30 July 2015

The Sabbath is a Sign

The Lord gave the Sabbath day as a 2-way sign between us and him.

The Sabbath day

In a recent conference talk, Elder Russell M. Nelson (now President Russell M. Nelson) explained that the Sabbath is actually a sign between us and the Lord.

Ezekiel 20:12

12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.

This concept was helpful to Elder Nelson in determining what things he should do on the Sabbath day to keep it holy. This concept nullifies the need to keep lists of what things we should or should not do on the Sabbath. This is because the process asking ourselves what sign we wish to send to God with our proposed actions on the Sabbath is often enough to determine the appropriateness of said actions.

Exodus 31:13

13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.

This verse confirms that our keeping of the Sabbath constitues the sign mentioned above. Now for the insight I hadn't thought of until recently:

Ezekiel 20:20

20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.

This verse reveals the 2-way nature of the sign of the Sabbath. Not only does the Sabbath serve as a sign from us to God of our devotion to him, but it becomes a sign from God to us so that we know with certainty that he is our Lord and our God. This blessing of testimony cannot be underestimated.

Lately, there have been several lessons and training sessions devoted to the Sabbath day. One of the stated reasons for the training is because keeping the Sabbath day is the most effective way to strengthen our testimony of and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.

John 7:17

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Questions for reflection:

Scriptures to contemplate:

D&C 25:10

10 And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.

Mosiah 4:27

27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

Moroni 10:32

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

Mosiah 2:41

41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Jacob 2:18-19

18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.

19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

3 Nephi 13:33

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.