sacrament for the sick or homebound

I honorably hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and I am an ordained High Priest.

I have a question regarding administration of the sacrament in the homes of those who are home-bound or too ill to attend Church.
i.e. If my wife or I fall ill and cannot attend Church for an extended period of time, CAN I, personally, as a PH holder administer the sacrament to us in our own home??? If so, this would alleviate the inconvenience of asking another PH holder or two, to come to our home to administer it.

Would I need to clear this with my bishop beforehand, or can I just perform the sacrament ordinance as needed?

Thank you, Brother DL

Papaga wrote:Would I need to clear this with my bishop beforehand,

Handbook 2: 18.2.2 - "Sacrament Services in Unusual Situations" indicates that you do need approval.

During this time with the coro-19 virus as a preisthood holder in my home can I adminsiter the sacrement?

Please see this notice: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.or ... -suspended

Per the third-to-last paragraph, it appears you should contact your bishop.

We in the UK have been put under a pretty severe shutdown scenario since the prime minister's address on monday the 23rd of March with very little opportunity to leave our homes, except for food, medicine, etc. and then only when absolutely necessary, with fines being imposed if not strictly adhered to. We have been told, up to this point, that it is up to our Stake President and Bishop to decide whether we should provide sacrament to individuals in their homes here in the UK. In our stake, we have been told it is ok to provide Sacrament in individuals homes so long as both parties are comfortable with it and recommended safety measures are adhered to. Since the speech included more stringent provisions than previously mentioned, has there been any additional guidance for us from church headquarters for those of us here in the UK? Some members are uncomfortable providing the sacrament to members in their homes during the pandemic, and are worried about spreading the virus to members or bringing it home to friends and family, but out of a sense of duty and possibly guilt, they feel they should do it anyway. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank You.

ansonbentley wrote:has there been any additional guidance for us from church headquarters for those of us here in the UK?

I'd think specific instructions would be coming from the area authority.

In my stake in the US, the bishop has said that ministering bothers will not be passing the sacrament until the local "Stay at home/work from home" has lifted. I don't think the situation here is as dire as the one you're currently experiencing.

Our Stake President has said we should follow the government guidelines which basically says that we should not be visiting anyone unless it is as a carer for a vulnerable person. He has said we can administer the Sacrament in our own home, we should not visit other family members, or anyone else, to perform this ordinance.
I am sure that your stake president will have issued guidance to your Bishop about this.

Some perspective helps. Sacrament meetings have been discontinued for only two weeks. Some general authorities, who visit stake conferences almost every week, are only able to partake of the sacrament on a monthly or quarterly basis.

There was a time in church history (1856-57) when no one in the church partook of the sacrament for many months. (See Saints, Volume 2, Chapter 17)

We've just been informed today, by our Bishop, that we are now to stop passing of the sacrament in anyone's homes other than our own. This only includes those who are living in our homes with us.

Each unit will be different, based on the local needs and directions from those holding the Keys for that unit. The brethren are directing the response, through stake presidents, bishops, and branch presidents who will disseminate to the ward as best fits their local needs and abilities. The Lord's house is a house of order - isn't it comforting and wonderful that we imperfect people can be a part of His perfect plan?

ansonbentley wrote:We've just been informed today, by our Bishop, that we are now to stop passing of the sacrament in anyone's homes other than our own.

The bishop holds the keys for your ward. Follow his instructions. Other ward bishops and stake presidents may have given different instructions to priesthood holders in the units over which they preside.

That said, it is interesting to note that our bishop just gave the same instruction this afternoon to our elders quorum president. And so our two wards, under the inspired leadership of our two bishops, will be following the same instruction for now.

Isn't revelation wonderful?

I am very pleased to hear that Stake presidents and Bishops are advising that the Sacrament is not to be ministered outside of the eligible priesthood holders home. Since March 12th when the directive to hold sacrament mtgs in the home was given, due to a rise on COVID-19 cases, many countries have tightened their legislation around who can leave their homes and for what purpose. Ministering to another person by taking them the sacrament puts too many people at risk during a lockdown period. Whether the Priesthood holder is happy to go or not, they are compromising the good work of those who are keeping to the lockdown and risking the safety of others. I live in new Zealand where some Stake Presidents have given the directive not to take the Sacrament to other peoples homes, including my own Stake President. Other Stake Presidents however are still waiting for a directive from the Area presidency, who in turn are waiting for a directive from SLC, even though are Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has declared a State of National Emergency and has advised everyone except for essential services to stay at home. This should not be something that's left to the discretion of a Stake President. Please, please SLC, in the interests of health and safety, and keeping the law of the land, advise your Area Authorities to cease allowing the sacrament to be taken to other peoples homes.

We believe ... in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. (Article of Faith 12.)

To administer the sacrament outside of church requires permission from the bishop. Just because priesthood leaders have not said anything does not give priesthood holders authority to take the sacrament to others on their own. If priesthood leaders have not said anything, they have not given permission. The sacrament should not be taken to others unless specific permission is given.

And at the moment, it appears that permission should not be given, especially in places where local laws and orders prohibit visiting and other travel.

lajackson wrote:Just because priesthood leaders have not said anything does not give priesthood holders authority to take the sacrament to others on their own. If priesthood leaders have not said anything, they have not given permission. The sacrament should not be taken to others unless specific permission is given.

In the days just after all meetings were canceled worldwide, some bishops did give permission. In which case, they'll need to rescind that.

My bishop gave such permission after the meetings were canceled, but changed that after the local government announced a "stay at home" policy.

The most recent communication from the bishop of my ward is that ministering brothers who hold the office of priest or who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood may take the sacrament to the families they are officially assigned to minister to, as long as all parties are comfortable with it. Just a personal opinion: I'm glad the Church (last I heard) is leaving the decision to stake presidents and bishops, because risk factors and government restrictions vary by locale and with time.