Administering Sacrament in the Home

[smac97]

I just received a group email from our ward's bishop pertaining to administration of the Sacrament at home for March-April.  Temple-recommend-holding Melchizedek Priesthood holders are authorized to perform the ordinance at home.  Those without TRs can contact the bishop for authorization.  Those without a TR-holding PH can get authorization for nearby family members to provide it, or else have it performed by the EQ.  Only on Sundays, and only once a week.  Those performing the ordinance should be dressed in Sunday clothes.  Ordinance must be performed in person (not remotely via technology).

He closes the email with encouraging words.  He's a good guy.

Thanks

-Smac

[Boanerges]

Our bishop immediately issued authorization for "worthy" priesthood holders to administer the sacrament last week on Sundays with no further instructions other than to review the procedure in the handbook if you felt it necessary. I believe this is stake wide. He did not state what constituted worthy, said nothing about "Sunday dress" or anything else. We were told we could get together with other nearby members if we wish but that wasn't a requirement. Families without priesthood in the home could go to a nearby family or ask their ministering brother. This was all disseminated to us through the EQ presidency on Friday and we were asked to be sure our ministering families were aware, which I did, and my own ministering brother texted me as well. Our closest member neighbor falls under the high risk category for the virus because of age and medical conditions and we thought it best to not risk it and the brother would fall under the worthy priesthood holder umbrella as well. Our next closest member neighbor is about 4 miles away. I did it at home (just the two of us) with both of us in our normal casual dress. It was a nice experience that I anticipate will continue for at least one more Sunday but likely longer (we'll skip General Conference Sunday because we usually don't do it then anyway). 

Personal point of view, but I think our bishop is even a bit nicer - faster and no extra "rules." 

Edited March 18, 2020 by Boanerges

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

23 hours ago, smac97 said:

I just received a group email from our ward's bishop pertaining to administration of the Sacrament at home for March-April.  Temple-recommend-holding Melchizedek Priesthood holders are authorized to perform the ordinance at home.  Those without TRs can contact the bishop for authorization.  Those without a TR-holding PH can get authorization for nearby family members to provide it, or else have it performed by the EQ.  Only on Sundays, and only once a week.  Those performing the ordinance should be dressed in Sunday clothes.  Ordinance must be performed in person (not remotely via technology).

He closes the email with encouraging words.  He's a good guy.

Thanks

-Smac

Wow, mine expired two Months ago, I just forgot. Now our Stake is not holding recommend interviews, for safety’s sake, and due to the fact that our Temple is closed until further notice. Not to mention that my Bishop, who is an extended family member, booked a cruise and but now, he, his wife, and two children are showing symptoms. My Son and Son-in-law have current recommends, so that would not be a problem. This entire thing, is becoming more and more serious almost daily. Two of my granddaughters have been with us for days, as their parents thinks they should remain. My son-in-law works with our Bishop (who is his brother-in-law) and fears spreading it to the granddaughters we have. They are out of school, and love being here in our very large property, but their parents miss them. So their loss (even for a short while) is our gain, as we love having them with us. Sunday dinner, right now, is up in the air. 

[Amulek]

14 minutes ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Wow, mine expired two Months ago, I just forgot. Now our Stake is not holding recommend interviews, for safety’s sake, and due to the fact that our Temple is closed until further notice.

Temples may be closed, but a valid temple recommend is still useful if you are wanting to participate in an ordinance outside of your ward / stake. 

In our stake, we are continuing to conduct temple recommend interviews via video conference (unless/until further guidance is given) - though, to date, nobody has actually requested an interview. 

 

[CA Steve]

I would like to see strong statements from the church discouraging any visiting between members that is not absolutely necessary and then following strict guidelines of social separation.  Having an outside member visit another house, say a prayer over bread and water and then hand it to another person needs to stop immediately.

[JLHPROF]

On 3/18/2020 at 11:51 AM, smac97 said:

Ordinance must be performed in person (not remotely via technology).

My mind is kind of blown that this needed to be stated.

[Bernard Gui]

On 3/18/2020 at 10:51 AM, smac97 said:

I just received a group email from our ward's bishop pertaining to administration of the Sacrament at home for March-April.  Temple-recommend-holding Melchizedek Priesthood holders are authorized to perform the ordinance at home.  Those without TRs can contact the bishop for authorization.  Those without a TR-holding PH can get authorization for nearby family members to provide it, or else have it performed by the EQ.  Only on Sundays, and only once a week.  Those performing the ordinance should be dressed in Sunday clothes.  Ordinance must be performed in person (not remotely via technology).

He closes the email with encouraging words.  He's a good guy.

Thanks

-Smac

Considering our age group, I’m not comfortable going to someone’s home or having them come to my home except maybe to converse while they stay out on the porch. 

On the other hand, we felt great about driving up to Mt Rainier yesterday. If we can’t go up to the temple, we can go up to the Mountain of the Lord. We ran into our Gospel Doctrine teacher who was snowshoeing as part of his worship service. We kept a socially responsible distance from him.

On the way up to the Mountain we passed Columbia Crest School, a small rural school in a remote area. There were a couple of teachers in the parking lot distributing food packages to residents whose children receive lunch and breakfast programs. Kids had to be in the vehicle. This will probably be shut down.

I just spoke with our LDS Addiction Recovery Program counterpart (leader of meetings for those in addiction). He has great concern for several people in his group who are on the shaky road to recovery, but may be at risk of relapse during times of stress. We agree that our meetings need to be electronic despite out desire to help in person.

Rumors are that our governor is going to issue a universal stay-at-home order within a day or two. 

Edited March 20, 2020 by Bernard Gui

[Amulek]

21 hours ago, CA Steve said:

Having an outside member visit another house, say a prayer over bread and water and then hand it to another person needs to stop immediately.

You know, it isn't like we are breaking doors down and force feeding people. If you want to remain completely isolated you are more than welcome to do so. 

 

[CA Steve]

23 hours ago, Amulek said:

You know, it isn't like we are breaking doors down and force feeding people. If you want to remain completely isolated you are more than welcome to do so. 

 

Your're a moron that is going to get people killed.

No personal insults ~Mods

[Calm]

19 hours ago, CA Steve said:

Your're a moron that is going to get people killed.

I can see times when the reassurance of sharing the Sacrament may be more helpful than dangerous.  Depression and loneliness can be dangerous as stress can cause its own health issues.  My mother suffers from mild dementia and is therefore in assisted living and I am very grateful we just happened to schedule physical therapy for her at this time so she gets more face to face interaction even though it raises her chances significantly because in the past it appears quarantine over time wears on her.  In the recent past her withdrawing has led to less activity and I am very worried a nasty fall is likely to happen if something doesn't change.  She has gotten ill, but it is always at the end of quarantines rather than the beginning.  She hasn't gotten sick with the more mild stuff that comes through even though contact with others isn't restricted.  She also only gets mild cases.  I am guessing from the last five years pattern of health social interaction is protective for her to a certain extent.  A combination of some interaction plus conscientious hygiene is likely what will keep her the healthiest.  She is also almost 90 and in a lot of pain daily, so death itself is not to be feared.  I am more concerned in that regard with other residents who are still very active and look like they are enjoying life.  Additionally, quarantines always seem to lead to a decrease in her mental ability.  Social interaction and keeping her emotionally positive otoh seems to slow her descent.

Not saying this is appropriate for everyone.  We are in fact banning grandkids and any other visitors from our home to protect our diabetic daughter who is fine with very limited social interaction.  This is her choice.  It would be likely we would be foregoing the Sacrament if my husband wasn't available to provide it (even though she is young and there hasn't been sufficient data to determine if the stats are valid for type one diabetes) because she hasn't had the flu in years as far as we can tell (no fevers) and we don't know how she reacts to those while we do know she has long recovery periods when she does get sick, so she is being extra cautious.

If checking to see if the person is ill before coming over and then using bread and a plate and a cup of water for each person the individual already has with careful hand washing and contact procedures as well as testing for temperatures before coming over and other careful choices in who is providing them the Sacrament, the danger is likely no more than with other delivery of food or necessities, imo.  Gloves and a mask could be worn by the provider as well.  For some people I would say they should bypass even this, for others who would be strengthen emotionally, it may be more beneficial.

I think the important thing is to listen to what people are saying they are most concerned about and not make decisions for others solely based on a one size fits all or one's own personal concerns.

PS:  that type of criticism (calling someone a moron) isn't likely to persuade someone to stop behaving foolishly if they are and in my experience actually tends to push people to be less cautious.  

Edited March 21, 2020 by Calm

[Hamba Tuhan]

34 minutes ago, Calm said:

I can see times when the reassurance of sharing the Sacrament may be more helpful than dangerous.

It is perfectly possible to visit a home and administer the sacrament fully within the hygiene protocols and social distancing guidelines we've been provided here.

[Raingirl]

I found out from the RS President some of the details for our ward. 

There is no automatic or blanket permission to administer the sacrament. Worthy priesthood holders must get permission from the bishop. 

The goal is to provide the sacrament to everyone in the ward with the sacrament once a month, with the the first occurrence being March 29.

If there is no Priesthood holder in your home, you may inform the bishop that you would like someone sent to your home, and Priesthood representatives will be sent. You must provide the bread and water.

If you’re uncomfortable with someone coming to your home, that is fine. There will be no judgement made. 

[mgy401]

5 hours ago, CA Steve said:

Your're a moron that is going to get people killed.

“You’re”.

[LoudmouthMormon]

@CA Steve, you doing ok?

[Stargazer]

On 3/18/2020 at 5:51 PM, smac97 said:

I just received a group email from our ward's bishop pertaining to administration of the Sacrament at home for March-April.  Temple-recommend-holding Melchizedek Priesthood holders are authorized to perform the ordinance at home.  Those without TRs can contact the bishop for authorization.  Those without a TR-holding PH can get authorization for nearby family members to provide it, or else have it performed by the EQ.  Only on Sundays, and only once a week.  Those performing the ordinance should be dressed in Sunday clothes.  Ordinance must be performed in person (not remotely via technology).

He closes the email with encouraging words.  He's a good guy.

Thanks

-Smac

Nice!

Our bishop sent out a personalized email to every priesthood holder in the ward whom he was authorizing to administer the sacrament weekly in their home. Unlike your bishop, he did not specify a day of the week, nor instructions as to how one should dress to administer it.  This would appear to be a personal preference of your bishop.  However, I think that manner of dress is important while doing something of such importance, and I myself would not feel comfortable administering the sacrament dressed down.

[mfbukowski]

On 3/19/2020 at 10:16 AM, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Wow, mine expired two Months ago, I just forgot. Now our Stake is not holding recommend interviews, for safety’s sake, and due to the fact that our Temple is closed until further notice. Not to mention that my Bishop, who is an extended family member, booked a cruise and but now, he, his wife, and two children are showing symptoms. My Son and Son-in-law have current recommends, so that would not be a problem. This entire thing, is becoming more and more serious almost daily. Two of my granddaughters have been with us for days, as their parents thinks they should remain. My son-in-law works with our Bishop (who is his brother-in-law) and fears spreading it to the granddaughters we have. They are out of school, and love being here in our very large property, but their parents miss them. So their loss (even for a short while) is our gain, as we love having them with us. Sunday dinner, right now, is up in the air. 

Don't give it a second thought.

That instruction was for that individual it was for that individual Ward that the poster is in. Each Bishop has the authority to authorize whatever they think is necessary within their own Ward.

The necessary part is whether or not you are worthy and could qualify for a recommend.  Do what your Bishop has authorized for your ward not something somebody said about somebody's Bishop in another ward

If your Bishop is unavailable the first counselor is the person who takes over.

Absent any instruction you have the authority to do what is right for your family.

Don't worry about it. In our case our Bishop simply said it so you must be "worthy."

Be guided by the spirit not something you read on some board on the internet.

Just my advice of course, that you read on some board on the internet.

 

[mfbukowski]

On 3/19/2020 at 10:16 AM, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Wow, mine expired two Months ago, I just forgot. Now our Stake is not holding recommend interviews, for safety’s sake, and due to the fact that our Temple is closed until further notice.

It's a piece of paper

The Lord knows your status.

Just get it renewed when this whole thing is over.

[mfbukowski]

On 3/19/2020 at 10:36 AM, Amulek said:

....though, to date, nobody has actually requested an interview. 

 

You must have an interesting calling but since you didn't disclose it I won't go there. 

 

[Kenngo1969]

23 hours ago, CA Steve said:

Your're [sic] a moron that is going to get people killed.

No personal insults ~Mods

Perhaps, but, if so, at least he's a moron who knows how to spell "You're."  That's more than just a little overwrought.  It works, though, if you're simply an anonymous Internet poster looking to insult another anonymous Internet poster gratuitously.  If that was your intent, congratulations!  Mission accomplished!  Is COVID-19 serious?  Yes.  Does it have the potential to kill people?  Yes.  So does the influenza virus, and, in fact, there's evidence that the flu is even deadlier, because it's even more common and even more communicable. 

What did you do the last time you had the flu?  Did you hole up somewhere in complete isolation until you were absolutely certain that you were no longer contagious?  And how, exactly, did you determine that you were no longer contagious?  Did you undergo testing to determine what strain you had, and then undergo testing at regular intervals thereafter to determine that your viral load had reached zero before resuming normal activities?  If not, does that mean that you [too] are a moron?  (By the way, have you had your flu shot yet?)

[mfbukowski]

4 hours ago, Kenngo1969 said:

Perhaps, but, if so, at least he's a moron who knows how to spell "You're."  That's more than just a little overwrought.  It works, though, if you're simply an anonymous Internet poster looking to insult another anonymous Internet poster gratuitously.  If that was your intent, congratulations!  Mission accomplished!  Is COVID-19 serious?  Yes.  Does it have the potential to kill people?  Yes.  So does the influenza virus, and, in fact, there's evidence that the flu is even deadlier, because it's even more common and even more communicable. 

What did you do the last time you had the flu?  Did you hole up somewhere in complete isolation until you were absolutely certain that you were no longer contagious?  And how, exactly, did you determine that you were no longer contagious?  Did you undergo testing to determine what strain you had, and then undergo testing at regular intervals thereafter to determine that your viral load had reached zero before resuming normal activities?  If not, does that mean that you [too] are a moron?  (By the way, have you had your flu shot yet?)

Agree about the flu.

This is one of the things that bothers me about the seriousness of the reaction.

I am at the point now where I trust neither the government nor the media nor either party.

When are the tanks rolling to enforce all this?   police in San Francisco are actually enforcing the policies and there's talk about bringing in the military.

Un -flipping believeable !

 

 

[Robert J Anderson]

I think there is a lot of over-reaction going on with the government and media.  Perhaps a better reaction would be to quarantine the vulnerable and not deliberately kill the economy?  The vast majority will not show serious symptoms with this and quarantining the vulnerable (those with concurrent health problems and the elderly) will save the health care apparatus from being overwhelmed and will flatten the curve.

[Maureen]

https://www.livescience.com/new-coronavirus-compare-with-flu.html

M.

[Kenngo1969]

https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/03/coronavirus-pandemic-doctors-take-serious-disease-shutdown-approach-may-be-imperfect/#slide-1

[Navidad]

My wife and I "attended" church this morning via two livestreams (no congregants in attendance). One was from the Mennonite church in the little town in Pennsylvania where I grew up and one in western New York, now being pastored by my best friend from high school. They were very different but we enjoyed them both. We thought about having a communion (sacrament) service here in our home since I am "authorized" to perform the sacrament in our own faith group, but decided against it. We thought that might somehow be offensive to the folks in our ward since they don't recognize my authority, even within our own faith group. So, we simply watched and enjoyed the music and sermons, one of which the pastor preached from his dining room table and one which was preached from the pulpit at an almost (only a few staff were there) empty church.  It was a delightful morning. 

[The Nehor]

13 hours ago, mfbukowski said:

Agree about the flu.

This is one of the things that bothers me about the seriousness of the reaction.

I am at the point now where I trust neither the government nor the media nor either party.

When are the tanks rolling to enforce all this?   police in San Francisco are actually enforcing the policies and there's talk about bringing in the military.

Un -flipping believeable !

 

 

New York requested military help. They have over 10,000 cases including an outbreak in a jail. That is more than all of France.

It is important not to panic though. This does not mean martial law or military enforced quarantines. It is probably more a need for manpower. They can provide bodies to do things like disinfecting buildings, assist in food distribution, maintain order at testing locations And hospitals, and the like.

This is more akin to activating the national guard in a hurricane situation.