The Sacrament prayers have often been explained as a whole. Occasionally, some have focused on a single word for an extended explanation of its meaning and relevance for us. This book will explore the meanings of each individual word, groups of words, sentences, ideas, themes, allegories, metaphors, similes, archetypes, prophesies, covenants, and gospel of Jesus Christ. The Sacrament prayers contain the entire gospel of Jesus Christ if the meanings of the words, their underlying implied doctrine (how can we understand the prayers without seeing their context in the more comprehensive panorama of restoration doctrines), and the original meanings of the ancient Hebrew equivalents of the English words. Each Sacrament prayer is like a multifaceted diamond. It can be viewed sparkling in the distance as the light of Christ reflects of each word. The overall appearance is one of beauty, sublime radiance and peace. One can see the sun rise over a field with green grass laden with dewdrops each sparkling in its own way like so many diamonds. The sheep are grazing quietly and beyond them lay the still waters, reflecting the golden sword of heavenly light from the sun. The diamond captures all this radiance and beauty and so much more. Then one can bring the diamond closer and study each of its 52 faces intimately. Each one is glittering differently in shimmering colors as the rays from the sun reflect its uniqueness. There are many other images in each facet as the sunlight reflects off of many other faces of the diamond before coming through the face being studied. The prayer on the bread has 91 words or facets. The prayer on the water has 78. Each word reflects the light of Christ differently and also focuses light from the other words in beautiful harmonics of light skittering over the surface of one’s soul.
Original version November 19, 2004