The following notes are from Bishop Franson's presentation to the Orchard Hills ward on the importance of Sabbath Day observance. As a Relief Society, we would like to encourage our sisters to review these notes and to prayerfully consider how we might we fulfill the bishop's challenge of setting one goal that we can start to work on with our families to increase the power of the Sabbath Day in our individual lives and in those of our family. Pay particular attention to the beautiful promises that are given to those who keep this sacred commandment. They are powerful!
Introduction
What are you concerned about or what is concerning in the world?
What are trends that are concerning to you? (World, nation, community, home)
*Today we are going to discuss a powerful solution to these concerns and how to turn the tide on the effect these modern day trends have on our families.
Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone:
"Whenever we find problems in the church, we usually find them under one of two umbrellas or canopies: either transgression or lack of faith in Jesus Christ."
Sabbath Day Topic Introduction
(The bishop shared video clips from a general training meeting that was held by members of the 12 apostles and other general auxillary leaders. Unfortunately these clips are not available so we have summarized their messages below.)
Elder Nelson video clip:
- Concern for those who are lost, key for building and strengthening faith is Sabbath day observance, preventing the erosion of our faith
Elder Ballard video clip:
- Considerable time spent researching options, of all available … Sabbath day observance is key
First Building Block
Cornerstone is Christ
1 Cor 10:4: drink from the spiritual rock = Sacrament meeting
We, as a bishopric, hope you have heard this emphasis:
§ Worked hard to follow counsel of prophets and apostles
§ We will continue to remind for two reasons:
§ We all need reminders to learn
§ We are not all here every week, we miss things
§ Mission critical: proper understanding of doctrine of Sacrament will go a long way to proper observance of Sabbath day
§ It we don't have this as a basis, we are just going through motions
§ If you feel like you are going through motions, let's start today to improve
Learn Doctrine Directly from Apostles
Elder Anderson
Covenants are not stagnant
§ Renewing our baptismal covenants is not used in the scriptures
§ The sacrament is a beautiful time to commit to renew all our covenants
§ Sacrament is partaking of the fruit and renew our souls and our commitment
§ Covenants are not stagnant, they are active and require action
§ Power in covenants
§ When we make and keep covenants, the Lord will be yoked with us
Elder Holland
Personal, repeatable ordinance
§ Remember that this is an ordinance
§ Only ordinance that we repeat for ourselves
Elder Hales
Always remember Him, invitation to parents to prepare
§ Witnessing unto the Father
§ Mothers and fathers prepare the children so that they know
§ Turn toward the Lord and away from the adversary
Elder Oaks
Take upon us the name of Christ -> means to do the work of Christ
§ Seems to mean taking on the work of the Lord
§ Must be built upon the work of the gospel
§ All these things are done in the name of Christ
§ Forgiveness of sins comes through His name, salvation comes …, faith in or believe in in order to be saved, temples are built, proclaim his name
§ I will handle my share of the work of Christ, with that "great share" being what we are called to do
Discussion
How can we help deepen understanding of the significance of the Sacrament?
(The following are some of the answers shared by ward members in response to this question).
- Starts with training at home. We can discuss and practice skills such as sitting quietly, focusing, concentrating on tasks, etc.
- What are we bringing to sacrament meeting for our children to do? Is it different then the regular week day "activities"? Does it reflect where we are and who we should be focusing on?
- We need to prepare as individuals and families to partake in the sacred ordinance of the sacrament. We need to discuss what types of preparations would help us to this.
- Simply reminding our children on our way to church that we are preparing to participate in a sacred ordinance. Asking them to consider what we are doing this for?
Impact on Families and Sisters
What is the impact of this emphasis on Sacrament and Sabbath day observance on sisters and families?
Sister Oscarson video clip:
Special concerns for sisters during sacrament meeting
§ May feel like they are only attending as a form of habit or duty
§ Most come to fed and spiritually nourished
§ Single sisters come to be lifted in spirit
Sister Wixom video clip:
Children at church
§ Counsel together beginning in ward council
· Ask children what they can do
· Start the teaching at home
§ Be thoughtful and tolerant of children and those adults with children
· We need to be creatively persistent in helping children with reverence in church
· We can all be better in assisting those who need help in sacrament meeting
Sabbath Day Observance at Home
Up to this point, we have been focused on Sacrament meeting … what about the rest of Church and the rest of the day at home?
- Activity: Scripture Study
3 Nephi 18:9-12: Fulfilling the commandments of the Sacrament, building upon the rock of Christ
Isaiah 58:13-14: not do thine own ways, not find thine own pleasure, … ride upon high places
Mark 2:27: Sabbath made for man, not man for Sabbath
When considering whether or not an activity might be appropriate for Sunday, stop and ask, "What sign am I giving the Lord in doing this activity on His day?"
What if this is overwhelming to me? Or I feel like a slacker?
Elder Christofferson
We might be tempted to criticize of judge ourselves … this is a NEW DAY
We need to avoid a "Wo is me…" attitude -- it begins with us now, we have the opportunity to change
Questions: Review as couples and/or individuals
Review the following questions, either with your spouse or on your own.
Take notes on your thoughts
What did you learn?
What did you learn that wasn't said?
What have you learned from what others have learned?
What are you [we] going to do moving forward?
Start today to make a plan. Click on the following links for a way to jump start the discussion at home with your family!
A Day To Focus on What Matters Most (a Mormon message and great FHE lesson to share)
Blessings of the Sabbath Day (a beautiful article with thoughts from members all over the world about the blessings they have seen in their lives from keeping this commandment)
The Sabbath Is a Delight (Elder Russell M. Nelson's talk from April 2015 General Conference)
Conclusion from Elder Bednar
Basic principle: make available priesthood ordinances and covenants to husband, wife, children to help them be happy at home
Multi-generational families
Sabbath Day observance at church and home should complement each other
This is the essence of Come Follow Me
Personal invitation to all non-members and less-active members to come and partake of the Sabbath Day
Testimony
§ Importance of multi-generational families
§ Key to sustained growth of the Church
§ Sustained preparation of our children
§ Focus of all we do as parents, grandparents, etc.
§ Importance of grandparents continued involvement
§ These things may seem like Sunday school answers
§ Quote from Dean: “They are not simply Sunday school answers…, they are "the" answers.”
§ They will help, that's why they are "the" answers
§ Elder Wirthlin
§ "The storms of the evil one [refer back to list at beginning] can be stopped at the very entrance of our homes."
§ Extremely powerful promise, that is what we want, isn't it?
§ Sabbath day observance can stop the storms
§ Christ is the key, faith in Him, we must look to the tree of life [Christ] ourselves and point others to Him
§ Ultimately, Sabbath day observance will lead to temple attendance
§ This is where we should be
§ Evaluate our demographics and circumstances
§ It should be our "calling card"
§ It is the key to multi-generational families
Challenge (from President Rich):
What is one thing that we can take from training that we can implement (or improve upon) as part of our responsibilities at home?
