Put Your Heart into the Sacrament

How can I make the sacrament more meaningful to me?

This lesson was one of my favorites to prepare for because it has such a universal and important message.  Everyone could use to make the sacrament more meaningful in their lives.

I started the lesson with asking the class about a time when someone did something especially for them.  Whether it was a present they gave or an act of service.  I asked them how it made them feel.  The Savior completed the Atonement for each of us individually.  When we partake of the sacrament we remember Him and renew the covenants we made with Him at baptism. 

Elder Runlund said, "Whatever our current direction or distance to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we can choose to turn toward Them and draw closer to Them.  They will help us.  As the Savior told the Nephites following His Resurrection:  "And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, ... And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me."  To draw closer to the Savior, we must increase our faith in Him, make and keep covenants, and have the Holy Ghost with us.  We must also act in faith, responding to the spiritual  direction we receive.  All of these elements come together in the sacrament.  Indeed, the best way I know of to draw closer to God is to prepare conscientiously and partake worthily of the sacrament each week."

I also shared a story from Elder Runlund that went right along with making the sacrament more meaningful in our own lives.

We discussed what we could do to make the sacrament a more sacred experience and specific ways on how we could make it more meaningful.  One of the ways we talked about is reading hymns during sacrament specifically the sacrament hymns.  I had each person in the class share their favorite sacrament hymn and we read a few out loud.  Even though it is a little strange at first to read them and not sing it, I feel like reading the hymns silently or out loud help you grasp the words even more.

We then talked about what we can do to prepare for sacrament.  We read 3 Nephi 9:20 and D&C 59:8-12, and remembered that when we take the sacrament we are remembering and renewing the covenants we made at baptism.  We also watched a video "Upon My Holy Day-Getting Closer to God" (you can find it at that link, it's the second video listed).  

To help get this point across I was going to give each a chocolate heart so they would remember to 'Put their HEART into the sacrament!'  If you didn't want to do the chocolate heart you could also do mini heart mazes-I love this idea because you could give it on Fast Sunday or it's a great break from a sugary treat.

Find the free printable of "Put your HEART into the sacrament!" HERE!

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