Then and Now
by Becky Shaw


 

I set the items on opposite ends of the table–one end, "then," one end, "now."

Then: I had a plate made from wood. I also talked about how their bread was probably unleavened bread, which I didn’t have, but I showed a piece of pita bread and said it probably looked a lot like that. I set it on the tray, but because of my Bishop’s advice, I didn’t break it up into pieces, just left it whole.

Now: I asked the Bishop if I could display a sacrament bread tray, and I set a piece of bread on it.

Then: I had a cup made from wood (it was kind of in the shape of a goblet, but it was wood). I didn’t actually use a drink, but I did talk about how they used wine (grape juice).

Now: Again, I got a sacrament water tray and put one of the cups in it (no water, though).

Then: I asked one of the boys in the group to come up and I "dressed" him in "old" clothes–draped a large piece of neutral-colored cloth over one shoulder and tied a sash around his waist. He stood by the "old" sacrament items.

Now: I asked one of the boys in the group that was dressed to "sacrament-standards" to come and stand by the "now" sacrament items. I didn’t have the boys hold any sacrament items because of the counsel of the Bishop.

Then you wrap up by saying that although the sacrament might have looked a lot different then, we are still performing the same ordinance that was given by Jesus. I read the sacrament prayers and talked about the covenants being the same.