Recognize the benefits of the restored religion

Years ago in Spanish-speaking Perú, my missionary companion and I were in the apartment of a Frenchman to present the message of the restoration of the gospel. (I’m wondering now how that conversation sounded with those American and French accents!)

The Frenchman, the principal of a French school, told us that if he felt like memorializing the Lord’s sacrifice, he would bless bread and wine right there in his living room. Seems he was recognizing his spiritual nature but was overlooking the benefits of religion.

Discounting the benefits of religion seems to be popular these days. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has noted that recent Gallup and Pew Research polls assert “that the single most distinguishing feature of modern life is the rise of secularism with its attendant dismissal of, cynicism toward, or marked disenchantment with religion.”1

A primary benefit of our restored religion is the opportunity to partake of the Sacrament each week. Within the structure of the Savior’s church, the bread and water are blessed and passed by those with true priesthood authority to do so. The Sacrament prayers promise the Lord’s spirit to guide, comfort and strengthen us through the week.

As we rise above the societal trend of minimizing church activity, we will delight in the blessings the Lord wants us to have.

1 https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/bound-by-loving-ties?lang=eng