- Kendall Buchanan on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “Thanks, Chad. I wanna use comment to opine on “culture vs. doctrine”, which seems to be making the rounds: I have never heard anyone in the Church persuasively describe the difference between culture and doctrine—they are indisputably intertwined, as they are in *in all religions*. We lean on our stated beliefs to justify the practices that serve us; conversely, we strike things from our culture using tools like scripture—again, if we choose. However you interpret hierarchy and the proper mechanisms for enacting change within the Church, it remains a living organism that responds to feedback, adapting its culture and doctrines in tandem. Even if it is true that church leaders are working to separate our beliefs from pioneer practices, we will emerge with a new culture informed by new interpretations of doctrine! I liked the comment above that established 3 Nephi as the scriptural precedent for serving priesthood leaders first—I’d never heard that; and if we repeat that enough to each other, well… you get the idea. I’m not arguing that our beliefs are trivially malleable, or not guided by God—but I think when you’re critiquing a practice, you’re critiquing the beliefs that inform the practice too.” Jul 24, 15:13
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: ““…that a superior officer might be first served.” Not office. Transcription error on my part.” Jul 24, 13:27
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “Provo Bishop John E. Booth told a story in 1894 about Brigham Young and the passing of the sacramental emblems. Booth prefaced his remarks by pointing out, “the manner of serving the sacrament had varied at different periods of the church’s history.” Booth then said that while Young was visiting a Provo meetinghouse, he “sat on the east side of the pulpit. The one serving the bread came on the stand from the west, and passed by a member to first serve President Young. The president censured that conduct quite severely, and stated that when it came to partaking of the sacrament all were equal, and the Latter-day Saints should partake of it as their turn came. None should be passed in order that a superior office might be first served.” It’s second hand obviously but still notable. Cited in “About Administering the Sacrament,” in Provo Daily Enquirer, February 5, 1894, page 1.” Jul 24, 13:19
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “I’m not sure how any church member can claim that they have never been challenged to live the principles of the Book of Mormon, as that is complete nonsense. If you need to, please review the talks from the most recent General Conference.” Jul 24, 11:32
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “See, I had never been taught it was to honor them, but as they are Presiding, them partaking was essentially the signal to the congregation that the ordinance was accepted and validated as being done correctly.” Jul 24, 05:43
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “the sacrament is a ritual that we put way too much emphasis on in how it is performed and not enough emphasis on how we should renew our commitment to follow/act like the Savior. It is for us to recommit ourselves and try again. I think all our temple ordinances are the same way. The leaders talk endlessly on getting them and rarely on what we should do after getting them. Same with reading the BoM. I have been asked by leaders, top down, to read that book every day but never challenged to live its principles. We have turned into an org that worships the ordinance and not using the ordinance to become better. Doing the ordinance is just part of what needs done. Becoming a new person, born again, Christ like, is the ultimate goal we just dont focus on as a church. Get them baptized, get them endowed, get them sealed. Done. Next.” Jul 23, 22:39
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “Jonathan, you are talking about the ideal. Unfortunately, reality frequently fell short. Many singles were denied the sacrament, and some bishops didn’t authorize home sacrament. If I remember correctly, Ardis P. didn’t receive the sacrament for quite a period. Carey, there are numerous and stronger examples of excessive bowing to hierarchy than Bishops being given the sacrament first.” Jul 23, 17:02
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “I’ve never thought that having a leader take the sacrament first was honoring his person. Take a close look at the sacrament prayers, especially the line about the Spirit. In 3 Nephi the apostles ate until they were “filled.” Only then did they serve the rest of the congregation. What is the symbolism here? Unfilled apostles can’t distribute light and truth they don’t have. The congregation waits until the apostles are filled. The symbolism IMO teaches the congregation to wait patiently on their leaders. It also places an extraordinary burden on apostles, seventies and bishops… leaders who take the sacrament first.” Jul 23, 14:37
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “>>> Honoring a man who has given a major portion of his adult life” These kind of justifications about how or why the Church enacts certain things policies especially when they are connected to (male only) Priesthood should give one pause about why these justifications are thought of. Whether they were part of the motivations that this policy was enacted may be beside the point because clearly this is a bi-product of this policy. The sacrament should not to be used as an opportunity to praise leaders (especially when this only applies to men) who are called to serve. We need to be vigilant in avoiding setting our “hearts on the things of the world, and the honors of men”. This is pretty well established in our doctrine (See D&C 121).” Jul 23, 11:14
- on Unnecessary Spiritual Hierarchies: Leaders Receiving the Sacrament First: “During the pandemic when meetings were canceled, households with worthy priesthood holders were authorized to bless the sacrament. Households without a priesthood holder had to rely on ministering brothers for the sacrament.” Jul 23, 10:54
