The following letter went out to our ward from the bishopric on March 20, 2020. Please review carefully.
To Members of the Silvercrest Ward,
Thank you for your patience regarding the administration of the Sacrament. The following information will be helpful to understand the authorization and administration of the Sacrament to our membership.
Please note that the logistics portion of this letter is very important to the health and safety of our members especially those in the higher risk categories. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact a member of the Bishopric.
Melchizedek and Aaronic priesthood holders are authorized to administer the sacrament in their homes and to those that they are assigned to minister based on the following guidelines:
- The Sacrament may only be administered on Sundays. However, the Sacrament is not to be administered on the Sunday of General Conference.
- Authorization to perform the ordinance comes under the direction of the Bishop’s priesthood keys.
- Authorization to perform the ordinance is only for your family and your ministering families in the boundary of the Ward and may only be performed within the Ward boundary. For administering to members 60 or older or who may be in a high-risk category, please see the exception instruction below.
- This authorization ends when the Church gives the clearance to again have church meetings.
- Those Aaronic Priesthood holders helping in the preparation or administration of the Sacrament should not perform duties that are outside of the Lord’s direction.
- Worthiness of any Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood holder participating in the ordinance of the Sacrament is paramount.
- This authorization does not apply to visiting family members or friends. They may partake of, but are not authorized to administer the Sacrament.
- To make this a meaningful experience, we suggest Sunday dress and the priesthood should perform the ordinance with reverence and in an orderly manner.
- Use the direction in Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants regarding the administration of the Sacrament starting in verse 75 and continuing through verse 79.
- It does not matter what is used as “bread” but it is imperative the symbolism of that substance be “broken” as part of the ordinance. Also, remember to replace the word “water” for the word “wine.”
- We suggest the singing of a Sacrament hymn prior to administering the sacrament.
- Please report to a member of the Bishopric or the Elder’s Quorum Presidency all the families and individuals who you administered the sacrament to, including your own.
There are some important logistical items that we need to share with you.
- If your home does not have a Melchizedek or Aaronic Priesthood holder or if you would like to have someone come to your home to administer the Sacrament in your home, please contact your ministering brother or a member of the Elders Quorum presidency.
- If someone in the home of your ministering family is 60 or older or is in a high risk category, please contact a member of the Elder’s Quorum presidency for specific instruction.
- If you are administering the Sacrament to your ministering family where no one is 60 or older or in a high risk category, please follow these protocols:
- arrange a specific time with your ministering family;
- do not bring bread, water, or sacrament trays or cups (use bread and cups from the home);
- make certain that those who administer the Sacrament wash their hands for 20 seconds immediately prior to preparing and blessing the Sacrament;
- do not linger; and
- remember to report to a member of the Bishopric or Elders Quorum presidency who you administered the Sacrament to.
- If you are the only member in your household, you are not authorized to administer the sacrament to yourself. Please contact a member of the Elders Quorum presidency to assist you.
Brothers and sisters, we love and appreciate you for your diligence, faith and goodness. May the Lord bless you and your family with an increased portion of His spirit as we move forward in these unique times. Please let us know if we can do anything to help you.
Sincerely,
The Silvercrest Bishopric
Craig Bickmore, 801-550-0956
Mark Meiling, 801-971-7877
Lyle Odendahl, 801-560-9359
Elders Quorum Presidency Contact Numbers:
Kevin Bates, 801-403-7476
Josh Larson, 801-518-4267
Steve Augade, 801-631-7832