James E. Talmage
"The divine instructions concerning the sacredness of this ordinance are explicit; and the consequent need of scrupulous care being exercised lest it be engaged in unworthily is apparent. In addressing the Corinthian saints Paul gave solemn warnings against hasty or unworthy action in partaking of the sacrament, and declares that the penalties of sickness and even death are visited upon those who violate the sacred requirements: 'For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.' (1 Cor 11:26-30)
"When instructing the Nephites, Jesus laid great stress upon the fitness of those who partook of the sacrament; and moreover He placed responsibility upon the officers of the Church whose duty it was to administer it, that they should permit none whom they knew to be unworthy to participate in the ordinance." (The Articles of Faith, p. 173)
David O. McKay
"To partake of the sacrament unworthily is to take a step toward spiritual death. No man can be dishonest within himself without deadening the susceptibility of his spirit. Sin can stun the conscience as a blow on the head can stun the physical senses. He who promises one thing and deliberately fails to keep his. word, adds sin to sin. On natural principles such a man 'eats and drinks condemnation to his soul.'" (Conference Report, October 1929, pp. 14-15.)
Elder John H. Groberg
"This invitation of the Savior to come unto him is issued regularly and is universal. Everyone is included—men, women, and children. Old and young alike participate. None are barred except by themselves.
"The Lord said, 'And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me.' (3 Ne. 18:25.)
"But the Lord, who knows the terrible consequences of hypocrisy, also warned:
'Ye shall not suffer any one knowingly to partake of my flesh and blood unworthily, …
For whoso eateth and drinketh my flesh and blood unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to his soul.' (3 Ne. 18:28-29.)
"What does it mean to partake of the sacrament worthily? Or how do we know if we are unworthy?
"If we desire to improve (which is to repent) and are not under priesthood restriction, then, in my opinion, we are worthy. 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 him 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." (Conference Report, Apr. 1989, "The Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament")