“There Shall One Be Ordained Among You, and to Him Will I Give Power That He Shall Break Bread and Bless It and Give It Unto the People of My Church”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet
The ordinance of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper must be done under the direction of the proper priesthood authority. Merely breaking the bread, reciting the prayers, and partaking of the ordinances-even if done by someone who holds the priesthood-does not mean it is a valid sacramental ordinance. Authority or permission to perform this sacred rite can only be given by the one who holds the keys of the priesthood. On a ward level, this means that only the bishop has the right and authority to grant permission for the sacrament to be administered. Through his keys of priesthood authority priesthood holders are thus empowered to perform this important ordinance and make is emblems available to members of the ward.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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