FHE Thought: Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

Elder H. Aldridge GillespieOf the Seventy in November 2000 Ensign said; The Sabbath lasts all day! In a revelation “especially applicable to the saints in Zion,” 6 the Lord states that the Sabbath was given that we might keep ourselves “unspotted from the world.” 7 It is a day to partake of the sacrament, a day “to pay [our] devotions unto the Most High,” 8 a day of “fasting and prayer,” 9 a day to offer our time, talent, and means in service to our God and our fellowmen, 10 a day to “[confess our] sins [to our] brethren, and before the Lord.” 11 It is also a good day to pay our tithes and fast offerings, a day to be marked by sincere sacrifice of the pursuits and pleasures of the world. It is a day to keep the Sabbath covenant, 12 a day of “rejoicing and prayer,” 13 a day of “cheerful hearts and countenances.” 14

The prophet Spencer W. Kimball counseled: “The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, sleeping, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day to which he is expected. [Failure] to do these proper things is a transgression on the omission side.” 16

Our beloved prophet Gordon B. Hinckley has promised: “If you have any doubt about the wisdom, the divinity of observing the Sabbath Day, … stay home and gather your family about you, teach them the gospel, enjoy yourselves together on the Sabbath Day, come to your meetings, participate. You will know that the principle of the Sabbath is a true principle which brings with it great blessings.” 17

Jesus taught, “The sabbath was made for man.” 18 What does that mean? It means for a man to have the joy and happiness which the gospel promises, on this day he must sacrifice the world, set aside his employment as possible, and keep the eternal covenant of the Sabbath day. The Lord commanded: “Wherefore the children of Israel [which includes all Latter-day Saints] shall keep the sabbath … throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever.” 19
Of all people on the earth, the Latter-day Saints must lead out in sanctifying this appointed day each week. “Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,” said the Lord, “ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” 20

To this very day, “the matter of Sabbath observance remains … as one of the great tests which divides the righteous from the worldly and wicked,” said Elder Bruce R. McConkie. 21

This was one of the hardest things that I had to change in my life. I grew up hunting, fishing, camping and doing many family activities on the weekends including Sundays. But, I can testify that having been on both sides, it is truly a blessing to follow the Saviors example and strive to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. One of the changes Julie and I made some years ago was to wear our Sunday clothes all day on the Sabbath. Although it's a little hard on the threads, it has helped us to stay focused on what the day is all about.

Love you all, Dad