Sacrament postponed due to lack of bread

Sacrament trays prepared with bread and water

We have the opportunity to partake of the sacrament every Sunday. I had never previously imagined being unable to do so because no bread was available to eat in remembrance of the body of our Savior.

Maybe that is why this entry recorded in the diary of my Great, Great Grandfather Frederick William Hurst during his mission in Hawaii in 1856 caught my immediate attention:

"January 6th:  The day has been very rough, raining nearly all day.  Owing to having no bread we postponed having Sacrament until next Sunday. Spent the evening talking and singing."

A couple years ago church was canceled in St. George due to an unusually heavy snow storm. I remember a time when a flood swept through town and meetings were not held so that everyone could help those affected by the flood waters. But never had I heard of church being postponed due to lack of bread.

Great, Great Grandpa Hurst mentions the sacrament thirteen times in his diary. I wonder how many times we mention this sacred ordinance in our journals. His mention of the Sunday without bread leading to a postponement of the meeting vividly teaches that a worship service without partaking of the sacrament loses its purpose. The covenant of the sacrament is the reason we meet; it is essential. This was a powerful lesson to me.

His description of ending the day with singing also instructed me. He writes of singing forty-four times in his diary, ten of which refer directly to the singing of hymns. This particular mention reminds me that although music is a very important element in our Sunday worship, and can certainly contribute to the spirit of our gatherings, it is only a part of a meeting that is held for the purpose of covenant making. Sacrament meeting could be held without music, but not without bread.

As the sacrament tray is passed today I will have new gratitude for the bread which enables me to renew my covenants.