Lesson: "Offer up thy sacraments upon this holy day"

George Albert Smith Lesson #16, Offer up Thy Sacraments upon My Holy Day

God’s commandment that we keep the Sabbath day holy is not a burden but a blessing. 

[The Lord] has taught us that we must observe the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. One day of the seven he has set apart as his day, and in consideration of all his blessings bestowed upon us on the other days it would appear to me that we ought to find joy in doing the things that he asks us to do on his holy day, and I believe that unless we do we will find no happiness. … He wants us to be happy and has told us how we may earn that happiness.

We should think of the purpose of the [Lord’s] day and partake of the influence of worship. What would it accomplish for the world if all the children of our Heavenly Father—and we are all his children—would respect his desire that the Sabbath should be a day of worship. There is no way of estimating what a beneficial change might be wrought, not only in our own nation, but in all nations of the world if we honored the Sabbath Day and kept it holy.

The Sabbath has become the play-day … —the day set apart by thousands to violate the commandment that God gave long, long ago, and I am persuaded 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 admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy.

One of the first sermons that were preached in this [the Salt Lake] valley was by President Brigham Young, and he warned the people to honor the Sabbath day and to keep it holy, and no matter how difficult their circumstances they were not to go out and do manual labor on the Sabbath day. …

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has encouraged its people to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy because it is pleasing to our Heavenly Father that we do so.

In addition to refraining from our labors, we know that:

1. Attending church is an important part of keeping the Sabbath day holy.
2. It is a sacred privilege to partake of the sacrament on the Sabbath day.
3. Worthily partaking of the sacrament renews our spiritual strength.

May the Lord bless us; may His Spirit continue to be poured out upon us. May we love each other, as our Father commanded that we should do. If we can partake of the sacrament worthily, we can love each other, even as our Father has ordained; remembering that He has said unto us: “If ye are not one, ye are not mine.” [D&C 38:27.]

Question & Answer Lesson

This week the Bishopric organized a question and answer lesson for our combined RS/PH lesson.

Elder Scott suggested this in a 4-hour training session with local PH leadership. Let the ward members offer help and answers for each other.

Each question and answer are limited to just a few minutes. Comments were offered in an encouraging way because these are honest questions from the heart.

Here are a few of the questions:

Q
What's the best way to help a wayward child that has been taught well?

A
Parents pressuring all the time may irritate and backfire.
Honor agency.
Live your life so they will always want to be there with you.
Remember the parable of  the prodigal son.
The cycle will take it's course.
Discuss through the years God's love for them.
Have total unequivable acceptance.
Keep hope.
Tell of your love for them.
Express pride in them, in their lives as they are now.

Q
Is there such a thing as a sin that cannot be forgiven?

A
If we accept Christ, he will cover our sins. If not we will have to pay the price.
Sometimes we choose to keep some of our sins. We are forgiven of those which we choose to give to Him.
Only sin against the Holy Ghost is unforgivable.
Come unto Christ. It's always an invitation.

Q
Why don't we have going away get-togethers for families leaving?

A
The Bishop answered that with all the new move-ins and move-outs they were afraid that someone would be overlooked and get feelings hurt.
Maybe we could do it once a month and make it a general gathering after church, a potluck.

Q
My spouse means well but is too critical of others. What can I do to help?

A 
Be gentle but firm, ask "do you need to rethink you view".
The core teaching of the gospel is forgiveness. Think about how far you are following him.
Look at your own faults.
Let's not be too judgmental about those who are judgmental. Look inward first.

Q
Can we bless and pass the sacrament while camping on Sunday?

A 
There are special occasions such as scout jamborees and so on, that create special memories.
Only under the direction of the bishop, that is, the bishop for the area you are camping in.
Try to attend a church in the area where you are.

There were quite a variety of questions and answers and we hope to do this again.

Thanks, Bishop.

Lesson Recap: Honorably Hold A Name and Standing

Taught by Cheryl Wentzel, October 25

Honorably Hold a Name and Standing, David A Bednar

The Sheaves Will Be Gathered In

“Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted” (Alma 26:5).

The sheaves in this analogy represent newly baptized members of the Church.

The garners are the holy temples.

Baptism and the Sacrament Point Us to the Temple

Elder Neal A. Maxwell explained:

Clearly, when we baptize, our eyes should gaze beyond the baptismal font to the holy temple. The great garner into which the sheaves should be gathered is the holy temple.

This instruction clarifies and emphasizes the importance of sacred temple ordinances and covenants—that the sheaves may not be wasted.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained that in renewing our baptismal covenants by partaking of the emblems of the sacrament, “we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. [Rather], we witness that we are willing to do so. (See D&C 20:77.)

The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the [ultimate and] most important sense” (“Taking upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 1985, 81).

The baptismal covenant clearly contemplates a future event or events and looks forward to the temple.

The Fire of the Covenant

Today temples dot the earth as sacred places of ordinances and covenants, of edification, and of refuge from the storm.

The fire of the covenant will burn in the heart of every faithful member of this Church who shall worship and honorably hold a name and standing in the Lord’s holy house.

Within the Sound of My Voice...

...are many young women, young men, and children. I plead with you to be worthy, to be steadfast, and to look forward with great anticipation to the day you will receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple.

...are individuals who should have but have not yet received the ordinances of the house of the Lord. Whatever the reason, however long the delay, I invite you to begin making the spiritual preparations so you can receive the blessings available only in the holy temple. Please cast away the things in your life that stand in the way. Please seek after the things that are of eternal consequence.

...are individuals who have received the ordinances of the temple and for various reasons have not returned to the house of the Lord in quite some time. Please repent, prepare, and do whatever needs to be done so you can again worship in the temple and more fully remember and honor your sacred covenants.

...are many individuals who hold current temple recommends and strive worthily to use them. I commend you for your faithfulness and devotion.

Sisters, Let us prepare for the Ward Temple trip on November 7th. If you have not received your endowments, do baptisms for the dead or visit the Visitors Center. If it's been some time since you've been to the temple, make arrangements and come us this now. If you visit regularly, find a way to support others who may be struggling to get there. Let's all go rejoicing together!

Ellen