“Any One Knowingly to Partake of My Flesh and Blood Unworthily”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

See that ye do all things in worthiness (Mormon 9:29), Moroni counseled. Partaking of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper unworthily denies one of the promised blessings that attend worthy participation in that ordinance. Without the Spirit one is halted and damned in regard to spiritual progress. What, then, constitutes worthiness to partake of the sacrament? “If we desire to improve (which is to repent) and are not under priesthood restriction, then, in my opinion, we are worthy,” taught Elder John H. Groberg. “If, however, we have no desire to improve, if we have no intention of following the guidance of the Spirit, we must ask: Are we worthy to partake, or are we making a mockery of the very purpose of the sacrament, which is to act as a catalyst for personal repentance and improvement? If we remember the Savior and all he has done and will do for us, we will improve our actions and thus come closer to him, which keeps us on the road to eternal life. If, however, we refuse to repent and improve, if we do not remember and keep his commandments, then we have stopped our growth, and that is damnation to our souls. The sacrament is an intensely personal experience, and we are the ones who knowingly are worthy or otherwise.” (CR, April 1989, p. 50.)

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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