Study Guide for "I Feel My Savior’s Love"

In this Easter message, Elder Pedro X. Larreal teaches that one of the clearest ways to feel the Savior’s love is through worthy, reverent participation in the sacrament. He connects the sacrament to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the promise of the Holy Ghost, and the spiritual protection disciples need in the latter days. The talk invites readers to prepare more intentionally for sacrament meeting, remember that the Savior gave His body and blood for each of us personally, and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

How does the sacrament help me feel the Savior’s personal love for me?
Why is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost essential in our day?
What does it mean to partake of the sacrament with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?
How can I prepare more spiritually and reverently for sacrament meeting?
What distractions might keep me from remembering the Savior during the sacrament?
How does the sacrament connect me to the Savior’s Atonement and Resurrection?
What promises does the Lord attach to remembering Him through the sacrament?

Topics

Seek the Savior’s love through the sacrament

Elder Larreal begins with the question of whether we know how much the Savior loves us and teaches that the sacrament is a powerful way to discover that love. As disciples focus on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice during the ordinance, they can feel that they matter to Him personally and remember that He willingly acts as their Advocate with the Father.

My dear brothers and sisters, do you know how much the Savior loves you?

If you do not know or have never thought about it before, I hope by the end of this message you will know how to find the answer to this question.

The sacrament represents the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

During that sacred moment, when we give our full attention to Him and focus on His atoning sacrifice, how can we not feel His great love for us?

How can we not feel important when we remember that He willingly volunteered to be the Advocate between us and the Father?

According to Elder Larreal, how can a person come to know how much the Savior loves them?
What does the sacrament represent?
Why does focusing on the Savior’s atoning sacrifice help us feel His love?
What does the talk teach about the Savior’s role as our Advocate?
When have I felt the Savior’s love during the sacrament?
What can I do to give my full attention to Jesus Christ during the sacrament ordinance?
How would my worship change if I remembered more personally that the Savior is my Advocate?
What experiences could I record that have helped me know the Savior loves me personally?

Rely on the Holy Ghost to survive spiritually

The talk emphasizes prophetic warnings that in the latter days spiritual survival requires the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. Because the adversary is effective at disguising truth, disciples need the Holy Ghost to avoid deception and to make correct choices. Elder Larreal teaches that the sacrament renews this needed influence each week.

In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

One of the many reasons you will need the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is that you live in a season in which the adversary has become so effective at disguising truth that if you don’t have the Holy Ghost, you will be deceived.

We can renew that influence of the Holy Ghost each week by personally preparing to partake of the sacrament.

The gift of the Holy Ghost is the compass that leads us to make correct choices and sanctifies us from all sin.

It is vital. As President Nelson said, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the companionship of the Holy Ghost in these latter days.

Why does Elder Larreal say the constant influence of the Holy Ghost is necessary today?
How does the adversary’s deception increase our need for the Holy Ghost?
What role does the Holy Ghost play in helping us make choices?
How is the influence of the Holy Ghost renewed through the sacrament?
In what situations do I most need the guidance of the Holy Ghost right now?
How have I seen the adversary disguise truth in my environment or culture?
What changes in my weekly preparation could help me receive the Holy Ghost more consistently?
How can I better recognize the Holy Ghost as a compass in my daily decisions?

Remember the Savior and claim His promised Spirit

Elder Larreal points to the Savior’s visit to the Americas and His institution of the sacrament among the Nephites and Lamanites. The Lord taught that those who repent and are baptized should partake in remembrance of His blood and witness to the Father that they always remember Him. In return, He promises that they will have His Spirit to be with them.

The resurrected Lord emphasized the importance of the sacrament when He visited the Americas and instituted this ordinance among the faithful Nephites and Lamanites.

And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me.

And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.

As we partake of this ordinance with a broken heart, the Lord promises us the blessing of having the companionship and constant guidance of the Holy Ghost.

What did the resurrected Lord teach about the purpose of the sacrament in the Americas?
Who did the Savior say should receive the sacrament?
What witness do we make to the Father when we partake of the sacrament?
What promise is attached to always remembering the Savior?
What helps me remember the Savior more deliberately during the sacrament prayers and ordinance?
How can I show the Father through my actions during the week that I truly want to remember Jesus Christ always?
What does having the Savior’s Spirit with me look like in my life?
How can repentance deepen my sacrament worship?

Come with a broken heart and a contrite spirit

The talk teaches that the sacrament replaced the sacrifices of the Mosaic law and directs disciples to a higher offering: a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Elder Larreal connects this inward offering to the Savior’s promise of baptism with fire and with the Holy Ghost. Worthy sacrament participation is not merely outward observance but humble, repentant coming unto Christ.

The sacrament is the ordinance that replaces the sacrifices of blood and burnt offerings of the Mosaic law.

As we partake of this ordinance, we can receive the promise given by the Savior.

And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

As we partake of this ordinance with a broken heart, the Lord promises us the blessing of having the companionship and constant guidance of the Holy Ghost.

How does Elder Larreal describe the relationship between the sacrament and the law of Moses?
What offering does the Lord now ask of His disciples?
What promise is given to those who come unto Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?
Why is inner humility important in sacrament worship?
What does a broken heart and a contrite spirit mean to me personally?
How can I prepare through repentance before coming to sacrament meeting?
What attitudes or sins do I need to surrender more fully to the Lord?
How has humble repentance helped me feel the Holy Ghost more strongly?

Recognize that the sacrament is for you personally

Using the Savior’s words in Luke, Elder Larreal highlights the repeated use of the word you to show that the sacrament is deeply personal. Christ’s body was given and His blood was shed for each individual. This truth helps disciples understand that the ordinance is not abstract or merely collective; it is a personal witness of the Savior’s love for every son and daughter of God.

When Christ spoke these words found in Luke, He was focused on us; the sacrament was given for our benefit.

Notice again what He says: "This is my body which is given for you."

And in the following verse, He says, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

Dear brothers and sisters, the Lord uses the pronoun you again and again to emphasize and remind us that the sacrament is for us—for you and for me!

What does Elder Larreal want listeners to notice in the Savior’s words in Luke?
How does the repeated use of the word you deepen the meaning of the sacrament?
What does this teaching reveal about the Savior’s love for individuals?
Why is it important to see the sacrament as personal rather than impersonal?
How does it affect me to think of the Savior saying "for you" personally to me?
What can I do to remember during the sacrament that Christ suffered and died for me individually?
When have I felt that the Savior knew me personally?
How can I help others in my family feel the personal nature of the sacrament?

Honor sacrament meeting as the Church’s most sacred meeting

Elder Larreal teaches that the ordinance of the sacrament makes sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church. He urges members to remove worldly thoughts, be prayerful and reverent, and avoid distractions such as secular reading or checking cell phones. This sacred time is meant for remembering the Savior, feeling His love, and receiving strength through His Spirit.

The ordinance of the sacrament makes sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church.

During the sacrament, we should strive to remove every worldly thought from our minds.

This is time to be prayerful and reverent, not a time for reading secular books or magazines, nor is it a time for checking our cell phones.

This sacred time is to feel His love for us and remember Him, to know that we are never alone and that His Spirit will be with us to help us during trials and challenges.

Why does Elder Larreal call sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church?
What attitudes should characterize us during the sacrament?
What specific distractions does he warn against?
What blessings can come as we use this time reverently?
What worldly thoughts or habits most often distract me during the sacrament?
How can I improve my reverence before and during sacrament meeting?
What practical steps can I take with my phone, reading materials, or family routines to better focus on the ordinance?
How have I felt strengthened in trials because I worshipped reverently during the sacrament?

Prepare each week to renew covenant blessings

The talk invites members to elevate their spiritual preparation and reverence as they partake of the sacrament. Elder Larreal cites President Dallin H. Oaks’s teaching that appropriate weekly participation in the sacrament qualifies us for the promise that we will always have the Savior’s Spirit to be with us. Weekly preparation matters because covenant renewal brings guidance, comfort, and sanctifying power.

We can renew that influence of the Holy Ghost each week by personally preparing to partake of the sacrament.

By participating weekly and appropriately in the ordinance of the sacrament, we qualify for the promise that we will "always have his Spirit to be with [us]."

I want to invite you, with all my strength and with all my love, to leave today determined to elevate your spiritual preparation and reverence as you partake of the sacrament.

What does Elder Larreal teach about weekly preparation for the sacrament?
What does it mean to participate "weekly and appropriately" in the sacrament?
What promise do we qualify for through worthy participation?
Why is consistent weekly renewal important?
What does my current sacrament preparation look like during the week and on Sunday morning?
What one change could help me prepare more intentionally each week?
How can I make repentance, prayer, and scripture study part of my sacrament preparation?
What blessings have I noticed when I prepare well for the sacrament?

Trust the living Christ and follow prophetic counsel

On Easter Sunday, Elder Larreal bears testimony that Jesus Christ lives, knows us, and stands ready to help us with outstretched arms. He also testifies of the prophetic mantle of President Dallin H. Oaks and echoes President Russell M. Nelson’s warning about the need for the Holy Ghost. The talk closes by anchoring sacrament worship in faith in the living Christ and confidence in prophetic guidance.

On this Easter Sunday, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I want to invite you, with all my strength and with all my love, to leave today determined to elevate your spiritual preparation and reverence as you partake of the sacrament.

I know that Jesus Christ lives and He knows us.

His arms are always outstretched and ready to help us.

He loves us beyond what we can comprehend.

I testify of the sacred mantle of our prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks, as a prophet, seer, and revelator.

What truths does Elder Larreal testify of concerning Jesus Christ?
How does the Resurrection add meaning to the invitation to partake of the sacrament reverently?
What role do living prophets play in this message?
How does prophetic counsel help us prepare for the challenges of the latter days?
How has my testimony that Jesus Christ lives influenced my sacrament worship?
What recent prophetic counsel do I feel prompted to follow more carefully?
How have I experienced the Savior’s help when I turned to Him?
What can I do this week to act more fully on the counsel in this talk?