“The Manner of Administering the Flesh and Blood of Christ”

Alan C. Miner

According to John Welch, the words for our sacrament prayers were first found in this dispensation in the Book of Mormon in Moroni 4:3--5:2. The words in those texts can be traced back further to the words of Jesus Christ himself in 3 Nephi 18. What is also noteworthy is that the words and covenants are also tied to King Benjamin's speech. A detailed relationship exists between Mosiah 5, 3 Nephi 18, and Moroni 4-5.

For example, at the conclusion of Benjamin's speech, his people entered into a covenant, saying "we are willing . . . to be obedient to [God's] commandments in all things that he shall command us," after which they agreed to "take upon [themselves] the name of Christ" and obligated themselves to "remember to retain the name written always in [their] hearts" (Mosiah 5:5-12). These three specific promises not only reappear in Moroni 4, but are still the essential elements of the sacramental prayers as they are used today. [John W. Welch, "Our Nephite Sacrament Prayers," in Reexploring the Book of Mormon, pp. 286-287]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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