See more of the The Universe’s coverage of the 185th Annual General Conference.
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve was the concluding speaker in the Sunday afternoon session of general conference.
He spoke of the Sabbath day and his own experiences as a young surgeon. For him the Sabbath was a day of rest, a time to heal from his weekly demands.
Elder Nelson then explained that the Lord wished his disciples to understand the day was given as a gift, “granting real respite from the rigors of daily life, and opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal.”
Elder Nelson then highlighted the Sabbath as a truly holy day. “The Sabbath was given as a perpetual covenant, a constant reminder that the Lord may sanctify his people.”
Elder Nelson followed with counsel that members ask themselves, “what signs (they) want to give to God in order to more fully observe the Sabbath day.”
Dutiful observance of the Sabbath day includes partaking of the sacrament, taking time to remember the Atonement of Christ and renewing covenants. “The fulness of the earth is promised to those who keep the Sabbath day holy,” Elder Nelson said. “No wonder Isaiah called the Sabbath a ‘delight.’”
Elder Nelson then added that quality family time, centered in gospel learning, on the Sabbath is the execution of an important God-given responsibility. “The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfill its essential functions,” Elder Nelson said.
He then spoke of the many gospel-teaching resources available to young parents and finished by exclaiming that “No other work transcends that of righteous, intentional parenting.”
Keeping the Sabbath day holy requires adherents to pause for their own labors. Elder Nelson likened dutiful Sabbath-day observance to paying a tithe with one’s own time, reserving every seventh day to doing the Lord’s will. “If you choose to delight yourself in the Lord, you will not permit yourself to treat it as any other day,” he said. “It is our privilege to consecrate both money and time to him who lends us life each day.”
Elder Nelson closed with a blessing and plea that the disciples of Christ will come to Christ, increasing in strength and eventually becoming sanctified.
