Moroni 4
People in this chapter
Moroni set out to write only a few more things (Moroni 1:4), and he gives one whole chapter to a single prayer. It is the prayer Latter-day Saints hear every Sunday: the blessing on the bread.
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Moroni 4:1-2According to the Commandments of Christ
1The manner of their elders and priests administering the flesh and blood of Christ unto the church; and they administered it according to the commandments of Christ; wherefore we know the manner to be true; and the elder or priest did minister it— 2And they did kneel down with the church, and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying:
The elders and priests gave the sacrament the way Christ commanded. Moroni says that is how we know the manner is true.
The one who blessed the sacrament knelt down with the congregation and prayed to the Father in Christ's name.
Moroni 4:3That They May Always Have His Spirit
3O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.
The prayer is addressed to God the Eternal Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. It asks Him to bless the bread for everyone who eats it.
By eating, we witness to God that we are willing to take Christ's name, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.
The promise for keeping these covenants is that we may always have the Lord's Spirit with us.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
Where this echoes in Scripture
According to the Commandments of Christ
- 3 Nephi 18:5-7This shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you.The commandments of Christ that Moroni refers to.
- D&C 20:76The elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it: he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer.
- Luke 22:19This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
That They May Always Have His Spirit
- 3 Nephi 18:7If ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.
- D&C 20:77O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread.The same prayer, revealed again.
- Mosiah 18:10That ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-24The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread... this do in remembrance of me.
- John 6:35I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.