Proper Sabbath Day observance
- President Spencer W. Kimball, in his masterpiece book entitled “The Miracle of Forgiveness”, said the following regarding the Sabbath Day: “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.”
- Consider the following remarks from an unnamed source: “You ask if it is wrong to take rides on the Sabbath, to view television and listen to the radio. Certainly it is not in harmony with the day to view shows on crime and scenes of murder, banditry, and other things contrary to the spirit of the gospel: and it must be admitted that these dominate the picture shows. So far as my practice is concerned, the radio and television are not turned on in the home on the Sabbath day, except to listen to religious sermons or other programs sponsored by the Church. We never go automobile riding on the Sabbath except in the line of religious duty and appointment. The Sabbath day is a day when you are required to offer your time and attention in worship of the Lord, whether in meeting, in the home, or wherever you may be – that is the thought that should occupy your mind.”
- President Joseph Fielding Smith’s ‘guide to proper Sabbath day observance’: YEA = Church attendance, partaking of the sacrament, rest, confession, fasting, praying, feeding the spirit, scripture study, Church history study, journal writing, family history work, Church programs, religious service, family togetherness, “none other thing”. NAY = Work, athletics and sports, games, amusements, homework, play, movies, television, radio, automobile riding.
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