We often hear the phrase “an eye single to the glory of God” associated with what qualifies someone to be a missionary (see D&C 4:5).

Yet, the Lord uses the phrase in D&C 27 when explaining what we use as the emblems of the sacrament is not as important as why we do it.

“For, behold, I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins” (D&C 27:2).

This is subtle to me, but the Lord seems to define what is meant by an eye single to His glory “—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins.”

Could this actually be related to what qualifies someone as a missionary? I think so.

As long as you are remembering the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (having an eye single to His glory) along with faith, hope, charity, and love, you are qualified to be a missionary and do the work of salvation.

Why?

Because as you partake of the sacrament weekly, you are recommitting yourself to take upon yourself His name and recommitting to your baptismal covenants; more specifically, you are committing to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; . . . to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death” (see Mosiah 18:8-9).

That is exactly what a missionary does; as a missionary, you are living the pinnacle of commitment to the baptismal covenant. And as you partake of the sacrament each week, you recommit yourself to that purpose.

Pretty cool.

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Lead image courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1. see also “Sea Stacks and the Sacrament“