For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

Hey listeners, this is Nick from Scripture Central, and today's podcast addresses the question.

Why are we invited to partake of the sacrament with our right hand?

Latter-day Saints partake of the sacrament once a week, reflecting an ancient Christian practice meant to show the Lord's death till he come.

Furthermore, members of Christ restored church have been counseled to partake

of the sacrament with their right hand when possible. While this ritual action may seem trivial,

it actually has meaningful ancient roots that, unfortunately, are most lost on modern audiences.

Brent J. Schmidt has pointed out that the right hand was often used in ancient contexts

when making covenants, noting how some cultures would dedicate the right hand to different

deities when it was raised.

Similarly, Hugh Nibbley frequently referred to these ancient covenant gestures in his writings,

which often involved the raising the right hand in the air,

as well as extending it in ritual handclasps. This symbolism is found throughout the Bible. For example,

when making a covenant to not take anything unjustly from the King of Sodom, Abraham raised his right

hand and said, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth.

Through this covenantal action, both Abram and the King were able to come to an agreement and create an atmosphere of peace.

Reciprocally, the right hand of the Lord also shows up repeatedly in Psalms regarding

deliverance and salvation.

In Psalm 177, in Psalm 17 verse 7, the Lord is praised as the one that savest by the right

hand, them which put their trust in thee.

Psalm 118 verse 16 declares,

The right hand of the Lord is exalted. The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.

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