Sacrament

I enjoyed studying the sacrament prayers this week in class.  They are found in Moroni  4 and 5.  It was interesting because Brother Griffin mentioned how they are repeated so often.  They are probably the scriptures we hear the most because we hear them on a weekly basis at church and we always make sure they are read word-for-word.  Then Brother Griffin said that he thinks those are Heavenly Father's favorite scriptures.  If Heavenly Father had a favorite scripture, He would want us to hear it often and hear it exactly how He wrote it.  That really put the sacrament prayers in a new light for me.
We then talked about how it is important that the bread comes first.  There is bitterness in life that can be eased by the sacrament.  However, when you drink something bitter and then drink water after it, it becomes more bitter.  When you eat bread before you drink water, the bitterness gets sucked out and then the water can cleanse.  I thought that was very symbolic and made me grateful that I have the opportunity to partake of the sacrament every week.  Life is less bitter and easier when I have the chance to reflect on what the Savior has done for me.
I used to not understand the sacrament as well, but now I am so grateful for the chance to renew my baptismal covenants every week.  We learned that the baptismal covenant is external.  Everyone can see that we are getting baptized.  However, the renewal of the covenant is an internal and very personal procedure.  I love that the sacrament is a time for me to ponder and reflect.  It is a time when I am personally able to make goals and covenants with the help of my Savior.  It is a time that really does bring me peace.
I have a testimony that as we do the things listed in the sacrament prayers, we truly will receive the blessings listed as well.  We may have His Spirit to be with us, which is the greatest gift imaginable.  I am grateful that Heavenly Father has provided us with the sacrament because I know it is an opportunity to grow closer to Him.