The Sabbath day is a wonderful blessing from Heavenly Father. We are commanded to set aside this day to honor the Lord. In “Miracle of Forgiveness” President Spencer W. Kimball said:
“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. To fail to do these proper things is a transgression on the omission side.” (pp. 96–97.)
As a child I had a hard time with keeping the Sabbath day holy. I looked at it as a day of “can nots.” You can not watch TV. You can not do your homework. As I entered college and made the choice to keep the Sabbath day holy, it became a day of cans. I looked forward to Sunday, as a day where I took a break from studying my lessons, and focused on the scriptures. I wrote in my journal, and wrote letters to friends and family. It was a day to remember the Lord and I truly felt that I was blessed for this decision.
One of the most important activities I complete on Sundays is preparing to feel the spirit and partake of the gospel during church. The more time I have spent before church studying the scriptures and the lessons, the more I feel the spirit during church. I am able to leave feeling rejuvenated and grateful for this wonderful day.
The commandment provides for both our spiritual and temporal needs. It allows us to rest and to take a day away from the stress of day-to-day activities once a week. It allows us to spend an entire day strengthening our relationship with the Savior. As I take the time to make the most of the Sabbath, it strengthens me for the rest of week. What blessings have you received from keeping the Sabbath day holy?