Sabbath Day Observance talk

For my and my family's future reference and for a few of my friends who have asked, here is my talk from today.  I can't claim this to be my own.  I had so much divine help.

I am humbled by this assignment to share the attention in a meeting where the sacred emblems of the sacrament are administered. It is also humbling to seek revelation to know what to say and how to present it in such a setting. While this is a difficult task, having revelatory experiences, especially where the Lord is generous and very specific, is always a blessing. So for that, I am thankful.

I am here not as a role model on Sabbath day observance, but because I've had more time to learn about and digest this renewed focus than most. As was mentioned a few weeks ago, this direction given to us by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve was presented to the Seventy the days before April conference. Elder Terry, our Area Seventy was present and then given the charge to take it to the stakes he oversees. The format for the presentation was the Stake President from each stake and a sister auxiliary leader to come together in a roundtable setting to learn and discuss these principles. Scriptures were assigned to be studied in anticipation for discussion. Two trainings were given by Elder Terry with this format. Because of special and unusual circumstances, I was asked to attend the both trainings with Elder Terry and President Miller. I also attended Stake Council one time when it was presented to stake leaders. (Regrettably I was out of town for the other.) It was a very unique way to learn about the Sabbath Day and the Sacrament with many men and women who are very experienced in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and where we were invited to share in open conversation our thoughts and feelings. It has been life changing for me.

A few months ago, I attended our Stake's first zone conference. Elder Nemrow, who since has been called as an Area Seventy, but then was a counselor in the mission presidency spoke. He said something to this effect: "We spend so much of our time playing defense. We do so many things to try to keep the adversary out of our lives such as Internet filters, time locks on media etc. etc. --and we should. But we should also spend a great deal of time playing offense. And missionary work is playing offense. It naturally wards off the adversary."

I've thought a lot about playing offense versus defense in life. If I only play defense, my best hope is only a draw. If I never get the ball, I never will get a chance to score. If I never act, I can only be acted upon. Elder Holland said speaking of the scriptures in Ephesians about putting on the whole armor of God: “In that description of preparing for spiritual battle, I have been impressed that most of the protection the Lord outlines for us there is somewhat defensive. The revelation speaks of breastplates and shields and helmets, all of which are important and protective but which leave us, in a sense, without an actual weapon yet. Are we only to be on the defensive? Are we simply to ward off blows and see it through and never be able, spiritually speaking, to strike a blow? No. We are supposed to advance in this and win a battle that started in heaven long ago. So we need some kind of even chance on the offense, and we are given it. You are given it. The weapon that is mentioned, the thing that allows us to actually do battle with the “darkness of this world,” to use Paul’s phrase, is “the sword of the Spirit.”

That is what I feel like this call to focus on....to better observe.... give greater attention to Sabbath Day observance is all about. True, it is a way to help members stay strong in the gospel. Yes, it is a plan to help avoid dissension and a way to strengthen our family, but truly, it is a call for each of us to pick up our spiritual swords and LEARN to use them. It is a great opportunity to build up our own spiritual strength so we can be of great use in the kingdom of God. So we can meet daily challenges offensively. This is the way---use the sacrament to build spiritual strength. Use the Sabbath day to build spiritual muscle.

Having the sword of the Spirit brings power. We acquire power in our lives through covenants. Covenants are activated by ordinances. As we use covenants to gain power, we become stronger and more able to meet daily challenges week in and week out. We have an opportunity every 7 days—every 168 hours to receive greater power in our life through the ordinance of the Sacrament. This is most sacred! Covenants are empowering.

Originally, the roll out for this training was to be completed by mid September, but because of a great spiritual urgency the Brethren felt, deadlines for trainings to be completed were moved up. With the nature and format of this training, that was a huge undertaking for the Seventy and Stake Presidents. But as I went through the trainings, I could feel for myself of the great spiritual urgency that it is. Our prophets have sought divine guidance for us—you and me. Elder Terry mentioned a bit of process the Brethren went through to arrive at this great need for our day. I testify of its great spiritual urgency. I know there is great power in applying these principles.

President Russell M. Nelson made a prophetic promise that I think is very powerful. He said that if members of the church focus to observe the Sabbath Day, the faith of the entire world will increase. Think of that promise. One insignificant person such as I with my small every day acts amidst in the scope of world's economic exchanges, Internet interactions, political power struggles, differences and conflicts .. can influence the world's faith for good? I find that empowering!

Something that was talked about in all three training sessions I attended was that the chapel is an ordinance room. A room to activate the Atonement in our lives. A room of cleansing. A room of revelation. A room to receive answers to prayers. A room to feel relief of burdens. A room to repair broken spirits. A room for healing. A room to receive power. A room where the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, visits frequently. This is a sacred, sacred room! All of these things are activated for each of us personally by our partaking of the Sacrament with prepared hearts. To quote Julie B. Beck: “Now that is influence. That is power!”

One thing that I liked from Sister Wixom's presentation during the training was suggesting that children have a say in what they can contribute to the family's Sabbath day worship. I loved that because that brings ownership for them. It also gives parents opportunities to take our children where they are and allow them to start where they are in their understanding and move forward. As families council together over the years, the things children are willing to give as their sign to God will increase and over time bring great power to their lives.

In the past, I've largely neglected the counsel to have Family Councils. I can see now that doing so has deprived my family from blessings that could have been ours had I been more obedient. But I have repented. (That is one of the greatest things about life!!!) One thing I did to start out was labeled a notebook so we could keep record. We've discussed numerous things in our councils, and they have greatly benefited our family. I want to share just a few things that have been suggested that our family can do in regards of Sabbath Day observance.

We had someone say:

*Speak only in whispers when in the chapel

*Listen

*Prepare our minds

*Sing the songs

*Attend all of our meetings

*Read a story from family history at dinner

*Everyone help with dishes

*Evaluate our own choices on the Sabbath—everyone decide our own sign to send to Heavenly Father.

Historically speaking, Sunday dinner has been a big affair for us. Good food is a natural gathering agent and in trying to nurture wonderful feelings on the Sabbath day I've invested much into Sunday meals. But honestly, it has felt like work. After hearing President Nelson's talk on Sabbath day observance in April conference and learning that my behavior was sending a sign to God, I decided that I must rethink my Sunday meal plans. Since then, I've moved my meal prep for that meal to Saturday. It has made my Sabbath feel much more worshipful. That has opened up much more time for me to do family history and that has been a great blessing. We've had many miracles open up in our family history since we have started observing the Sabbath day more carefully.

One thing I've learned, and maybe you have learned this too—families aren't perfect and in our family, the parents especially are not. So I find myself having to recommit and refocus each and every week. Some weeks we do much better than others, but I can testify that even small, consistent effort brings results.

One final tidbit from my notes from the training that repeatedly comes back to me is that the Sabbath is to be a delight— but it is an acquired taste, especially for children. We need to give ourselves and our children time, practice and consistent attempts before it will become truly delight. We can't eat the delightful fruit until we've planted the seed and nourished it a great deal. Tom reminds me often that example is the most powerful teacher so I shouldn't be frustrated if desired results don't occur for many years!

When Nephi went back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates, it wasn't under a let's-see-if-we-can-get-the-plates mentality.He had real intent to obtain them. That meant that he was willing to do hard things and try repeatedly to accomplish the task. As we consider this important, urgent, prophetic directive to improve Sabbath day observance, let us do so with real intent—willing to try repeatedly and willing to do hard things to accomplish the task. This could be something that blesses our lives and our family's life just as much as the brass plates blessed Lehi's family.

Preparing for the Sacrament with heartfelt intent and submissive hearts, we keep ourselves playing offense. Using the ordinance of the Sacrament to free ourselves from bondage is the greatest blessing available to us. Keeping the entire Sabbath day holy gives us a very powerful spiritual sword. I testify of the urgency of this focus and the power it brings us.

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Since I was to be the last speaker, this portion was just in case I had extra time. (I didn't.)

I want to share a few notes I took from the trainings because I think knowledge is power. They have been very thought provoking and formative for me.

lWhat am I doing to make the my covenants and the Sacrament a treasure in my life?

lHow I prepare and sanctify myself for the Sacrament is a sign to the Lord. The sign I send to the the Lord about how I feel about Him and His holy day is the same sign I send to those in my family. Children are very observant.

lEach week I have an opportunity to covenant anew—to make a different covenant than I did the week before because my light and knowledge and experiences have increased so I am covenanting with my newer understandings and life experiences. It is not stagnant so I can grow. (Just yesterday I learned from a friend about the word dwindle. It is used in the Book of Mormon quite a bit and often is used in the context of 'dwindling in unbelief'. The opposite of dwindling is improving. We have to be doing one or the other.)

lThe Sacrament is a celebration. Would the Savior call my behavior on the Sabbath day a celebration of His Atonement?

lI have a personal obligation to have a spiritual experience during the Sacrament.

lThe Sabbath is a symbol of my passover. My sign, showing my desire to be passed over, my sacrifice on the door asking the destroying angel to pass me by.

lThe scriptures day "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy". It doesn't say 'keep the Sabbath Day holy'. It is more than that.  It implies that the Sabbath Day must be remembered more than just on that day in order to keep it holy. In order to keep it holy, planning and preparation need to take place.

lThis is not a one then done. Let discussions, thoughts, actions etc. continue through the day. Let the power follow me through the week. Let discussions continue over the weeks and months and years. Let this directive bring me power.