No Regrets

There are innumerable things in life that we may end up regretting some day. But there are two things you will never regret doing.  They are: receiving formal education and serving a full-time mission.

I have done both. And I'm so happy I did!

There's not much you can take with you when you die except the knowledge you've gained while here in mortality.  Both formal education and missionary service help to increase your knowledge and learning dramatically.  And both are a privilege that not everybody gets.

The opportunity to receive a formal education used to be a prized treasure that many people would go to great lengths to be able to obtain and those who were lucky enough to have the opportunity recognized it as a great privilege.

Nowadays, especially in this country, it seems as though many people take for granted the opportunity for formal education and don't recognize its value.

For instance, many athletes are given full ride scholarships yet squander the privileged opportunity to obtain education because all they care about is playing ball.

And then others choose to forego college not because they don't have the opportunity but because they choose not to take it for whatever reason.

I have never heard anyone say that they wish they would have skipped college to start working, get married, start a family, etc. but I have heard a lot of people say they wish they would have gotten their education before or while doing those other things.

Even if you never use your degree to earn a living, it is still knowledge that you will always have and carry with you through the eternities.  Education is never a waste.  Higher education is a privilege that few people in the world have the opportunity to obtain.

Anyone with the opportunity would be wise to obtain a higher education.  And it is something you will never regret!

An even rarer privilege that even fewer people qualify for is that of serving a full-time mission.

Just for fun I did a few calculations.  Back in 1992 when I was a full-time missionary, there were only 46,025 full-time missionaries.  The world population in 1992 was 5.448 billion.  That computes to one missionary for every 118,370 people on earth. Or  236,740 people per companionship.  That's a lot of people to try and teach.

Using today's numbers--  Currently there are 7.321 billion people on earth and 85,187 full-time missionaries.  Even with the recent missionary surge that is still 85,940 people per missionary or 171, 880 people per companionship.  Obviously there is still a lot of work to do.  The Lord needs our help in hastening His work.

Even though serving a full-time mission is a commandment for every worthy young man, every worthy young woman is also granted the opportunity/privilege should they so choose.

I fully believe that those who serve missions gain much more than they could ever get back.  Serving a full-time mission is an education you cannot receive anywhere else.  It truly is a privilege that not many people qualify for and those who do qualify would be foolish not to jump at the chance to serve a mission for the Lord. Indeed it is a privileged honor.

Just yesterday I read about one young man who recognized what a rare, precious opportunity it is, and he went to great lengths to qualify to serve a mission.  I will paraphrase his story.

A young man from New Zealand who is a convert to the church decided he wanted to serve a mission as he was approaching his mid-20s.  His mission application was rejected because of a visible tattoo on his neck. This young man was heartbroken yet still determined to serve a mission. He was willing to do whatever it took to qualify to serve a full-time mission for the Lord.

He tried laser tattoo removal several times which didn't work and was extremely painful.  He was nearing the cutoff age of being able to serve and was getting discouraged. But he persevered and prayed for the Lord's help and continued going to Mission prep classes.

His Mission prep teacher ended up being his answer to prayer.  He helped him by connecting him with a dermatologist who could cut the tattoo out of his neck.  And he also was kind enough to fund the surgery for him. The surgery was a success. The young man said that it was a miracle that he had absolutely no pain during the recovery process. He now qualified to serve a mission.

His mother was so inspired by her son's dramatic change and determination that she was baptized shortly before he left on his mission. He served honorably in the Dallas-Fort Worth Mission.

That young man truly recognized the tremendous value and privilege of serving a full-time mission.  And went to great lengths to qualify to do so.

Yes, serving a mission is a rare opportunity granted to those who qualify.  It is also a great responsibility and commandment given to every worthy young man.  But as always, those who choose to accept that privileged opportunity are blessed beyond measure as are their families and those they serve.

The knowledge and experience gained in those few short 18 or 24 months provide a solid base you will use throughout your life.  And you will draw on those experiences to guide you and help you throughout your life.  It is an education you cannot get anywhere else. Based upon my own experience I can easily say that my mission was a much better education than was my college education.  But I treasure both.

 Serving a full-time mission for the Lord is something you will never regret.

Anyone with the opportunity to serve a mission and receive higher education would be wise to do so.

Life is too short to be stupid.

"O be wise; what can I say more?" -- Jacob 6:12

That's my two cents.

Mercedes' Graduation

Today my niece is graduating from high school.

Where did the time go?  I remember well the day my sister called to tell me she was born.  I had just started my first year of medical school.

Mercedes will also be getting an associate's degree from Pierce College as she participated in the running start program during high school.

Sunday she graduated from seminary which is quite an accomplishment that requires dedication to get up early every morning to attend seminary class.

I designed her graduation announcement -- with a little help from Lisa in changing the fonts.  :-)

Real proud!

Congratulations Mercedes!  I'm so happy you'll be pursuing your education by attending BYU Idaho!

Elder Perry's Last Dying Wishes and Advice

I just read an article in LDS living which states Elder L. Tom Perry's last dying wishes and advice for church members.  I always say mortality is a mess -- I guess I'm in good company.  :-)

This is wonderful advice and counsel from a beloved apostle of the Lord.  We would all be wise to heed Elder Perry's sage counsel.

Elder Perry's Last Advice to Church Members, Jake Healey, LDS Living Magazine, June 6, 2015

At Elder L. Tom Perry’s funeral in the Tabernacle today, Elders Dallin H. Oaks and M. Russell Ballard both delivered heartfelt tributes to their colleague and friend. During his address, Elder Ballard related the following:

“Three days prior to his passing, Elder . . . Oaks and I called on Elder and Sister Perry. We had a tender visit, and as always, Elder Perry spoke of his love of the members of the Church, and his great anxiety and concern for their spiritual well-being.” 

Elder Oaks remembered Elder Perry saying, “I just worry about what is going on in the world! How did we get mixed up in this mess?” Elder Perry continued, “Worldwide morals are declining. At the same time, we have populations all over the world that are suffering. We have lost our good, strong Christian beliefs—it is just a tough time.” 

Then Elder Oaks said, “As was typical of Elder Perry, he did not linger on the negative.” He smiled as he recalled these words from a dying apostle: “We have a lot of great talented help in the Church! These young kids who come along—I just love them. They’re strong!” 

Elder Ballard recounted the advice that Elder Perry wanted the people of the Church to hear. “[I wish I] could get every member of the Church to go and partake of the sacrament, and when they took the bread, they’d ask themselves, ‘Who am I? What am I doing? How am I living? Where am I going? What should I be accomplishing?’ as they renew their covenants with the Lord.” He finished, “The minute they’d pick up the bread, something [would] happen.” 

In those final quiet days, Elder Perry delivered this testimony to his brethren in the apostleship. “Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. Everything depends on Him. We’d better find a way to stay close to him, and if [we] can’t, there’s not much hope. [He] is what we need.”

Teachers Are Crybabies

This probably won't be one of my more popular opinions -- everybody seems to love teachers and are always on their side. Do you think I give a hang?  I'm going to state my opinion regardless.  :-)

Good thunder, things are getting out of hand.  Juliet informed me this morning that Kingston has to go one extra day of school now because the teachers are walking out on Wednesday to bawl their necks off about smaller classrooms.

It seems like they are always crying about something.  More money, smaller classrooms, more paid time off, more paid time for lesson preparation, etc. I know of no other profession that whines so much and is constantly demanding.  It's absolutely ridiculous.  Like the Rattlesnake said to the man after he bit him, "you knew what I was when you picked me up".  Teachers knew what they were getting into when they chose that field. Why are they constantly walking out and whining like little brats? I mean really, they act like three-year-olds pulling tantrums.

Teachers nowadays have it so much easier than when I was in school or when my mom was teaching.  Back then teachers actually had to plan their lessons on their own time and we actually went to school every day all day. And parent teacher conferences were afterschool.  So why are they constantly complaining about how bad they have it now?

Every year that I have lived here in Washington, without fail, the news will announce in the fall which school districts are not starting school on time because of teacher tantrums.

Kids are constantly having early days or late starts or days off so that teachers can trim their fingernails or whatever excuse they happen to give.

The kids are receiving less and less education and the teachers are receiving more and more money and time off.  Okay maybe teaching isn't the easiest job in the world and doesn't pay as much as some other professions but that is what they chose.  So deal with it. Quit being bawl baby chicken guts and just do your job.

That's my two cents.

RIP Elder L. Tom Perry

I love all of the apostles but Elder Perry, in particular, always seemed so happy and friendly with his permanent smile.  Which made him even more lovable. Yet he never wavered in his diligence and willingness as the Lord's mouthpiece. He had a very distinctive, booming yet comforting voice.

It was only 40 days ago that Elder Perry was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After 40+ years of service as a member of the quorum of the 12 apostles, Elder Perry graduated mortality yesterday.

I was joking around with mom this morning about Elder Perry and Aunt Evelyn being among the newbies in the spirit world.  I guess you could say they are in the same graduating class.  :-)

Anyway, in light of Elder Perry's passing here are a few of his quotes I obtained from the Deseret News.  RIP Elder Perry!

Elder L. Tom Perry:

"We can't predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond a shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."

"A good character is something you must make for yourself. It is the reward that comes from living good principles and manifesting a virtuous and honorable life."

"Today's complexities demand greater simplicity."

"Obedience to law is liberty."

"Go forward with new zeal and determination, and through your example shine the light of the gospel in this troubled world."

"We must never let the noise of the world overpower and overwhelm that still, small voice."

"Each of us is a son or daughter of God, and we have a unique premortal and mortal story. There are very few one-size-fits-all solutions. And so I fully recognize the trial-and-error nature of life and, most importantly, the constant need of the second principle of the gospel, even repentance."

"The greatest teaching of all must be done by righteous example."

"May we ever be a light on the hill, an example in keeping the commandments, which have never changed and will never change."

"Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God's unlimited wisdom and omnipotence."

"The most powerful teaching a child will ever receive will come from concerned and righteous fathers and mothers."

"The only way to find lasting peace is to look to Him."

"Our journey through life has periods of both good times and bad. Each presents different challenges. How we learn to adjust to the changes which come along depends on the foundation on which we build."

"Enduring to the end is definitely not a do-it-yourself project."

"One of the greatest weaknesses in most of us is our lack of faith in ourselves. One of our common failings is to depreciate our tremendous worth."

"Prayer is a divine fellowship with God. Such spiritual companionship brings a matchless blessing."

"If you don't raise the bar, how will you ever know your potential?"

"Let me close by bearing witness (and my nine decades on this earth fully qualify me to say this) that the older I get, the more I realize that family is the center of life and is the key to eternal happiness."

All above quotes attributed to Elder L. Tom Perry, 1922-2015.  RIP Elder Perry.

"Stay by the Tree"

One of the talks from General Conference that stood out to me last week as I re-watched it was "Stay by the Tree" By Elder Kevin W. Pearson Of the Seventy.

So I want to post a few quotes from that talk that I really like.

"Shortly before President Heber J. Grant passed away, one of the Brethren visited his home. Before he left, President Grant prayed, “O God, bless me that I shall not lose my testimony and keep faithful to the end!”  After nearly 27 years as President of the Church, this was his fervent prayer. His example is a striking reminder that no one, at any age, is immune from Satan’s influence. Two of Satan’s most powerful tools are distraction and deception.

"Enduring to the end is a hallmark of true discipleship and is essential to eternal life. But when trials and challenges come our way, we are often told to simply “hang in there.” Let me be clear: to “hang in there” is not a principle of the gospel. Enduring to the end means constantly coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him.

"If enduring to the end is essential to eternal life, why do we struggle to be faithful? We struggle when we are caught between competing priorities. Casual obedience and lukewarm commitment weaken faith. Enduring to the end requires total commitment to the Savior and to our covenants."

Elder Pearson gives six ways to help us endure to the end.  They are:

1. Don’t Forget to Pray

"Each of us experiences periods of darkness and loneliness. “When life gets dark and dreary, don’t forget to pray.”…Pray for strength to endure to the end." 

2. Come unto Christ and Be Perfected in Him

"Eternal life with our loved ones is sweeter and more desirable than any other thing. To realize this gift, we must “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.”…We can fill our lives with accomplishment and well-doing, but in the end, if we do not enter into sacred covenants to follow Christ and faithfully keep them, we will have utterly and completely missed the mark."

3. Press Forward with Faith

"There is a path that leads to the tree of life, to Christ. It is strait and narrow, strict and exact. God’s commandments are strict but not restrictive. They protect us from spiritual and physical danger and prevent us from getting lost.

"Obedience builds faith in Christ. Faith is a principle of action and power. Consistently following the Savior’s example produces spiritual power and capacity. Without the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement, it’s impossible to stay on the path and endure."

4. The Book of Mormon Is Key to Spiritual Survival

"Life’s journey is challenging. It’s easy to be distracted, wander off the path, and get lost. Tribulation is an inevitable and indispensable part of our eternal progression. When adversity comes, don’t let something you don’t fully understand unravel everything you do know. Be patient, cling to truth; understanding will come. Trials are like great mists of darkness that can blind our eyes and harden our hearts. Unless we are “continually holding fast” to the word of God and living it, we will become spiritually blinded rather than spiritually minded. Search the Book of Mormon and the words of the living prophets every day, every day, every day! It’s the key to spiritual survival and avoiding deception. Without it, we are spiritually lost."

5. Don’t Be Distracted and Deceived

"To heed is to give careful attention. Heeding those who do not believe in Christ will not help you find Him. Searching #spaciousbuilding for knowledge will not lead you to truth. …Only the Savior has “the words of eternal life.”…The large and spacious building symbolizes the “vain imaginations and the pride” of the world—in other words, distraction and deception. It’s filled with well-dressed people who seem to have everything. But they mock the Savior and those who follow Him. They are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” They may be politically correct, but they are spiritually lost."

6. Stay by the Tree

"We stay because we are converted unto the Lord. …As we yield our hearts to God, the Holy Ghost changes our very natures, we become deeply converted unto the Lord, and we no longer seek the spacious building. If we stop doing those things that bring about deepening conversion, we regress spiritually. Apostasy is the reverse of conversion.

"To all missionaries past and present: Elders and sisters, you simply cannot return from your mission, do a swan dive back into Babylon,…without falling into a deep spiritual sleep. Nor can you …ignore virtue and chastity without dire spiritual consequences. If you lose the Spirit, you are lost. Don’t be distracted and deceived."

"True disciples continue to awaken unto God each day in meaningful personal prayer, earnest scripture study, personal obedience, and selfless service. Stay by the tree and stay awake."

"Once we enter into covenants with God, there is no going back. Giving in, giving up, and giving out are not options. In the kingdom of God, there is a standard of excellence for exaltation. It requires valiant discipleship! There is no room for average or complacent disciples. Average is the enemy of excellence, and average commitment will prevent you from enduring to the end."

"If you are struggling, confused, or spiritually lost, I urge you to do the one thing I know will get you back on track. Begin again to prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its teachings every day, every day, every day! I testify of the profound power in the Book of Mormon that will change your life and strengthen your resolve to follow Christ. The Holy Ghost will change your heart and help you see “things as they really are.”  He will show you what you need to do next."  -- Stay by the Tree, Elder Kevin W. Pearson, April 2015 General Conference

This ended up being longer than I anticipated but there were so many great quotes that I didn't want to leave out.  :-) Again, two of the main emphases I noticed were to pray and read the Book of Mormon everyday. I know I sound like a broken record but that really is the key to staying spiritually strong and enduring to the end. So simple yet seemingly so hard for so many people.

I would encourage everyone to click on the link and read or watch Elder Pearson's conference talk.  It's a great reminder to help us "stay by the tree" and to endure to the end.

That's my two cents.

Six Months

On November 22, 2014, I broke my femur.  I have been living with a severed femur (spiral fracture) now for six months.

Two weeks ago today I met with the orthopedic surgeon who recommended surgical repair.  Since there has been no sign of healing at all on x-ray over the past six months.  :-( It's what we in the industry call a nonunion.  :-)

He told me he was going to do some research and call me to schedule the preop and surgery.  Still no word.  I'm not all that eager to have my leg filleted open and have my bone put back together with a plate and a bunch of screws and spend a night or two in the hospital. So I haven't followed up yet.

Anyway, six months later I'm still in the same predicament with a floppy, swollen, unstable leg --which Lisa likes to refer to as nuts and bolts when it moves -- and the resulting consequences. :-(

December 9, 2014  

May 8, 2015

Eternal Perspective

I watched a couple of sessions of General conference yesterday.  One of the talks had a quote that stood out to me so I thought I would post it.  The talk was entitled "The Eternal Perspective of the Gospel" By Elder Rafael E. Piño of the 70.  It was a wonderful talk and I would encourage you to read the entire thing by clicking on the link.

Here is the quote I really liked by President Spencer W. Kimball.

"If we looked at mortality as the whole of existence, then pain, sorrow, failure, and short life would be calamity. But if we look upon life as an eternal thing stretching far into the premortal past and on into the eternal post-death future, then all happenings may be put in proper perspective.” 

Having an eternal perspective makes life much more tolerable and joyful.  Mortality really is a drop in the bucket.  This is why it's so important to endure to the end!

That's my two cents.

Keep On Trying

"A saint is a sinner who keeps on trying" -- Nelson Mandela also attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson

“Our greatest glory lies not in never falling but in getting up every time we fall.”-- Confucius

One of the talks given at general conference this past April that really stuck out to me was "Latter-Day Saints Keep on Trying" by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Seventy.

That is where I got the above quotes which I really like. One quote from Elder Renlund that stood out to me was this:

"God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying."

My interpretation of that is that we can't change the past whatever it may be -- good or bad -- but we do have control over the present and future and that's what we should focus on. Endure to the end. Always keep trying to do better in our mortal journey.  And when we fall off the horse, to get back up and keep riding! But we should also remember that the consequences affecting past mistakes or bad choices remain unchanged.

A lot of people beat themselves up over past mistakes. And of course Satan uses that against us to make us feel like we are a lost cause and there is no hope. Obviously he wants us to give up. There is always hope!  Regardless of the severity or longevity of our bad choices, there is always hope.  The atonement is always available, but we must reach for it.  Here's another great quote from Elder Renlund's talk:

"President Thomas S. Monson has taught, “One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final.” Even if we've been a conscious, deliberate sinner or have repeatedly faced failure and disappointment, the moment we decide to try again, the Atonement of Christ can help us. And we need to remember that it is not the Holy Ghost that tells us we’re so far gone that we might as well give up."

"God’s desire that Latter-day Saints keep on trying also extends beyond overcoming sin. Whether we suffer because of troubled relationships, economic challenges, or illnesses or as a consequence of someone else’s sins, the Savior’s infinite Atonement can heal even—and perhaps especially—those who have innocently suffered. He understands perfectly what it is like to suffer innocently as a consequence of another’s transgression. As prophesied, the Savior will “bind up the brokenhearted, … give … beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, [and] the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” No matter what, with His help, God expects Latter-day Saints to keep on trying."

Elder Renlund tells the story of a mother and daughter who were treated not so kindly by church members at church. As the daughter was complaining to her mother, her mother gave this wise counsel to her daughter, “Oh, Thoba, the Church is like a big hospital, and we are all sick in our own way. We come to church to be helped.”

Not only do we need to keep trying ourselves but we also need to be patient as we allow others to keep trying. Elder Renlund said it succinctly, "If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters; and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites. As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change, we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were." 

Reminds me of a story from my mission.  My companion and I were door finding in a typical Florida retirement community and tracted into a woman who invited us in.  As we talked she explained that she and her husband were members of the church who had served diligently in many callings throughout their lives and had recently retired and moved to Florida.  I found it odd that I didn't know anything about her or her husband as they were in the ward boundaries of the ward I was serving in.  She went on to explain that when they retired from work, they also retired from the church.

Let us not be latter-day quitters like the couple I just mentioned.  To be a true latter-day Saint we must keep trying.  Remember it's never too late to do what's right.  As President Monson taught, "no failure ever need be final".

That's my two cents.

Source:  Latter-Day Saints Keep on Trying, Elder Dale G. Renlund, April 2015 General Conference

Elder Ballard Quote

“Today, we live in a world in which people don’t ask of God—they seem to want to ask of Google. Even when it comes to questions of faith, there are many who trust the Internet to provide accurate, fair, and balanced answers to their questions more than they trust the ultimate source of truth, our Heavenly Father.”

"Today, the Internet is full of those lying in wait to deceive... In our search for gospel truth, we not only need to find reliable sources but we also need to give the Lord equal time in our daily pursuits to study the scriptures and the words of the Lord’s servants.”

  -- Elder M. Russell Ballard, May 1, 2015

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

2006

1971

Happy Mother's Day Mom!  I love you!

Bad News, Bad News!

Today I was hopeful yet skeptical that my leg would be healing.  No such luck.  :-(

It's been almost 6 months.  Next step -- surgery.  :-( No details yet.

May 8, 2015 AP view :-(

May 8

Today is May 8 which happens to be the day that both of my maternal great-grandmother's died.  Years apart of course.

My maternal grandfather's mother -- Lillie Devena Christensen Died May 8, 1978

Great grandma Lillie on left with her sisters

Grandma Lillie on her wedding day.

The way I remember my great grandparents Henry Elmer and Lillie :-)

my maternal grandmother's mother Delpha Piepgrass Wall died May 8, 2002.

Delpha Piepgrass Wall

 Grandma Wall bottom left 4 generation picture

A couple of Grandma Wall's famous quotes :-)

 RIP maternal great-grandmothers!  Today also happens to be Aunt Evelyn's birthday -- RIP as well.

Blind Sheep

Just a quick observation.  Our society is nothing but a bunch of blind sheep.  Take for instance this big hyped up fight recently.  How many of those people who watched it even knew who the boxers were a few months ago? Or cared.  And why would anybody in their right mind pay $100 to watch a fight on television?

I have to admit I don't know much about it because I don't waste my time on such things but I do know that the boxers were paid upwards of $100 million each and maybe even $200 million.

My purpose is not to knock the sport of boxing but I do think it is a ridiculous sport.  And for anybody to get that kind of exorbitant amount of money for few minutes in a ring is absolutely ridiculous.

My point is people are so easily manipulated by the media it would be laughable if it wasn't so sad.  This is exactly how our current president -- if you can call him that -- got elected.  Because of people like Oprah Winfrey and the news media who manipulated people into voting for him.

Obviously the same thing happened with this boxing match.  The media starts hyping it up as must-see and people are stupid enough to fork over their hard-earned money -- or I should say someone else's hard-earned money that the government took from someone who was hard-working and gave to them.  But that's another story.

All because people want to fit in and feel like they are in the know, I guess. I personally don't care one iota about two people trying to punch each other's lights out.  And I certainly wouldn't pay money to watch it.  In fact, you would probably have to pay me $100 to watch it.

It reminds me of the psychology experiment where people are shown a blue circle for instance.  They watch as other volunteers repeatedly tell the examiner that it is a red square for example, knowing full well that it is a blue circle.  So what does the person do when it's their turn to tell the examiner what they see?  They follow the crowd and tell the examiner that it is a red square because that is what everybody else is doing.

Unfathomable but true.  Sadly, most people are just a bunch of blind sheep trying to fit into a society that is being manipulated by the liberal media.

That's my two cents.

FHE Lesson --The Sabbath Is a Delight

The Sabbath Is a Delight

 Elder Russell M. Nelson

Of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles

April 2015 General Conference

I am intrigued by the words of Isaiah, who called the Sabbath “a delight.” Yet I wonder, is the Sabbath really a delight for you and for me?

What did the Savior mean when He said that “the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath”?  I believe 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.

The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath.  It is His day! Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep the Sabbath or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do so.

How do we hallow the Sabbath day? In my much younger years, I studied the work of others who had compiled lists of things to do and things not to do on the Sabbath. 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 to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.

Though the doctrine pertaining to the Sabbath day is of ancient origin, it has been renewed in these latter days as part of a new covenant with a promise. Listen to the power of this divine decree:

“That thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;

“For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High. …

“And on this day … let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, … that thy joy may be full. …

“And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, … the fulness of the earth is yours.”

Imagine the scope of that statement! The fulness of the earth is promised to those who keep the Sabbath day holy.  No wonder Isaiah called the Sabbath “a delight.”

How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing? In addition to your going to church, partaking of the sacrament, and being diligent in your specific call to serve, what other activities would help to make the Sabbath a delight for you? What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him?

1 --The Sabbath provides a wonderful opportunity to strengthen family ties.

We make the Sabbath a delight when we teach the gospel to our children. Our responsibility as parents is abundantly clear. The Lord said, “Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion … that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents.”

Years ago the First Presidency stressed the importance of quality family time. They wrote:

“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 carrying forward this God-given responsibility.

“We counsel parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.”

No other work transcends that of righteous, intentional parenting!

2-- You can experience true delight on the Sabbath from family history work.

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.

You too need not travel to other countries or even to a family history center. At home, with the aid of a computer or mobile device, you can identify souls who are yearning for their ordinances. Make the Sabbath a delight by finding your ancestors and liberating them from spirit prison!

3--Make the Sabbath a delight by rendering service to others.

Especially those who are not feeling well or those who are lonely or in need.  Lifting their spirits will lift yours as well.

“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.”

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.

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.

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The following are quotes from Earl C. Tingey, Keeping theSabbath Day Holy, February 1999 Liahona

“Several years ago I accompanied President Gordon B. Hinckley to a regional conference in which he expressed to the priesthood brethren some of his concerns about members of the Church. One of his concerns was “our tendency to take on the ways of the world.” He then said: “We don’t adopt them immediately, but we slowly take them on, unfortunately. I wish I had the power to convert this whole Church to the observance of the Sabbath. I know our people would be more richly blessed of the Lord if they would walk in faithfulness in the observance of the Sabbath” (Heber City/Springville, Utah, regional conference, priesthood leadership meeting, 13 May 1995).”

I personally believe that some of the destruction and suffering we see in the world today is the result of a people who mock God and who do not keep His basic commandments, such as properly observing the Sabbath day. One of the key messages of the Book of Mormon is how people suffer when they do not keep God’s commandments. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Ezra Taft Benson quoted President George Albert Smith as saying that “much of the sorrow and distress that is afflicting and will continue to afflict mankind is traceable to the fact that they have ignored his [God’s] admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1935, 120; quoted in “Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy,” Ensign,May 1971, 7).

 I like the statement of Elder Mark E. Petersen (1900–84) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“We can readily see that observance of the Sabbath is an indication of the depth of our conversion.

“Our observance or nonobservance of the Sabbath is an unerring measure of our attitude toward the Lord personally and toward his suffering in Gethsemane, his death on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead. It is a sign of whether we are Christians in very deed, or whether our conversion is so shallow that commemoration of his atoning sacrifice means little or nothing to us” (“The Sabbath Day,” Ensign, May 1975, 49). – Elder Mark E. Petersen (1900–84) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: