Sacrament Prayers Part 3

Our relationship with God established, we proceed to ask for specific blessings. These blessings are quite possibly the most significant we could possibly ask, which is probably why it is done by the power of the Priesthood. The blessings are first, to bless, and second to sanctify, the bread and water to the souls of all those who partake of it.

To bless is to bestow favors. When we consider any blessing, whether it one we perceive as a personal blessing or a blessing that has been widely acknowledged, we are really recognizing God's hand in our lives. God bestows upon us blessings which we have deemed ourselves, according to our conduct, worthy to receive (D&C 130: 20-21). They can be anything from an extra bit of money that shows up when we need it, to the feeling of forgiveness that permeates our hearts. Thus, to bless is to give extra help. So what could possibly be meant by "bless...this bread (or water)"? I sincerely doubt that the Sacrament bread and water gives us any added nutrients or health benefits.

To sanctify, quite simply put, is to purify. We are sanctified by the blood of Christ, through the Atonement. Having paid the price, we are set free from the effects of sin, and our sins become as white as snow, as Isaiah so eloquently puts it. But, again, this is in regards to us personally, so what possible benefit could sanctifying the emblems have? Personally, I've never seen a fungus growing in my cup.

The key, then, is the phrase, "to the souls." That little two-lettered word denotes aiming toward something, or, in this case, someone. Specifically, you. The Sacrament is wrought with symbolism. The emblems remind us of something specific about the Savior's sacrifice. The bread represents His body, which he took again the third day in order to make possible the resurrection of mankind. The water represents His precious blood, which was shed both in the Garden and on the cross, during which times the Savior made possible our spiritual return to the Father. So, it is not the actual bread and water which are blessed and sanctified, but rather the actual sacrifice of the Savior. His sacrifice is blessed and sanctified to us, or given to us for our benefit. Those are the blessings that the Lord is already willing to grant, if we will only ask for them.

I think the next time I take the Sacrament, I will think differently about it.