Quote:
Originally Posted by Athanasias
Thanks for your help. Yes I agree with you that this is where we also make a spiritual sacrifice to God also but is the Eucharist itself considered to be a propitiatory sacrifice that is offered up to God on behalf of the people by your priest? You see this is what I was trying to get at. I am trying to understand your priesthood better and its functions in relation to the liturgy.
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In the Catholic tradition, the priest supposedly brings Christ down to the altar to become the tokens of the eucharist. Those who participate eat what is believed to be the actual blood and flesh of Christ. The entire process is a reenactment of the sacrifice of Christ - not symbolic, but supposedly literal.
By contrast, the priests in the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are authorized servants of Christ who say a blessing upon the emblems of the Lord's Supper. When they do this, they place those who participate under specific covenant obligations. Those in the congregation covenant to remember Christ, keep His commandments, and take His name upon them. In return, the Lord promises His Spirit. The emblems are given in remembrance of Christ - not physically changed into anything but bread and water. They are emblems of a covenant, and the Priests have authority to facilitate the renewal of that covenant. They are not making a sacrifice in behalf of the people - the people bring their own repentant sacrifices to the table. The Priest does not stand as an intermediary between the congregation and the Lord.