Keeping the Sabbath/Lord's Day holy?

Question

I have to give a lesson in Elder's Quorum this Sunday on Keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Do you have any suggestions, stories, etc. that you think would be helpful?

Thanks

I know that the Jewish Sabbath is Friday night to Saturday night. After Christ was resurrected on Sunday, the holy day was changed to honor Him.

Please, if you aren't going to answer my question, don't bother replying.

Answer 1

I've always wanted that lesson to be more about a conversation amongst the attendees on ways they strive to keep it holy, and things they've tried or heard about, instead of the old "you know you should, here's what the Prophets say about it, here's what to avoid, here's what to do instead" lesson.
I have no clue whatsoever about what goes on in EQ, but in RS, it seems we have a lot of either reading from the book, or GC talk, or somehow skirting the issue. I mean we all know that we feel better when we keep the Sabbath holy. We all have been taught the principles of keeping the Sabbath day holy, but we tend to get stuck when it comes to identifying what constitutes breaking the Sabbath on a personal level and what constitutes keeping the Sabbath on a personal level. For me, not watching TV on Sunday is hard. Most of the time I wind up watching at least some TV, if not a lot. I know I shouldn't, because I notice that it drives the Spirit away and most of the time I don't go to bed on time because of it. I've tried many things to keep from watching TV on Sundays. I've visited family, napped, journaled, worked on Family History. I've even cooked and cleaned in an effort to fill up time so I'm not tempted to turn it on. I've listened to music, I've read good books, I've studied my scriptures, called friends, went Visiting Teaching, had my Home Teachers over, cleaned out closets, played games on the computer, and anything else I can think of to do, but in the past 15 years I've only NOT watched TV on Sunday once. It's something I keep striving to do, but I'm far from mastering it. I've pondered some of the things I've tried to do to avoid the TV, and I realize that for some people it would be sacralidge to cook or clean or have VT/HT over on a Sunday, and that for others, their problem may be that they are just so busy with work, family, church callings, and life in general that Sunday may be the only time they have off, so they don't even think twice about turning on the TV on Sunday. But for me it's a problem, and at times it really bothers me that I can't seem to master this one little thing. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe you should try some Sabbath Day helps instead of the same old tired lesson that we've all heard before. Something that people would use, and not just "the Prophet said..." although those are great too, but something that will help YOUR Quorum. You might ask them to give you some advice on such and such senario, to get the ball rolling.

Answer 2

Only Israel, through covenant, were required to keep the sabbath day holy, i.e. observe the day. The new covenant does not include this or any other points of law that fall within what are called "works" of the law or "deeds" of the law.

And Sunday was NEVER a replacement for the sabbath, where Sunday takes on the aspects of a sabbath in regards to being a rest day, or a holy day. It morphed into this over time, where religious leaders turned it into a "work" of a man-made law of religion.

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Answer 3

I'm unsure what a Quorum is and im too lazy to find out but as to keeping the Sabbath day holy, I think that the parable about the man who helped save an animal on the sabbath when he wasn't suppose to work is a good example. Well thats all i got. Adios lol

Answer 4

Well, I don't know if this will help, but I am a student (again) and so is my husband. We never study on Sunday (no matter how tempting it may be.) I made that commitment when I was in high-school, and I always got help from the Spirit when I was doing my exams... and got excellent marks. The Spirit also helps me to absorb things that I read (now that I am older and my brain is less retentive). Keeping the Sabbath Day was (and is) for me a sanity saver... having a break from the stress of study. I knew/know that, no matter what, I will not have to do any study on Sunday. That is very comforting.

P.S. I also generally reserve Saturdays as the sacred day of fun (or housecleaning). That also helps to reduce stress. The Lord knew what we needed for our physical, mental and spiritual health when he instituted the laws of Sabbath day observance.

Love
MumOf4.

Answer 5

There is not a moment in my life passing without my respect for God. Sunday sabbath day I take a bath.

I have reached out to many in need Elder, not because I had to but because I could. I have lifted spirits and faith and given the means of self support and substances to those in need because I cared and could. On long lonely highways I have sustained my faith as people neglected me and threw beer bottles at me in sport in the middle of nowhere. I have been on mountaintops my Brother, and looked out on Gods creation in wonderment.
I could of gone to Viet Nam and killed people who were no different from me or you, but fought to stay and serve here where I was most likely to do the best I could. Some of my buddies did not return from that war.
My ministry is here and now and I have served an ongoing mission for 38 years to help others.
EVERY MOMENT is the Sabbath.
For a very powerful message for your Quorum, look up the song "Mary Did You Know" - and if you read it or sing it you will know my faith and respect for you and the church.

Answer 6

Perhaps to keep the day holy one should not work, preach, give lessons, travel on public transport or in any other vehicle.

Perhaps to keep the Sabbath truly holy one should Be Still and Know the God within.

Be still, calm, quiet, reflect on ones own being and ones relationship with God and God's Love, Life, Light, Truth, the blade of grass - can you find God in it?

It's a pleasure - but even more of a pleasure to B Still and Know!

Answer 7

Do you know when the sabbath is? It's Friday sundown to Saturday sundown. Constantine changed it to Sunday in order to make it easier for pagan Romans to convert, since the pagans worshipped their fake gods on Sunday. You should probably start with honoring the correct day. I really don't think "honor the sabbath and keep it holy" meant "or you can change it to Sunday if its easier'.

One shouldn't work on the sabbath, shouldn't be cleaning house, grocery shopping, hanging out at the mall, etc..

Answer 8

You are Mormon, yes? I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the Sabbath and Sabbath keeping is not part of the New Testament Church. It was the token or sign of the Mosaic law. Christians are not under law, but grace. There is no call for Sabbath keeping in the New Testament. The only type of Sabbath that is for the believer is the Sabbath rest we as Christians enter into when we rest from our works for salvation and receive salvation by grace alone.

Answer 9

Teach the lesson on a Saturday, the TRUE Sabbath Day.

Answer 10

well .. i suggest not trying to change the day of going to church ... sunday is for assembling ... saturday is the sabbath and its a day of no work or chasing ur own pleasures and fasting ..