I’ve been thinking about how to improve my Sabbath day delight (in compliance to LDS leaders recent counsel) — I have noticed that the great cathedrals have these padded kneelers, where the congregations kneel during prayer. Maybe that would increase our spirituality during the sacrament prayers. Maybe we really are supposed to kneel. Doctrine & Covenants 20 seems to indicate that we as a church should kneel to partake of the sacrament: God revealed to Joseph Smith that the elder or priest shall administer it – he shall kneel with the church and pray–
75 It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;
76 And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying:
77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
78 The manner of administering the wine—he shall take the cup also, and say:
79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine 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.
Well, of course I am not going to do this, as I would certainly stand out as a freak in my ward at church. But since the LDS leadership has brought this up — making the Sabbath day a delight and how to improve our sacrament meetings — this seems to be one option they have missed. I read that some wards have banned food and electronic devices — but that seems silly — what are you going to do — have a basket at the door where everyone drops their cell phone, ipads, and wonderful candies wrapped in cellophane (that my diabetic brother-in-law always takes with him)? Another bishop, of a ward I was visiting, said he will only shake your hand in the foyer and not in the chapel. And no visiting once you come through the chapel doors. Also, kind of funny that Elder Nelson said ” So let’s throw away these rules and remind ourselves often: ‘What sign do we want to give to God?’”
If the sacrament is an ordinance, maybe we should kneel to receive it. But then again, I am just a lowly primary teacher and have no say in these things.
Carlow, Carlow Cathedral, Ireland Bottom feature of the right stained glass window in the north transept, showing St Alphonsus kneeling before the Most Holy Sacrament. One of his best known works is The Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament. Created by Franz Mayer & Co. in the 19th century.
