Sacrament: Clarke, Hales, Hallstrom

Elder Don R. Clarke gave a power discourse on partaking of the Sacrament, how we prepared for the meeting and the ordinance.  Included in his talk is a review of 4 points that he recommends to further enjoy the renewing benefits of the Sacrament:
1. Have a feeling of gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus Christ
2. Remember that we are renewing our baptismal covenants
3. During the Sacrament we can feel forgiven of our sins.
4. We can receive inspiration for solutions to our problems

From Elder Hales in Apr 2012 Conf.

We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others.

To worthily partake of the sacrament, we remember that we are renewing the covenant we made at baptism. For the sacrament to be a spiritually cleansing experience each week, we need to prepare ourselves beforecoming to sacrament meeting. We do this by deliberately leaving behind our daily work and recreation and letting go of worldly thoughts and concerns. As we do, we make room in our minds and hearts for the Holy Ghost.

Then we are prepared to ponder on the Atonement. More than just thinking about the facts of the Savior’s suffering and death, our pondering helps us to recognize that through the Savior’s sacrifice, we have the hope, opportunity, and strength to make real, heartfelt changes in our lives.

As we sing the sacrament hymn, participate in the sacrament prayers, and partake of the emblems of His flesh and blood, we prayerfully seekforgiveness for our sins and shortcomings. We think about the promises we made and kept during the previous week and make specific personal commitments to follow the Savior during the coming week.

....

I testify that the sacrament gives us an opportunity to come to ourselvesand experience “a mighty change” of heart⁵—to remember who we are and what we most desire. As we renew the covenant to keep the commandments, we obtain the companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead us back into our Heavenly Father’s presence. No wonder we are commanded to “meet together oft to partake of [the] bread and [water]”⁶and to partake of the sacrament to our souls.⁷

From Elder Hallstrom in Apr 2012 Conf.
2. 

Focus on the ordinances and covenants. If there are any of the essential ordinances yet to be performed in your life, intently prepare to receive each of them. Then we need to establish the discipline to live faithful to our covenants, fully using the weekly gift of the sacrament. Many of us are not being regularly changed by its cleansing power because of our lack of reverence for this holy ordinance.

These thoughts, especially with Elder Hallstrom's comments lead us to another, closely related, topic -- Conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  A separate topic that will begin with Elder Hallstrom (4/12) and Elder Bednar's (10/12) talks.