Resting From Our Labors

“Sometimes we think of resting from our labors as merely letting the hay baler stand idle in the field or putting a Closed sign on the business door. Yet in today’s world, labor includes the everyday work of our lives. This mean business activities we may accomplish from home, athletic competitions, and other pursuits that take us away from Sabbath day worship and the opportunity to minister to others.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 2011, 6-9.

The Sacrament Table

Elder Melvin J. Ballard has suggested, “We want every Latter-day Saint to come to the sacrament table because it is the place for self-investigation, for self-inspection, where we may learn to rectify our course and to make right our own lives, bringing ourselves into harmony with the teachings of the Church and with our brethren and sisters.”

In Bryant S. Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard (1949), 150. 

Offer Up Our Sacraments

“What does it mean to offer up our sacraments to the Lord? We acknowledge that all of us make mistakes. Each of us has a need to confess and forsake our sins and errors to our Heavenly Father and to others we may have offended.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 2011, 6-9.

The Pattern of the Sabbath

“As we consider the pattern of the Sabbath and the sacrament in our own lives, there appear to be three things the Lord requires of us: first, to keep ourselves unspotted from the world; second, to go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments; and third, to rest from our labors.

“It is a glorious thing to be a Christian and to live as a true disciple of Christ. Of us He said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” To keep ourselves unspotted from the world, He expects us to avoid such worldly distractions of businesses and recreational facilities on the Sabbath day.

“I believe He also desire us to dress appropriately. Our youth may think the old saying “Sunday best” is outdated. Still, we know that when Sunday dress deteriorates to everyday attire, attitudes and actions follow.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 2011, 6-9.

Sacrament

“Partaking of the sacrament is the center of our Sabbath day observance.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 2011, 6-9.

Worship

“The Pattern of the Sabbath day observance must always include worship.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 2011, 6-9.

Observance of the Sabbath Day

“In the fourth chapter of Paul’s writings to Timothy, we read: “These things command and teach. . . . Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” I can think of no better way for us to begin or continue to be an example of the believers than in our observance of the Sabbath day.”

Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Sabbath and the Sacrament,” Ensign, May 2011, 6-9.