Misshalfway Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 I wonder at times if we get too caught up in the symbolism of which hand to use and forget the principles of “clean hands and a pure heart,” or “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.”I would think doing the ordinance correctly would be a sign of a contrite spirit. Quote
beefche Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Posted August 18, 2009 I would think doing the ordinance correctly would be a sign of a contrite spirit.Thanks, Miss 1/2. Why can't we make it a habit to use our right hand? It's not that I've never taken it with my left hand, but it is now habit for me to use my right hand. To me, it is just like raising my hand to sustain someone. I almost always use my right hand, but there have been occasions when my right hand was occupied (usually with a kiddo) and so I used my left hand. Quote
NeuroTypical Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Random thoughts: * I'm all for y'all taking the sacrament with whatever hand you see fit. I don't mind you suggesting I do it too, and mentioning blessings y'all might see me having if I chose to comply. If you can stop there, we're fine. If you figure there's something wrong with me for using my left hand, that's where we might have a disagreement. * I'm happy if y'all take joy and symbolic meaning about how the sacrament is administered, what with the fancy tablecloth being lifted up and the deacons looking their best and all. Just know that the scriptures only indicate three symbolic elements - the bread, the water, and the guy saying the prayer kneels. Anything else is optional, IMO. * I once participated in an endowment session led by a guy with a disfigured right hand with missing or crooked fingers. He did everything an endowment session leader would normally do. LM Quote
sixpacktr Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 (edited) I found this on the web, which may be helpful. MOE was right when he said that the left was the 'sinister' in Latin...Why Do We Partake of the Sacrament With the Right Hand?So the Lord does hold some emphasis on the right hand, apparently, unless I missed something in this reading. It may have been, in those very early days, something that others did and the Lord built on that so that the gravity of the situation would be understood, I don't know, but the Lord is very obvious in talking about the 'right hand'.FWIW... Edited August 18, 2009 by sixpacktr Quote
Misshalfway Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Why can't we just take the sacrament with the right hand and get focused on what the sacrament is really all about? (yes. I am exasperated. I admit it. Perhaps I need some cookies.) Quote
Vort Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 I found this on the web, which may be helpful. MOE was right when he said that the left was the 'sinister' in Latin...Why Do We Partake of the Sacrament With the Right Hand?"Sinister" is the Latin word for "left", as in "the left hand" -- hence Ned Flanders' geeky joke about having a "sinister reason" for inviting people to the announcement of his new store, "The Leftorium". "Dexter" is Latin for "right", as in "the right hand" -- hence the word "dextrous" meaning "deft and coordinated".Doubtless this word usage reflects ancient, long-rooted prejudices about the right and left hands, which in turn contributes to the symbolism of our covenants. As I have already noted, I personally take and pass the sacrament with my right hand for this very reason (that is, symbolic covenants). But I do get a bit concerned that people might overstress a minor, unimportant symbolic gesture and make it the centerpiece of that element of worship. That would be a tragedy. Quote
Wingnut Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 To me, it is just like raising my hand to sustain someone. I almost always use my right hand, but there have been occasions when my right hand was occupied (usually with a kiddo) and so I used my left hand.There's a difference there, in that we are specifically asked to use our right hand for sustaining.I found this on the web, which may be helpful. MOE was right when he said that the left was the 'sinister' in Latin...Why Do We Partake of the Sacrament With the Right Hand?It's also mentioned in the article that I linked to above.Why can't we just take the sacrament with the right hand and get focused on what the sacrament is really all about?(yes. I am exasperated. I admit it. Perhaps I need some cookies.)Why can't we just take the sacrament with whichever hand we want and get focused on what the sacrament is really all about? Quote
Wingnut Posted August 18, 2009 Posted August 18, 2009 · Hidden Hidden Why can't we just take the sacrament with the right hand and get focused on what the sacrament is really all about?(yes. I am exasperated. I admit it. Perhaps I need some cookies.)Why can't we just take the sacrament with the whichever hand we want and get focused on what the sacrament is really all about?
beefche Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Posted August 18, 2009 Why can't we just take the sacrament with whichever hand we want and get focused on what the sacrament is really all about?Why are you assuming that the "right-handers" aren't focused on the sacrament even if they take it with their left hand? Quote
Wingnut Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Why are you assuming that the "right-handers" aren't focused on the sacrament even if they take it with their left hand?Because "the right-handers" keep focusing on taking it with their right hand. I think we should forget and hands and just think about the symbolism and the covenants. Quote
john doe Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 As a left-hander I'm getting a kick out of all this. Quote
Vort Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Because "the right-handers" keep focusing on taking it with their right hand. I think we should forget and hands and just think about the symbolism and the covenants.Do you feel the same way about baptizing -- the man performing the ordinance should not worry about which hand he's raising to the square, but should be thinking about the symbolism and covenant? Do you feel the same about temple worship? For many people, part of "think[ing] about the symbolism and the covenants" involves using the right hand.The difference in my examples above is that, under normal circumstances, the other ordinances mentioned are supposed to be performed with the right hand. As far as I know, the sacrament is no less efficacious if taken (or even administered) with the left hand. Nevertheless, I don't see using the right hand for sacrament as somehow removing the focus on the ordinance, unless you're watching to see if your neighbor uses his or her right hand. And if that's the case, your problem isn't with which hand you're using. Quote
Misshalfway Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Because "the right-handers" keep focusing on taking it with their right hand. I think we should forget and hands and just think about the symbolism and the covenants.How can you focus on the symbolism if you have removed the symbol? Quote
Wingnut Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Do you feel the same way about baptizing -- the man performing the ordinance should not worry about which hand he's raising to the square, but should be thinking about the symbolism and covenant? Do you feel the same about temple worship? For many people, part of "think[ing] about the symbolism and the covenants" involves using the right hand.Those things are specifically supposed to be done with the right hand. There is no definitive statement or instruction to that nature regarding the Sacrament.As far as I know, the sacrament is no less efficacious if taken (or even administered) with the left hand.That is my point exactly.Nevertheless, I don't see using the right hand for sacrament as somehow removing the focus on the ordinance..If you read my first post on this thread, I stated that I use my right hand to partake of the Sacrament. My reason, however, for doing that is because I'm right-handed and it feels natural and comfortable.I don't see using the right hand for the Sacrament as removing the focus at all. I see the focus on using the right as removing the focus on the ordinance. If you use your right hand, fine. If you use your left hand, fine. Quote
Guest Believer_1829 Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 I think we should take it with our right foot because it helps remind us to keeps ourselves grounded in the covenants we make. :sigh: Quote
Misshalfway Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 I think we should take it with our right foot because it helps remind us to keeps ourselves grounded in the covenants we make.:sigh:Ok....so you funny little joke doesn't support my point. No bother. I must commend good comedy when I see it. Quote
Guest Believer_1829 Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 I'll be here all week, folks. Quote
Misshalfway Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 The truth is that I don't care if the congregation does it with the right or the left. Everyone is at a different understanding I would guess. Cool. But I think we should do it the way Christ taught us to do it and the way the brethren advise. Don't you? Jesus does seem to be rather particular about some ordinances. I just feel crazy when I see that doing it with the "right" is now considered "missing the boat." And I am also concerned when we start to say it doesn't matter. I know it is a little thing, but maybe its not. Quote
Guest Believer_1829 Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Where does Christ instruct us to take it with our right hand? Kneeling together as a church is specified... what about that? Why are people focused on something NOT spoken of, but ignore something that IS spoken of? Quote
Misshalfway Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Well, that is a good point, believer. Perhaps Wings quote earlier from the brethren says it all. There is significance in using the right hand, but perhaps it isn't as important as I am arguing today. It is clear that Christ didn't care whether the sacrament itself was water or wine. So perhaps the hand we use to take it isn't either. I guess it was my understanding that the brethren had taught us to do it this way. I am willing to be wrong on that. ...... But only this once. Quote
Justice Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Because "the right-handers" keep focusing on taking it with their right hand. I think we should forget and hands and just think about the symbolism and the covenants.To me, covenants are made symbolically with the right hand because Christ is on the right hand of the Father, and we must go through Christ to get to the Father. So, when I make or renew covenants I use my right hand.When I see people use their left hand I figure it's their business.However, when we are discussing what is proper, we are allowed to say what we think without condemning people who disagree, correct?You assume that I lose something in the covenant process by intentionally taking the sacrament with my right hand. It seems to me you are losing something by thinking I am losing something by taking the sacrament with the right hand. All I'm interested in when I take the sacrament is renewing my baptismal covenants. The person who baptized me raised their right arm to the square, so I use my right arm. It's really not a distraction for me. In fact, it helps me feel I am renewing my covenant. That doesn't mean I look down in the slightest on anyone who takes with their left hand, or that I lose something by taking with my right hand. Quote
beefche Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Posted August 18, 2009 I think we should take it with our right foot because it helps remind us to keeps ourselves grounded in the covenants we make.:sigh:Note to self: when visiting believer's ward, make sure to sit in a place where I can take the sacrament BEFORE he does. Quote
Misshalfway Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Thank you Justice. You said what i wanted to only way better. Quote
Guest Believer_1829 Posted August 18, 2009 Report Posted August 18, 2009 Note to self: when visiting believer's ward, make sure to sit in a place where I can take the sacrament BEFORE he does.What if I'm the Bishop? Quote
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