The Restoration of the GospelWidtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Religion
The Restoration of the Gospel
Widtsoe, Osborne J. P.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Once, the devoted parents of Israel brought their children to the
Master, that He might touch them. The disciples, careful of their
beloved Master, rebuked the parents; but He said in His divine way:
"Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not for
of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you. Whosoever shall
not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter
therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and
blessed them."[J]
[Footnote J: Mark 10:13-16.]
These, then, who were young and without sin--like whom are those in the
kingdom of God--the Master did not lead into the waters of baptism.
He took them in His arms and blessed them. And in accordance with
this pattern, the following instructions were given to the Prophet,
respecting the manner of receiving little children: "Every member of
the Church of Christ having children, is to bring them unto the elders
before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of
Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name."[K]
[Footnote K: Doc. and Cov. 20:70.]
Again, in the same comprehensive revelation given at the organization
of the Church, the Lord gave specific directions for the administration
of the sacrament. As He Himself did when He met with His disciples at
the Last Supper, so He would have His people continue to do. The Lord
says in the modern revelation: "It is expedient that the church meet
together often, to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord
Jesus; and the elder or priest shall administer it--he shall kneel with
the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying--'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.'"
Afterwards the wine should be administered in the following way: "He
shall take the cup also, and say--'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.'"[L]
[Footnote L: Doc. and Cov. 20:75-79.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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