Dear Sisters,

I would like to share with you an experience I had this week while attending my religion class as part of my Pathway program. Earlier in the semester we were asked to look within ourselves and identify a Christlike attribute that we would like to develop. Throughout the semester we have been doing projects and activities to assist our growth toward that attribute. Each week a new study skill is taught so that we are able to more fully understand and recognize the teachings of the scriptures, and utilize them in our lives along with our desired attribute.

This week however a study skill of Visualization was presented in our class to help us in our scripture study. We were asked to not only “visualize” while studying the scriptures this week, but also to recognize the influence of our selected attribute in the reading. From there we were asked to “visualize” ourselves within the scriptures, demonstrating our attribute, and visualize experiences we might have and our projected actions.

Next, we were asked to create a story board using pictures and scriptures that identify our attribute and our individual growth and feelings as we have seen ourselves act, and react, with our acquired attribute.

This process has been such a spiritual experience for me, and one that I will continue to use as I study the scriptures and try to grow and become a better Disciple of Christ.

I hope that you can find this helpful as they try to incorporate the scriptures into their lives, and teach their families of the Savior and his divine attributes.

The post Visualizing Christlike Attributes appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

I’m sitting here after watching “Meet the Mormons” for the second time (was able to see a preview screening and then went with two of my children tonight — the show came out a day early where I live). I’ve got many thoughts swirling around in my head. What can I share about the experience I’ve had with this film?

Because, you know, I’m Mormon (a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). So what else would I say on a Mormon website except that I liked the film?

Let me say this. Honestly, I went in a little skeptical, maybe even nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect. A movie about Mormons on the big screen? Would I like it? What if I didn’t? (That’d be awkward, being a Mormon blogger and all.)

I loved it. (And I loved it even more the second time around.)

I am a fan of documentaries, so that may have something to do with it. The cinematography is breathtaking, especially in the scenes of Costa Rica and Nepal. The stories are real and diverse. They capture the fact that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an international faith.

As I’ve read reviews, I have seen people echo what I have felt — that “I think the [stories and the] challenges were diverse enough that somebody could identify with just about any one of them.” (There are some other gems from that article from “famous Mormons” that resonated with me as well.)

But the main reason I loved the film is because of how it made me feel. My son said something similar: “Mom, I didn’t have any major spiritual experiences with the movie, but I just felt good through the whole thing. That was evidence enough to me that truth was being shared.”

What kind of truth? Even if you take out the “Mormon” element (which is more understated than I expected it to be), the film explores the importance of family and the joy in and need for service to others. It encourages not giving up in hard times, and living life wholeheartedly. For Mormons, these principles connect to our faith in Jesus Christ, but these are true principles that can inspire regardless of religious belief, or even if you don’t identify yourself as a person of faith. They connect to so much of what it means to be human.

I left this film the way I feel when I engage with inspiring narratives. I left wanting to be a better person. I left wanting to face my own challenges with more hope. I left wanting to hear more stories!

And yes, I left feeling more surely the reality that God knows and loves all of His children. Tonight, as I watched the film, I felt that in a personal way — that He knows me. I was reminded, again, that He really is intimately involved in our lives — even when we don’t know it, see it, or even believe it. The last story about Dawn, in particular, really hit that truth home to me.

There is a very real message that we all matter to God, and that we each have something to offer this world. The song at the end of the documentary (“Glorious,” sung by David Archuleta) also reiterates this reality. The song in context of the film was one of the things my daughter loved most. She’s usually one who shares a lot with me, but Mary-like, both times we watched the film, I could see that she just wanted to ponder what was left in her heart after experiencing it all. (In fact, the first time she asked me kindly but directly to stop asking her what she thought!)

I hope you will take the opportunity to experience the film if it is in an area near you. (If it isn’t, you can request it here.) In my opinion, the film is not pushy or preachy. It’s informative without being impersonal. I do think that most people will find something that resonates, in the stories and/or in the simple yet powerful principles that are reflected in the narratives.

Note: All proceeds of the film will be donated to the Red Cross.

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1. Power comes from our faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

The first thing I want her to know is that there is great power in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is not just to believe in Jesus Christ, it is also showing that we believe Him by obeying His commandments. The Savior taught that if we have faith as a mustard seed, we could move mountains (Matthew 17:20). More importantly, if we have faith in Jesus Christ it can change our lives—and our hearts. Faith is a defining character of Disciples of Christ. From ancient times, women of faith have seen and experienced miracles. The widow of Zarephath is an example of a faithful follower of Christ. There is a famine in the land, and the people are starving. The Lord commands Elijah the prophet to go to Zarephath, saying, “There I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee” (1 Kings 17:9). Elijah arrives at the city and finds the widow woman, asking her to bring him some water and a morsel of bread. The woman replies that she has only a handful of meal and a little oil, and she is on her way to make a final meal for herself and her son before they perish (1 Kings 17:10-12). Elijah tells her,

Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth (1 Kings 17:13-14). 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (with the First Presidency, the governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ), said:

Then this understated expression of faith—as great, under these circumstances, as any I know in the scriptures. The record says simply, “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah.” Perhaps uncertain what the cost of her faith would be not only to herself but to her son as well, she first took her small loaf to Elijah, obviously trusting that if there were not enough bread left over, at least she and her son would have died in an act of pure charity. The story goes on, of course, to a very happy ending for her and for her son.

This woman is like another widow whom Christ admired so much—she who cast her farthing, her two mites, into the synagogue treasury and thereby gave more, Jesus said, than all others who had given that day.

Unfortunately, the names of these two women are not recorded in the scriptures, but if I am ever so privileged in the eternities to meet them, I would like to fall at their feet and say “Thank you.” Thank you for the beauty of your lives, for the wonder of your example, for the godly spirit within you prompting such “charity out of a pure heart.” [1]

These women are not known for the letters behind their names, but for the strength of faith that they showed when times got tough. It is this power that can get us through anything—because it is power beyond our own. Faith helps us access the help of the heavens in our times of need. It is the power to move the spiritual mountains in our lives. Or, rather, it is the power to climb the spiritual mountains in our lives and reach the other side.

2. Your contribution to the Church and the world are based on who you are—not whether you hold the priesthood.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkUwh1YUMtE

I think there comes a time in the life of almost every woman who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ when she wonders if her role is really that important because she will not be ordained to the priesthood (which is the power that God gives to man to act in all things for the salvation of His children). I wondered that when I was younger, so it wasn’t really surprising that my daughter does now. But I love what Elder Neil L. Andersen, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, said:

We sometimes overly associate the power of the priesthood with men in the Church. The priesthood is the power and authority of God given for the salvation and blessing of all—men, women, and children.

A man may open the drapes so the warm sunlight comes into the room, but the man does not own the sun or the light or the warmth it brings. The blessings of the priesthood are infinitely greater than the one who is asked to administer the gift. [2] 

And all those who keep the commandments of God are entitled to the blessings of the priesthood. Elder Andersen continued:

To receive the blessings, power, and promises of the priesthood in this life and the next is one of the great opportunities and responsibilities of mortality. As we are worthy, the ordinances of the priesthood enrich our lives on earth and prepare us for the magnificent promises of the world ahead. The Lord said, “In the ordinances … the power of godliness is manifest.”

There are special blessings from God for every worthy person who is baptized, receives the Holy Ghost, and regularly partakes of the sacrament. The temple brings added light and strength, along with the promise of eternal life.

All of the ordinances invite us to increase our faith in Jesus Christ and to make and keep covenants with God. As we keep these sacred covenants, we receive priesthood power and blessings. [2] 

Women are not ordained to the priesthood, but they have as much access to the blessings of the priesthood as the men. Women are not less because they are not ordained to the priesthood. This is one important concept that I want my daughter to understand. Elder Quentin L. Cook, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, said:

God placed within women divine qualities of strength, virtue, love, and the willingness to sacrifice to raise future generations of His spirit children.

A recent United States study asserts that women of all faiths “believe more fervently in God” and attend more religious services than men do. “By virtually every measure they are more religious.”

I was not surprised by this result, particularly as I reflected on the preeminent role of families and women in our faith. Our doctrine is clear: Women are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves them. Wives are equal to their husbands. Marriage requires a full partnership where wives and husbands work side by side to meet the needs of the family. …

Much of what we accomplish in the Church is due to the selfless service of women. Whether in the Church or in the home, it is a beautiful thing to see the priesthood and the Relief Society work in perfect harmony. Such a relationship is like a well-tuned orchestra, and the resulting symphony inspires all of us. [3] 

Our contribution to the work of the gospel of Jesus Christ is based on who we are. And who we are is based on all of our life experiences, as well as our choices and our education. When we work together—as men and women, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters—we can accomplish much good in our home, in The Church of Jesus Christ and in the world.

3. Women have complementary roles. 

Women are given the gift of bearing children. And make no mistake, this is truly a divine gift. Women enter into a partnership with God as they carry and bear children. My husband is the father of our children, but he did not have the opportunity to carry a new life for nine months— feeling the child move for the first time, having a little companion with you and knowing that this child is fully dependent on you for life. It is an amazing experience, and one that my husband only shared—he didn’t get to experience it on his own. That doesn’t diminish his contribution; his contribution was just different. In a tribute to mothers, Elder Holland said:

Mothers, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are, better than you are, and better than you have ever been. … Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you. [4] 

Mothers matter to their children. I took my mother for granted…until she went back to work outside the home when I was 13. It was just for a short time, but I remember coming home from school to an empty house—empty because my mom wasn’t there. I cried the first time she wasn’t there. I was so glad when my parents decided that my mom needed to come back home. My mom went back to work last year, and even as an adult a little part of me was mad because I knew that my access to her would be more limited. She lives thousands of miles away, but I still need her to be there for me. I know my siblings feel the same way. That is the power that mothers hold for their children.

4. Sacrifice is its own reward.

The power of sacrifice in our lives cannot be understated. A line in one of my favorite hymns states: “Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven” (Hymns #27, “Praise to the Man”). This is another principle I want my daughter to understand. We don’t give things up just for fun—we give things up because it’s right. And when we do so without complaint, we are blessed. I quit working outside the home after I had kids. It was important to me and to my husband that we be the ones raising our children. I didn’t want my kids being raised by a daycare or a nanny. That was a choice I made—and one that I have never regretted. The law of sacrifice is a divine law. Sometimes the sacrifice is easy, sometimes it’s not. But it is always worth it. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, said:

Many Christians have voluntarily given sacrifices motivated by faith in Christ and the desire to serve Him. Some have chosen to devote their entire adult lives to the service of the Master. This noble group includes those in the religious orders of the Catholic Church and those who have given lifelong service as Christian missionaries in various Protestant faiths. Their examples are challenging and inspiring, but most believers in Christ are neither expected nor able to devote their entire lives to religious service.

For most followers of Christ, our sacrifices involve what we can do on a day-to-day basis in our ordinary personal lives. … Today the most visible strength of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the unselfish service and sacrifice of its members. Prior to the rededication of one of our temples, a Christian minister asked [the late] President Gordon B. Hinckley why it did not contain any representation of the cross, the most common symbol of the Christian faith. President Hinckley replied that the symbols of our Christian faith are “the lives of our people.” Truly, our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen. [5] 

The service to our fellowmen includes the work we do in the home as well as outside of it. When we reach out to others, we are serving them. One of the things that I enjoy doing is volunteering in my children’s classrooms. It’s just a couple of hours a month, but it means a lot to my children. It also helps out the teachers. And I have fun getting to know the kids in the classroom. Just a little act of service can make a big difference.

5. You don’t have to be famous to be important in the world. 

The final thing I want my daughter to know is that you don’t have to be famous to be important in the world. The most influential women in my life have never graced the pages of a history book. Their names have never appeared in any newspaper, and the world wouldn’t know their names if they were—my mother and grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Also included are the many teachers in the youth organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ who loved me, and made sure that I knew it. I had one teacher who recognized that the work that I did for my family outside her class adversely impacted what happened in her class. But she recognized that I was doing the best I knew how—and honored me for it. It had never occurred to me that I was doing service for my family, and I had no idea that anyone ever noticed. I am still humbled at the love these women showed me, and their efforts resonate with me still to this day.

My kids make me feel important when they need and want me around—when my 13-year-old asks for my help in getting ready for Scout camp. Or my 9-year-old wants me to go to her game. Or my 6-year-old wants me to play a game with him. And I feel important when LMK, my almost-12-year-old, wants me to go to the first day of Girls Camp (a camp sponsored by the local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ for girls ages 12-18) and spend the night so that she can sleep with me in a tent. All of my education, experiences and sacrifices are worth moments like these. That is the power that women hold—the power to change the world, one child at a time.

The post 5 Things I Want my Daughter to Know About the Power of Mormon Women appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Event #3 Live the Book (June 24)

Explain how the Book of Mormon influences the way you live.

Event #4 Share the Book (July 1)

Invite your friends to learn more about the Book of Mormon and specifically invite someone to be taught about the Book of Mormon by missionaries online or in person!

The end goal is to share the Book of Mormon, not just with the masses, but with specific people. Their purpose is to create teaching opportunities online for missionaries through you!

How to Participate

Go to the Called to Share Facebook page.  Basically, you are invited to post a sentence or two about your Book of Mormon experiences, and add a photo with a particular hashtag.  Here’s a sample post on the page:

Don’t Miss the Chat with David Archuleta!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that the public will have the opportunity to participate in a live Facebook chat with American pop-star, David Archuleta.

On June 24 at 7 pm (EDT), Archuleta will have the opportunity to discuss with youth around the world about his decision to put his music career on hold and serve a 2-year mission for the Church. The chat will enable youth to ask Archuleta questions and hear stories from his mission. The statement on LDS.org reports that Bonnie L. Oscarson, the Young Women General President, and David L. Beck, the Young Men’s General President, will moderate the discussion (from LDS.net).

The post Coming Events You Should Know About — David Archuleta Open Chat and Book of Mormon Share appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

An Interview with the PA Manager of the Church

Ally Isom, Senior Manager of Public Affairs with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was interviewed by Doug Fabrizio of Radio West. They discussed the details of the church disciplinary process as described by the Church.

During the interview, Isom states that the church defines apostasy as when “members turn away from the principles of the gospel, or corrupt principles of the gospel, or make unauthorized changes in Church organizations or priesthood ordinances.” She continues to say that expressing personal views is one thing, but it’s a completely different situation when an individual begins to actively draw others away from clear gospel doctrine. She explains the dangers of this by quoting President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Small aberrations in doctrinal teaching can lead to large and evil falsehoods” (from LDS.net).

A Thorough and Thoughtful Article at Patheos.com

Latter-day Saint convert, Karen Trifiletti, also posted a thoughtful article at Patheos called John Dehlin and Kate Kelly: Reflections on Church Discipline. In it, Karen discusses “loving disciplinary action,” calling failure to discipline a less-loving choice:

Today, professing Christians—as well as progressive parents—are almost afraid to practice discipline out of fear of appearing uncaring. But actually choosing not to discipline, in the case of grievances of Church doctrine or behavior, is the uncaring, least merciful course, for the offender and for the body of Christ.

Church discipline invites a change of heart, and keeps “the body of Christ free from influences that weaken others’ faith in Jesus Christ and his teachings,” Karen says.

Of particular concern to Karen and all the members of the Church is an understanding of the use and nature of “priesthood,” which we define as the power and authority to act in God’s name. The priesthood is a blessing that comes with membership in the “true and living” Church, and the idea that it is somehow limited to men in administrative callings is a wrong idea.  Says Karen,

The priesthood is infinite, and is continually poured out and its powers and blessings are shared as the Lord has designated. There is no scarcity of it, nor does it need to be re-distributed according to secular versions of functional equality. All women have access to the power of the priesthood and equal access to God.

Read more about the infinite blessings of the priesthood on LDS.net.  If you are confused by the claims of the Ordain Women group and wondering about their ‘grievances,” this is a must-read, shared by the same author.

An Experienced Mormon Leader Reflects on Church Disciplinary Councils

Also a very worthwhile read on the subject of church discipline in Mormonism is a piece called Middle Aged Mormon Man — Why I Love Church Disciplinary Councils.

My views regarding church disciplinary councils come from almost a decade of actively participating in them as a bishop, and a member of Stake councils. I have had the privilege and responsibility to participate in dozens of councils over that time.

MMM comments on the palpable feeling of the presence of the Holy Ghost at these councils, perhaps more profoundly felt than in any other process of service.

I have witnessed the power of the Atonement of Christ heal broken hearts and darkened spirits. I have seen the very real change of countenance in the face and eyes of many repentant souls who sought, and found, forgiveness.

In the midst of this controversy, these three articles can give you a clear picture of the purpose, context, and content of Mormon disciplinary councils and show how church discipline is guided by a loving Heavenly Father through the presence of the Holy Ghost.

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Mormon LDS Apostle Dallin H. Oaks #ElderOaks

Last night, my husband’s family gathered in the evening so the men and young men in the family could attend priesthood session of General Conference together. The women (and young boys) of the family enjoyed our tradition of a dinner cooked by Favorite Aunt Chris. We often will do a movie, but this time Chris had provided an activity for us all. It’s an awesome tradition that we all love.

When “the boys” got home from priesthood session, they ate and we all enjoyed some dessert and then many of us gathered around the television to watch the excitement of the Final Four game between Kentucky and Wisconsin. It was fun to be able to enjoy both spiritual stuff and some fun stuff together.

Now as I’m decompressing from the awesomeness that is General Conference and family traditions around Conference, I took a look at the trends on Twitter. A few minutes ago, six of the top ten Twitter trends (one of which is a promoted hashtag) had something to do with General Conference. #FinalFour was up there, too.

#ldsconf
#ElderOaks
#priesthoodsession
#PresMonson
#FinalFour
President Monson
Priesthood

And now, #ElderOaks and #priesthoodsession are bookending #finalfour.

Twitter reflects the two things that made up our day memorable!

Kinda fun.

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I love what one sister missionary said about her service as a missionary and as a trainer and leader.

“It’s helping us be the leaders we need to be in the church in the future….It’s helping us be the mothers we need to be in the future. We’re going to be able to take everything we learned here, how to work with others, how to help them, how to strengthen and inspire them. Finding the one isn’t just something we’re doing now. We’re called to be missionaries and leaders the rest of our lives.”

As noted in the article, the role of Mormon women in councils is something that has been taught by our leaders for years. The missionary leadership opportunities for sisters is facilitating some of that participation on councils.

“Priesthood leaders cannot afford to overlook the experience, wisdom, sensitivity and insight women bring to such deliberations,” Elder M. Russell Ballard wrote in his book, “Counseling with Our Councils,” which first was published in 1997. “And women who do not work to contribute all they can in the council setting sell themselves short.”

One of the things that makes leadership in the “Mormon church” unique is that the council system is central to the process. Elder Ballard teaches:

“God, the Master Organizer, has inspired a creation of a system of committees and councils. If understood and put to proper use, this system will decrease the burden on all individual leaders and will extend the reach and the impact of their ministry through the combined help of others.”

Elder Ballard shares an example of some training he did after giving a General Conference (yay #ldsconf!) talk on counseling with our councils. He had a ward council come up and talk about a problem, and the bishop immediately took charge. Elder Ballard invited the bishop to try again, this time asking for input from everyone on the council, especially encourag[ing] him to ask the sisters for their ideas. When the bishop opened the meeting to council members and invited them to counsel together, the effect was like opening the floodgates of heaven. A reservoir of insight and inspiration suddenly began to flow between council members ….”

This notion of the council system is critical to understanding Mormon church leadership and structure. It mirrors what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 12.

14 For the body is not one member, but many.

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

I have seen the power of the council system at work. I truly believe, as Elder Ballard taught, that it is divine. I also believe we still have a ways to go to tap into the power of this divine process. It’s great to see young adults experiencing that power. As the Mormon woman missionary above noted, those experiences will help prepare them for life and service in their families, in the Church, and in other spheres of influence where they may be guided to serve.

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It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Lord’s work. Tomorrow, Sunday June 23, there will be a broadcast at 4:00 p.m. MDT with messages from President Thomas S. Monson, President Boyd K. Packer, and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This is a special mission president’s seminar that is being opened up for local leaders and interested Church members to attend/listen to via satellite. For more information about the schedule for the broadcast via the Church satellite system, the Internet, etc., see broadcastinfo.lds.org.

The broadcast can be heard in a variety of languages: http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/languages/the-work-of-salvation/2013/06?lang=eng

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This interview with Sister Linda K. Burton, Sister Elaine S. Dalton and Sister Rosemary M. Wixom provide some insights into how the council system works in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, how Mormon women are involved in councils at different levels of the Church (for example, there was a committee that discussed the missionary age change — revelation in the Church often flows through councils working together), and how the priesthood impacts our lives. They also address some questions that some have about Mormon women and leadership and the priesthood.

The post Mormon Women Leaders Interview appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Thanks to Rachael C. McKinnon for this post. (Read more of Rachael’s essays here and here.)

Sunday mornings in our home are sometimes bittersweet. My children jump out of bed, invigorated with the prospect of a full day with no piano practice, no homework, no chores and no yard work. But with the sweet relief of day-to-day labors for my children comes a slight letdown; Sunday is the Sabbath. Today we will dress in our best clothes. Today we will attend church, take the sacrament and remember to be reverent. Today we will focus all our activities towards drawing closer to Jesus Christ.

It’s not the same for adults. But it’s a tough compromise when you’re young. And there are occasional Sundays where my kids would rather struggle through piano practice than try to sit quietly through church meetings.

We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as Mormons) and we believe in the Sabbath. We believe the Sabbath to be an eternal principle, “existing all the way back to the time of Adam, whenever the gospel was on the earth among men…. The importance of a sacred day for man to rest from his temporal labors, contemplate the world of the Lord and assemble for public worship is a major item in a person’s spiritual development.” (LDS Bible Dictionary, Sabbath.)

There are various ways in which Latter-day Saints celebrate the Sabbath. And there are generally no hard-set rules with regards to activities except the necessary attendance and worshiping at church and the avoidance of business and shopping. President Spencer W. Kimball, a previous prophet of the LDS Church has remarked on the observance of the Sabbath;

“The Sabbath is a day on which to take inventory—to analyze our weaknesses, to confess our sins to our associates and our Lord. It is a day on which to fast in ‘sackcloth and ashes.’ It is a day on which to read good books, a day to contemplate and ponder, … a day to study the scriptures and to prepare sermons, a day to nap and rest and relax, a day to visit the sick, a day to preach the gospel, a day to proselyte, a day to visit quietly with the family and get acquainted with our children, a day for proper courting, a day to do good, a day to drink at the fountain of knowledge and of instruction, a day to seek forgiveness of our sins, a day for the enrichment of our spirit and our soul, a day to restore us to our spiritual stature, a day to partake of the emblems of his sacrifice and atonement, a day to contemplate the glories of the gospel and of the eternal realms, a day to climb high on the upward path toward our Heavenly Father” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball [1982], 216).

When I was in college, I decided to honor the Sabbath better by refraining from homework on Sunday. I wanted to set aside more time for building my relationship with God and family. My experiment began in the fall semester of my sophomore year – a semester where I was taking a burdensome course load, full of statistics, French, economics, Honors English and more. I desperately needed all the time I could have for study, and still, I decided to put my experiment to the test and complete all my necessary homework on Saturday and early Monday morning. That semester I received my highest marks I had ever achieved in schooling. And I found myself looking forward to Sunday. Here was my day to put all those worries aside and focus on the spiritual side of my life. The experiment went so well, I continued the practice through the rest of my undergraduate degree and into my graduate years.

As a parent, the Sabbath has come to mean something much more elemental and necessary in raising my four children. I cheer the opportunities we set aside on that day to worship our Heavenly Father and talk about the Gospel. We visit family, take walks, play games together, work on family history and spend more moments contemplating the sacred than we normally have the chance to get to during our usual hectic week.

For any believer of the bible, honoring the Sabbath holds tremendous meaning and blessing. In Leviticus it states;

“Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. … For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you” (Lev. 26:2–6, 9).

What amazing promise! The promise of enough food, rain and above all, peace, seem to be just as necessary and desired today as they were for the Israelites in the Old Testament. I imagine a more peaceful, family-focused, better society if individuals would place greater meaning on the Sabbath.

At their age, my children don’t fully understand the peace and rejuvenating feelings that come through the Sabbath. I didn’t really grasp the concept until I was a bit older. And I suspect it will be the same for them. The important point is that they are living the practice with their parents now and will come to recognize the feelings as they grow.

I am grateful for the Sabbath observances in my home. They strengthen my family and bring us closer to Jesus Christ. It is reassuring to know and look forward to that one day of the week where one “contemplates quiet tranquility, peace of mind and spirit.” (215).

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