Does Taking The Sacrament Renew Temple Covenants?

[Cobalt-70]

Frankly, while I think the idea of "renewing covenants" is perhaps a useful shorthand phrase, I don't think it is really possible, from a legalistic sense, to renew a covenant unless the covenant has been destroyed. When you sin, you are not destroying your baptismal or temple covenants. You are still bound by the New and Everlasting Covenant--it's just that you are in breach. It's like a contract. When you breach a contract, the contract is not automatically rescinded unless the other party (God, in this case) rescinds it. So how can you "renew" a covenant that has not lapsed? If we say that it is possible to renew the baptismal covenant without God having rescinded it first, then we are undermining that covenant.

So rather than saying that we "renew our covenants" in the Sacrament. Perhaps we should say the covenant of sacrament is similar to the baptismal covenant. I also don't think that the Sacrament "renews" any temple covenants for the same reason. However, the "witness" we make in the sacrament that we will obey the commandments is similar to the covenant of obedience made in the temple.

[Bernard Gui]

Depends on what you think renew means:

renew

,

restore

,

refresh

,

renovate

,

rejuvenate

mean to make like new.

renew

implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new<efforts to

renew

the splendor of the old castle>.

restore

implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss<

restored

a fine piece of furniture>.

refresh

implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power <a

refreshing

drink>.

renovate

suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding <the apartment has been entirely

renovated

>.

rejuvenate

suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance <the change in jobs

rejuvenated

her spirits> (online Websters)

If our baptismal covenant has faded or been degraded, we renew it by partaking of the sacrament.

I have no problem with that.

Bernard

Edited May 25, 2012 by Bernard Gui

[Bernard Gui]

Been thinking about this. Thanks for all the comments.

Baptism and the sacrament are ordinances of the Aaronic priesthood.

The endowment and sealings are ordinances of the Melchizedek priesthood.

The Aaronic priest has no authority to administer the ordinances of the higher

priesthood.

Bernard

[Cobalt-70]

Been thinking about this. Thanks for all the comments.

Baptism and the sacrament are ordinances of the Aaronic priesthood.

The endowment and sealings are ordinances of the Melchizedek priesthood.

The Aaronic priest has no authority to administer the ordinances of the higher

priesthood.

Good point.

[Cobalt-70]

If our baptismal covenant has faded or been degraded, we renew it by partaking of the sacrament.

I have no problem with that.

I think that a covenant is either fully in force, or not in force at all. I don't think you can be "half baptized." So I don't think your baptism can degrade lower than its full potency.

[zerinus]

Tonight at a stake conference meeting, one of the speakers claimed when we take the sacrament

we renew all our covenants, including temple covenants. My understanding is that renew our baptismal

covenants. In the temple, there is no renewal part of the ceremony. There is no mention of the temple

or of "all the covenants" in the sacramental prayer. Any comments?

Bernard

The most important purpose of the Sacrament is to serve as a reminder of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, with the promise extended that if we will always remember Him, we will always have His Spirit to be with us. The key to this I believe is the word "always". I think it literally means "always"--i.e. every waking moment of our lives. The promise that we should "always" have His Spirit to be with us is contingent on our "always" remembering Him. To the extent that we don't, we will not. Of course, remembering Him without at the same time keeping His commandments would not be of value--if it was indeed possible.

I think the word "willing" is also significant. It implies that the Lord acknowledges that at times we may fall short, through the weakness of human nature; but provided that we have the "willingness" in our heart, the Lord will acknowledge our good intentions, even if in practice we may fall short of perfection. "Taking upon us His name" means willingness to be identified as His, or another way of putting it, as "Christians". We identify ourselves as "Christians" by taking upon us "His name". I agree with those who say that the Sacrament is not so much a "renewal" of our covenant, as a reminder of, or recommitment to those covenants.

Edited May 30, 2012 by zerinus

[bballpsychologist]

From my perspective, one is either clean or not. I might be wrong, but I get the impression that the cleansing comes through participating in ordinances and taking covenants. Part of the repentance process is an action on our part. If we do not take upon ourselves the covenants, and live these higher laws, we cannot be truly cleansed of our sins.

As I see it one becomes clean from his own personal sins through baptism (both water and fire) and he becomes clean of the blood and sins of others through the performing of temple ordinances. Joseph Smith quoting Matt. 23:35-36 said, "Hence as they possessed greater privileges than any other generation, not only pertaining to themselves but to their dead, their sin was greater, as they not only neglected their own salvation but that of their progenitors, and hence their blood was required at their hands." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 222-23)

[bballpsychologist]

Frankly, while I think the idea of "renewing covenants" is perhaps a useful shorthand phrase, I don't think it is really possible, from a legalistic sense, to renew a covenant unless the covenant has been destroyed. When you sin, you are not destroying your baptismal or temple covenants. You are still bound by the New and Everlasting Covenant--it's just that you are in breach. It's like a contract. When you breach a contract, the contract is not automatically rescinded unless the other party (God, in this case) rescinds it. So how can you "renew" a covenant that has not lapsed? If we say that it is possible to renew the baptismal covenant without God having rescinded it first, then we are undermining that covenant.

So rather than saying that we "renew our covenants" in the Sacrament. Perhaps we should say the covenant of sacrament is similar to the baptismal covenant. I also don't think that the Sacrament "renews" any temple covenants for the same reason. However, the "witness" we make in the sacrament that we will obey the commandments is similar to the covenant of obedience made in the temple.

Agreed that a covenant does not need renewing unless, say a member was excommunicated or the like. I don't think it would be off to say, however, that we renew our commitment to our covenants, which is what I think of when I hear the term "renew our covenants." I'm pretty sure none of us keeps all of our covenants all of the time, which is why we would need to renew our commitment to what we have promised. Anciently, breaking an oath or a covenant was about the worst thing you could do. I think this is part of the reason ancient Israel came across as so brutal or savage. The offering of sacrifices was originally done by individuals offering the sacrifice and not the priests of the temple. It was instructive. As the individual would slit the throat of the animal and cut it into pieces they had a graphic visual reminder going forward of what they were offering and what was to required of them as the animal was symbolic of themself.

[alanf]

My thoughts on this are based on an article by Matthew Clayton found at http://rsc.byu.edu/book/export/html/3655

The sacrament renews our covenant relationship with the Lord and points us toward the temple. Each gospel covenant depends on our commitment to be obedient, as we do this we shall receive the Holy Ghost who will purify us and fill our bodies with light. All gospel covenants are closely associated. For example, according to the JST of the Bible, (JST, Genesis 17:11),the Jews circumcised boys at eight days of age to point to the baptismal covenant that would come when they were 8 yrs old.The JST demonstrates that all ordinances and covenants are bound together, with one pointing to the next.

Gospel covenants & ordinances are designed to be sequential, like stepping stones allowing us to cross from one place of existence to the other.

Elder David A. Bednar added this important point

on how each gospel covenant is associated : “The baptismal covenant clearly contemplates a future event or events and directs us to the temple. In modern revelations the Lord refers to temples as houses “built unto my name” (D&C 105:33; see also D&C 109:2–5; 124:39). These scriptures help us understand that the process of taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ that is commenced in the waters of baptism is continued and enlarged in the house of the Lord. As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple.

“We pledge to always remember the Saviour and to keep His commandments as preparation to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple and receive the highest blessings available through

the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, in the ordinances of the holy temple we more completely and fully take upon us the name of Jesus Christ.” (Honorably Hold a Name and Standing, Ensign, May 2009, p.98)

Note how Elder Bednar carefully connected the ordinances of the temple with both the sacrament and baptism.

The wording of our temple covenants may not be similar to those in the sacrament prayer. It is not that we specifically renew our temple covenants at the sacrament table, but the sacrament allows us to review and evaluate how we are progressing in all our covenants, and by partaking of the sacrament thereby revigorate our commitment in keeping all our covenants.

President Henry B. Eyring taught:

“You could show the value you place on the baptismal covenant by how regularly and carefully you renew it. . . .The sacramental prayers were dictated by the Lord himself to keep us reminded of the gospel covenants we have made.” (Blessed are the Peacemakers, BYU Devotional, Sept 5, 1976) Note that Pres. Eyring uses the phrase “gospel covenants” – in a plural tense.

The Sacrament is an ordinance to remind us of all our covenants, not just baptism.

We need to come to the sacrament meeting ready to remind, repent, renew, revigorate, and recommit ourselves to try again.

As Pres Gordon B. Hinckley taught, the sacrament meeting “ought to be a time of spiritual refreshment for our people, when, on Sunday, they gather to partake of the sacrament and renew their covenants with the Lord. “They should rethink the contract which exists between them and the Lord, under which we take upon ourselves His name and agree to keep His commandments and He, in turn, promises that His Spirit will be with us. “If we could bring about the consummation of that covenant in the lives of our people with a renewal each week,what a marvelous thing it would be.” (Regional Address, Pittsburgh, April 27 1996)

Also from Pres Spencer W. Kimball taught:

“Remembering covenants prevents apostasy.That is the real purpose of the sacrament, to keep us from forgetting [what we have] covenanted at the water’s edge or at the sacrament table and in the temple.” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p112)

[Cobalt-70]

The wording of our temple covenants may not be similar to those in the sacrament prayer. It is not that we specifically renew our temple covenants at the sacrament table, but the sacrament allows us to review and evaluate how we are progressing in all our covenants, and by partaking of the sacrament thereby revigorate our commitment in keeping all our covenants.

But think about the sacramental prayer. There is nothing in it about renewing covenants. Indeed, there is not even a reference to any covenant at all. The sacrament is a witness that we are willing to take upon ourselves Jesus' name, to remember him, and keep his commandments. It is a witness of willingness, not a witness of a promise. We would not be very well advised to make a weekly covenant with God that we know, full well, that we are going to break. But we can make a physical manifestation of our willingness to keep God's commandments.

[CV75]

But think about the sacramental prayer. There is nothing in it about renewing covenants. Indeed, there is not even a reference to any covenant at all. The sacrament is a witness that we are willing to take upon ourselves Jesus' name, to remember him, and keep his commandments. It is a witness of willingness, not a witness of a promise. We would not be very well advised to make a weekly covenant with God that we know, full well, that we are going to break. But we can make a physical manifestation of our willingness to keep God's commandments.

I think witnessing our willingness to take upon ourselves Jesus' name, to remember Him, and keep His commandments is a way of witnessing that we are willing to keep the inseparably connected covenant of baptism (Mosiah 18:8-10).

By doing this weekly, we renew our witness and commitment to keep the baptismal covenant. Where the covenant was technically broken by during the week, it can be re-established by our sincere witness, made in the spirit of repentance and anticipated forgiveness. Thus the covenant is re-established, or renewed after it has been broken during the week before. The baptismal ordinance is not renewed by physical repetition, but the baptismal covenant is.

[Cobalt-70]

I think witnessing our willingness to take upon ourselves Jesus' name, to remember Him, and keep His commandments is a way of witnessing that we are willing to keep the inseparably connected covenant of baptism (Mosiah 18:8-10).

By doing this weekly, we renew our witness and commitment to keep the baptismal covenant. Where the covenant was technically broken by during the week, it can be re-established by our sincere witness, made in the spirit of repentance and anticipated forgiveness. Thus the covenant is re-established, or renewed after it has been broken during the week before. The baptismal ordinance is not renewed by physical repetition, but the baptismal covenant is.

But there is a difference. Mosiah 18:8-10 says that baptism is a witness of a covenant. On the other hand, the sacramental prayer says that you are manifesting a willingness (not a covenant) to remember Christ, take his name, and keep his commandments. Although baptism is a witness of a covenant to serve God and keep his commandments, the sacrament is by its own terms not itself a covenant, or the renewal of a covenant, to keep God's commandments. You already made that covenant, and you are still bound by it regardless of whether or not you take the sacrament. The only way to renew your baptismal covenant is to be rebaptized.

What I'm trying to get away from is the common idea among Mormons that when they take the sacrament, their sins are forgiven until the moment they commit their next sin, and then everything is fundamentally broken until they can take the sacrament the next Sunday. So you go through a weekly saved-unsaved-saved-unsaved cycle.

A better way to look at it, more consistent with the Book of Mormon, is that baptism puts you onto a path of salvation upon which you will remain so long as you endure in faith to the end. To endure to the end in faith means that even though you are imperfect, you have a faith in Christ and a genuine willingness to obey his commandments. If you do this, then you will eventually be exalted, despite your present tendency to sin, because God will gradually sanctify you in this life or the next. Meanwhile, we can receive a weekly "boost" of God's sanctifying grace by re-stating our willingness to remember Jesus and obey God's commandments. If we frequently make an open expression that we are willing to obey God's commandments (even though we don't actually do so), then that helps keep us on the "endure to the end" path, and helps us to maintain the Holy Spirit in our lives.

[Tacenda]

But there is a difference. Mosiah 18:8-10 says that baptism is a witness of a covenant. On the other hand, the sacramental prayer says that you are manifesting a willingness (not a covenant) to remember Christ, take his name, and keep his commandments. Although baptism is a witness of a covenant to serve God and keep his commandments, the sacrament is by its own terms not itself a covenant, or the renewal of a covenant, to keep God's commandments. You already made that covenant, and you are still bound by it regardless of whether or not you take the sacrament. The only way to renew your baptismal covenant is to be rebaptized.

What I'm trying to get away from is the common idea among Mormons that when they take the sacrament, their sins are forgiven until the moment they commit their next sin, and then everything is fundamentally broken until they can take the sacrament the next Sunday. So you go through a weekly saved-unsaved-saved-unsaved cycle.

A better way to look at it, more consistent with the Book of Mormon, is that baptism puts you onto a path of salvation upon which you will remain so long as you endure in faith to the end. To endure to the end in faith means that even though you are imperfect, you have a faith in Christ and a genuine willingness to obey his commandments. If you do this, then you will eventually be exalted, despite your present tendency to sin, because God will gradually sanctify you in this life or the next. Meanwhile, we can receive a weekly "boost" of God's sanctifying grace by re-stating our willingness to remember Jesus and obey God's commandments. If we frequently make an open expression that we are willing to obey God's commandments (even though we don't actually do so), then that helps keep us on the "endure to the end" path, and helps us to maintain the Holy Spirit in our lives.

I like this.

[CV75]

The only way to renew your baptismal covenant is to be rebaptized.

There are two parties in the covenant, and it can be renewed in another way (see below). We did make the covenant only once, and in comparison to the Lord’s level of perfection, we made it unworthily, putting it in breech almost immediately.

What I'm trying to get away from is the common idea among Mormons that when they take the sacrament, their sins are forgiven until the moment they commit their next sin, and then everything is fundamentally broken until they can take the sacrament the next Sunday. So you go through a weekly saved-unsaved-saved-unsaved cycle.

I'm not sure how common this idea actually is, but I believe that in a way we do go through a saved-unsaved-saved-unsaved cycle, in the form of taking three steps forward, two steps back—even if it is only in the sense that advancing steps shed more light on our fallen condition. Like the image of an expanding balloon, with its surface representing the frontier between the known and the unknown, the more we know, we more we realize what we don’t know, as the frontier with the unknown expands. In the same way, the more we progress in godliness, the more we realize we have exponential growth requirements ahead. Like Nephi, the more righteous we become, the more we are stung by our failings.

we can receive a weekly "boost" of God's sanctifying grace by re-stating our willingness to remember Jesus and obey God's commandments. If we frequently make an open expression that we are willing to obey God's commandments (even though we don't actually do so), then that helps keep us on the "endure to the end" path, and helps us to maintain the Holy Spirit in our lives.

While I agree that there is a motivational aspect to the sacrament, I would like to break it down in terms of its relationship with renewing the baptismal covenant. Some of this you've already pointed out:

With baptism, we covenant that we are willing to bear one another’s burdens, to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times, all things, and in all places until death, serve God and keep His commandments. God covenants to redeem us in the first resurrection or eternal life, and pour out His Spirit upon us.

With the sacrament, we witness that we are still willing to take upon us the name of the Son, and always remember Him, and keep His commandments (just like the baptismal covenant), that we may always have His Spirit to be with us (just like the baptismal covenant). Yet it can be said it is not strictly a covenant, though I would suggest that anything that falls under the umbrella of the covenant of the Atonement is technically part of or an extension not just an expression of) of that covenant.

The renewal of the baptismal covenant comes nit by us but by God, by way of repentance, which we do when we reassert or recommit our willingness to remember and obey Him in our current mode of constantly improving over weakness and imperfection. As part of this repentance process, He forgives our infractions that broke the covenant, and mends or renews the broken covenant upon accepting our willingness to honor it. We don't have to bbe rebaptized for this to ocurr, since it is His renewing in our behalf, which then becomes by way a gift (grace) our renewing it.

[CV75]

Since I can't leave it alone (!)

There are many valid perspectives on this; I would say well-guided consideration of one perspective can help correct a misguided application of another perspective. So if one leans in the direction of a “saved-damned-saved” cycle and another in the direction of a “saved-more saved-most saved” trajectory without consideration of what is “real” (in the sense Alma put it), it is helpful to be presented with alternative perspectives.

In some ways, the sacrament represents a covenant as much as baptism, and in some ways represents the same covenant. As the same or separate covenants, each hinges on or are appendages to the Covenant. The sacrament can also be considered as much an ordinance as is baptism, though obviously not the same ordinance. And in many ways a sacrament and an ordinance are both rites with covenants.

As far as the OP goes, if we break the baptismal covenant (merely by not being willing to obey at some moment in time), we can restore, repair or renew it without rebaptism through repentance. I suppose we could resolve to repent without taking the sacrament, but the Lord ordained it as expedient a practice as baptism.

[Cobalt-70]

There are two parties in the covenant, and it can be renewed in another way (see below). We did make the covenant only once, and in comparison to the Lord’s level of perfection, we made it unworthily, putting it in breech almost immediately.

I agree we are in breach of the baptismal covenant. But part of my point is that even if a party is in breach of a contract, that does not destroy the contract and require that a new contract be made. It takes two parties to dissolve a contract, too, and God never releases us from our baptismal obligation. Even though we are in breach, the covenant remains in force until, arguably, we are excommunicated.

[dplewis]

Bernard -

I have had this same question lately and have done a lot of research on. I had never learned one way or another so this answer was new a awesome to me. What you heard in stake conference was absolutely true. Here a just a few of the sources I have found:

Understanding Our Covenants with God - July 2012 Ensign

"The ordinance of the sacrament is an opportunity each week to renew sacred covenants that allow us to be partakers of the Savior’s atoning grace with the same spiritually cleansing effect of baptism and confirmation.

Church leaders have also taught that when we take the sacrament, we renew not only our baptismal covenants but “all covenants entered into with the Lord.”"

'As Now We Take The Sacrament' - L. Tom Perry, April 2006 Conference

"By partaking of the Sacrament we renew all covenants entered into with the Lord and pledge ourselves to take upon us the name of his Son, to always remember him and keep his commandments”

Hope that helps

[rpn]

Temple ordinances are not saving ordinances.   They are exalting ordinances.   Baptism and doing our personal best and quickly repenting is what makes us perfect in Christ through the Atonement.

 

But I do think that we cannot take the sacrament without recommiting ourselves to all of what it means to take upon the name of Christ including living all the promises we have made to God.