Sharing Communion / Sacrament Amongst Denominations

[Kawazu]

Howdy,

An acquaintance and I were discussing the concept of Christian Communion; we were wondering why the ritual is not shared more broadly across denominations? For instance, would a Catholic partaking in a Protestant Communion received the same spiritual renewal, (symbolic covenant), as he would receive at his customary parish?

I appreciate any responses. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Kawazu

[Kawazu]

Bump.

[skippy740]

Your answer is "Yes and No".

The difference is in the authority and deeper meaning that LDS have towards the sacrament.

First, we believe that our baptisms are done with full priesthood authority coming directly from the Savior.

The sacrament is a renewal of the same covenants we make at baptism - also prepared, blessed and passed under the same authority.

While others who are not yet baptised are not told that they CAN'T partake of it, it doesn't have the same meaning behind it. They partake in remembrance of Christ (as we all do) but it doesn't offer the renewal of covenants - because those covenants haven't yet been made through the ordinance of baptism through the proper priesthood authority.

However, since that is all a Catholic or Protestant knows from their own experience, they should feel similar feelings as they did in past services they've partaken in the past. That should hold some meaning for them.

[Kawazu]

Originally Posted by skippy740

Your answer is "Yes and No".

The difference is in the authority and deeper meaning that LDS have towards the sacrament.

First, we believe that our baptisms are done with full priesthood authority coming directly from the Savior.

The sacrament is a renewal of the same covenants we make at baptism - also prepared, blessed and passed under the same authority.

While others who are not yet baptised are not told that they CAN'T partake of it, it doesn't have the same meaning behind it. They partake in remembrance of Christ (as we all do) but it doesn't offer the renewal of covenants - because those covenants haven't yet been made through the ordinance of baptism through the proper priesthood authority.

However, since that is all a Catholic or Protestant knows from their own experience, they should feel similar feelings as they did in past services they've partaken in the past. That should hold some meaning for them.

Hi,

Thank you for your response. To review, non-LDS communion is a remembrance ritual. For LDS people it is a remembrance + a renewal of one's baptismal covenants, which are:

When a person enters into a Latter-day Saint baptism, he or she makes a covenant with God. Baptism is a"sign…that we will do the will of God, and there is no other way beneath the heavens whereby God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved" (TPJS,p. 198).

Candidates promise to "come into the fold of God,and to be called his people,…to bear one another's burdens,…to mourn with those that mourn, and…to stand as witnesses of God…even until death" (Mosiah 18:8-9). A person must enter this covenant with the proper attitudes of humility, repentance,and determination to keep the Lord's commandments,and serve God to the end (2 Ne. 31:6-17; Moro.6:2-4; D&C20:37). In turn, God promises remission of sins, redemption,and cleansing by the Holy Ghost (Acts 22:16; 3Ne. 30:2). This covenant is made in the name of the Father,the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The baptized can renew this covenant at each Sacrament meeting by partaking of the Sacrament. This continual willingness to remember Christ and to keep his commandments brings the Lord's promise of his Spirit and produces the "fruits" (Gal.5:22) and "gifts" (D&C46) that lead to eternal life.

Say a Latter-day Saint were internalizing his covenants while partaking in the communion of another denomination. Then, would the communion and the sacrament be accomplishing the same effect?

Cheers,
Kawazu

[skippy740]

Originally Posted by Kawazu

Say a Latter-day Saint were internalizing his covenants while partaking in the communion of another denomination. Then, would the communion and the sacrament be accomplishing the same effect?

Cheers,
Kawazu

No, it wouldn't. The reason being is that we, as LDS, do not recognize the authority of other denominations for officiating in this ordinance. We only recognize the authority of "those who have been called of God by the Laying on of Hands by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."

Articles of Faith 1

We believe this to be the Aaronic Priesthood (or Levitical Priesthood) restored and conferred to Joseph Smith by John the Baptist. Then, it was through Joseph Smith who ordained others to different priesthood offices (deacon, teacher and priest) who all participate in the Sacrament.

Doctrine and Covenants 13

Now, can someone of LDS faith partake of the Communion of another faith? I would leave that as a personal decision. My feeling would be no. And the reason is because of the reasons above - that we do not recognize the authority, so why would we partake of a "false" sacrament? (This sounds worse than it is intended, and is not meant to cause any offense. But if you believe in a certain way, why would you stray from that way?)

Also, as LDS, we are commanded not to partake of wine or other strong drink. Some other denominations use wine instead of water. While the purpose is good, we are still commanded not to partake... so there is another reason why we may not participate in the ordinances of another denomination.

I hope this helps?

[OneEternalSonata]

Say a Latter-day Saint were internalizing his covenants while partaking in the communion of another denomination. Then, would the communion and the sacrament be accomplishing the same effect?

No, as we believe the priesthood authority found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is required to make the "renewing of baptismal covenants" possible.

Edit: Oops, replied just a little too late.

[prisonchaplain]

As FYI, I'm pretty sure the one LDS fellow who attended my "General Christian" chapel did not partake in communion. Neither do Catholics, if they know their church's rules. Protestants generally share "open communion," where all those who declare themselves Christians may partake. A few churches have "closed communion," though--believing the church leadership is supposed to "protect the table" from the errors described in 1 Corinthians (taken the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner).

[Kawazu]

Howdy,

Let us imagine that the LDS Christian, being a priesthood holder, recites in his mind the blessing for the sacrament. At this point, would the Protestant grape juice renew the LDS baptismal covenant?

By the way, thank you all for your replies. PrisonChaplain, thank you for the tidbit about Protestants and Catholics not accepting each other's communion. I was previously unaware.

Have a great day, everybody.

Cheers,
Kawazu

[skippy740]

Originally Posted by Kawazu

Howdy,

Let us imagine that the LDS Christian, being a priesthood holder, recites in his mind the blessing for the sacrament. At this point, would the Protestant grape juice renew the LDS baptismal covenant?

While the ordinance is performed by the Aaronic Priesthood, it is presided by the President of the Aaronic Priesthood in each ward - in this case the Bishop.

The Bishop holds the keys to the Aaronic Priesthood for his ward - and therefore, the Sacrament is blessed under the direction of the Bishop.

So one cannot simply prepare, bless and pass their own sacrament. It must be done under the direction of the Bishop. The Bishop also directs when the sacrament can be done for those who are unable to attend sacrament services on a regular basis.

So, this is why you can't simply attend another denomination's services and expect to renew your baptismal covenants.

[Moksha]

I think that for Catholics, this sharing would extend only to those who are Orthodox or Anglican/Episcopalian.

My guess is that if someone from the Church of the Foursquare Gospel was to wander into PC's local group they would be okay, but that is just a guess.