Eucharist/priesthood

Athanasias · #1 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 06:42 PM

Hi Guys! Peace be with you always!

I understand that LDS have priests, Aronic and Melchizedek. What I am trying to understand is your position on the Eucharist. I would assume that since you have a priesthood then you would view the Eucharist as a real sacrifice. Just curious?

Thanks and God bless you,

In Jesus through Mary,
Athanasias

Stampede · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 06:56 PM

just a quick question...Are you from RF.com?

but back you your question. by Eucharist i'm assuming you mean what we call the sacrament, the breaking of bread and water (wine for catholics).

There is the Aaronic priesthood and the Melchizedek, The Aaronic priesthood has the authority to perform the outward ordinances like the Sacrament and Baptisms. while the higher priesthood is in authority over the whole of the church and administers in the more spiritual ordinances such as blessing the sick, and temple ordinances.

We believe it (the Sacrament to us, or Eucharist to you) represents the Body and Blood of Christ. in rememberance of his sacrifice. we view this as a renewing of our baptisimal covenants to always remember him and keep his commandments. and in return we recieve the blessings of always having his spirit with us and to have his guidance in all things.

We don't view the ordinance of blessing and passing the sacrament as a sacrifice, we view it as just that, blessing and passing it by those who are in authority to do so. what it represents in our minds in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

THIRDpersonviewer · #3 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 07:00 PM

I might also add an emphasis on representation of the body and blood of Christ. It is not like the Transubstantiation that Catholics believe.

Athanasias · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stampede

just a quick question...Are you from RF.com?

but back you your question. by Eucharist i'm assuming you mean what we call the sacrament, the breaking of bread and water (wine for catholics).

There is the Aaronic priesthood and the Melchizedek, The Aaronic priesthood has the authority to perform the outward ordinances like the Sacrament and Baptisms. while the higher priesthood is in authority over the whole of the church and administers in the more spiritual ordinances such as blessing the sick, and temple ordinances.

We believe it (the Sacrament to us, or Eucharist to you) represents the Body and Blood of Christ. in rememberance of his sacrifice. we view this as a renewing of our baptisimal covenants to always remember him and keep his commandments. and in return we recieve the blessings of always having his spirit with us and to have his guidance in all things.

We don't view the ordinance of blessing and passing the sacrament as a sacrifice, we view it as just that, blessing and passing it by those who are in authority to do so. what it represents in our minds in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Hi and thank you for your answer. I was from RF .com. Have I ever dialogged with you before? there was a great knowledgeable LDS over at RF .com that I once debated. His name I forgot but he was awesome. I did a one on one with him if you go there you may be able to still find it unless they deleted it.

Athanasias · #5 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THIRDpersonviewer

I might also add an emphasis on representation of the body and blood of Christ. It is not like the Transubstantiation that Catholics believe.

Thank you. Yes So you guys view the Eucharist as merely symbolic. Just bread and wine representing the body and blood. This sounds alot like the baptist view of the Lords supper.

God bless you!

puf_the_majic_dragon · #6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanasias

Thank you. Yes So you guys view the Eucharist as merely symbolic. Just bread and wine representing the body and blood. This sounds alot like the baptist view of the Lords supper.

God bless you!

Superficially, you can make a lot of comparisons between the LDS church and other denominations. I usually find most protestant or restorationist christians comparing us to Catholics, oddly enough.

The sacrament tokens (bread and water/wine) are symbolic, yes, but the ritual itself has a much deeper meaning. If you want to know what it means to us, you can read verses 8-10 in Mosiah 18

Moksha · #7 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanasias

I would assume that since you have a priesthood then you would view the Eucharist as a real sacrifice. Just curious?

Thanks and God bless you,

In Jesus through Mary,
Athanasias

No, we view the Eucharist as being substitutionary. Our exact words are "In remembrance of the body and the blood of Thy Son".

Moksha · #8 (**permalink**) 05-06-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stampede

...by Eucharist i'm assuming you mean what we call the sacrament...

The Sacrament of the Eucharist. Also known as Communion. LDS use the term Sacrament to refer to the Sacrament of the Eucharist, and use the word ordinance to refer to the other Sacraments.

puf_the_majic_dragon · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanasias

I would assume that since you have a priesthood then you would view the Eucharist as a real sacrifice. Just curious?

Just another thought - in partaking of the Sacrament, this would the ritual moment where we make our sacrifice to God. Where the Levitical law requires animal sacrifice at specific times and for specific reasons, we believe that in Christ's fulfillment of that law we are to offer a new sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit ( Doctrine and Covenants 59 ) and the Sacrament would be (should be) when this takes place.

Stampede · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanasias

Hi and thank you for your answer. I was from RF .com. Have I ever dialogged with you before? there was a great knowledgeable LDS over at RF .com that I once debated. His name I forgot but he was awesome. I did a one on one with him if you go there you may be able to still find it unless they deleted it.

no i don't think i ever did a 1 on 1 with you. but we have dialogged.

I'm glad that you are interested in knowing more about us. My wife was catholic untill february and out of repsect for her parents i attented a few of thier services and it helped me understand my own faith better, helped me understand certain scripture and strengthened my own testimony as a Latter-day Saint.