Dear Gramps,

My wife and I came across this in our nightly scripture study.

In 3 Nephi 18, the Savior institutes the sacrament among the Nephites. In that chapter he also warns the Church to not allow anyone who is unworthy to partake of the sacrament. In one verse, He says that when the unworthy repent and are baptized that they should then be allowed to partake. Does that mean that missionaries should actively discourage investigators from taking the sacrament until they are baptized?

Also, what do you think about children taking the sacrament before they reach the age of accountability? I realize that it is not a worthiness question with them; they are innocent in God’s eyes. But since the sacrament is for those who have been baptized, do you see anything wrong with parents having their children wait until they are baptized to take the sacrament?

Paul

Dear Paul,

The injunction against partaking of the sacrament unworthily is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11:27-31–

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. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

The Apostle Paul suggests that each person should judge himself as to his worthiness. Earlier in the Mormon Church an announcement was usually given from the stand that the sacrament would be passed to the members of the Church. Later that practice was discontinued; I suppose in deference to Paul’s statement that each man should be his own judge. As the bishop is a judge in Israel, if he were to know of a person’s unworthiness, it would not be inappropriate for him to discretely counsel the person with respect to partaking of the sacrament. Otherwise it seems appropriate that we do not take it upon ourselves to judge other people.

Gramps