3 Nephi 18:8-16

After having given the disciples and the people bread, the Savior gave the disciples wine.  After they had partaken, they were instructed to give it to the multitude. They drank until they were filled.

“John W. Welch has noted that an early Christian document, Didache 10:1–2, 5, enjoins prayer ‘after being filled’ during communion. In this connection, it is interesting to see that similar thoughts are expressed on both occasions when the resurrected Christ blessed the sacrament for the Nephites. In 3 Nephi 18:8–18 we read that the Nephites partook of the bread and wine and ‘were filled’ (3 Nephi 18:9), after which Jesus instructed them to pray.”[1]

After ending the Sacrament service, the Savior told them they were fulfilling His commandments.  The taking of the bread and wine (water) is a witness we are willing to serve the Lord and keep His commandments. “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass” (Psalms 37:5).

“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” (Psalms 112:7).

“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments” (Psalms 119:10).

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).

Those who repent and are baptized will partake of the Sacrament. The wine (water) do it in the remembrance of His blood which was shed for us.  This will be our witness to the Father we will remember Him.  If we remember Him, we will always have His Spirit to be with us.

His words to the Nephites would become a part of our Sacramental service as the blessing of the water.

“O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen” (Moroni 5:2).

Blood representing the atonement of Christ goes back to Moses. “And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord” (Exodus 30:10).

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11).

“For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned” (Mosiah 3:11).

“And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men” (Mosiah 4:2).

By keeping His commandments, we will be built on a rock.

“For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round” (D&C 3:2).

Those who fail to keep His commandments are built on a sandy foundation.  If we build on this sandy foundation, when we face the challenges of life, we will fall.  Hell will be ready to receive the sinner.  “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18).

“Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:5).

“When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die” (Ezekiel 18:26).

If they keep His commandments, they will be blessed.  He told them to watch and pray always. “Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness” (Alma 34:23).

“What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always lest that wicked one have power in you, and remove you out of your place” (D&C 93:49).

They should pray to be able to not give into the temptations of the devil.  If they do, they will not become captives of the devil.

In their churches, the Nephites should pray as He as prayed.  The Savior is the light, and He has set the example. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalms 27:1).

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 18:12).

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).

“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.”[2]

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[1] Notes and Communications: The Nephite and Jewish Practice of Blessing God after Eating One's Fill, Angela M. Crowell and John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] “That I Might Draw All Men unto Me,” Elder Dale G. Renlund, April 2016 General Conference.