Sunday Lesson: June 28th

The Teaching of our Times Lesson was on Elder Russell M. Nelson's most recent conference talk The Sabbath Is A Delight. Elder Nelson asks the question: "What did the Savior mean when He said, 'the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath'?" Elder Nekson says that, "He wanted us to understand that the Sabbath was His gift to us, granting real respite from the rigors of daily life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal. God gave us this special day, not for amusement or daily labor but for a rest from duty, with physical and spiritual relief."

Our teacher had us read about five sisters who have a five different perspectives on the Sabbath Day. These women are Barbara Burden, Michelle My Day,Heather Holiday, Rachel Rester, and Wilma Wise. We can learn from these 'sisters' and their attitude about the Sabbath and try to make sure our choices on Sunday's are in accordance with what God would have us be doing. Elder Nelson says, "It wasn't until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don'ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, 'What sign do I want to give God?' That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear."

Elder Nelson asks another question: "How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing?" In his message Elder Nelson gives wonderful suggestions to make the Sabbath delightful and memorable. He tells us that we should be teaching the gospel to our children. In a First Presidency letter from 1999 we are given this counsel: "We call upon parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions in carring forward this God-given responsibility."

Something else that we can do on the Sabbath is engage in Family History Work. Elder Nelson teaches us, "Searching for and finding family members who have preceded you on earth - those who did not have an opportunity to accept the gospel while here - can bring immense joy."

Another way we can make the Sabbath a delight is by rendering service to others. "Serve those who are not feeling well or those who are lonely or in need. Lifting their spirits will lift yours as well." In Isaiah 58:13-14 the prophet Isiah taught us how to make the Sabbath more delightful. He said: "If thou turn away...from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, . . . .and shalt honour [the Lord], not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord." Elder Nelson adds, "Not pursuing your 'own pleasure' on the Sabbath requires self-discipline. You may have to deny yourself of something you might like. If you choose to delight yourself in the Lord, you will not permit yourself to treat it as any other day. Routine and recreational activities can be done some other time." 

Elder Nelson finally teaches us that, "Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight."