us to fulfill the purpose of life and the hope of the eternities that are to come. This is the Lord’s work in which we are engaged. God lives. Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.