Why Do Mormons Observe the Sabbath Day?

Public Affairs representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the four corners of the world met with Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik in the USA on April 7th 2016. The meeting was to discuss perspectives on religious freedom and the recent trend across the world for more interfaith dialogue and action.

The Sabbath day rose to the surface very quickly as a common denominator and possible solution to many of today’s ills. This was agreed as something to focus on that would unite us all and is central to building faith everywhere.

Mormons believe that partaking of the sacrament is an integral part of Sunday worship.  It is the most important part of the worship service which is held each Sunday in chapels around the world.  To members of the church it reminds them of the covenant they took when they were baptized.  The Sacrament helps them prepare for the upcoming week by having the spirit of the Lord bless their lives.

Interfaith dialogue and many inter-religious programs get bogged down with political agendas, doctrinal differences and extremism. The Sabbath idea or principle, which is to “remember to stop and stop to remember”, could make a great difference to strengthening spiritual resolve.

‘Shabbat’ in Hebrew means to ‘cease’ or ‘rest’; or in the words of Rabbi Soloveichik, “to stop”. Whether a Friday at noon, Saturday, Sunday, or any time set aside to remember one’s faith and live it; it is an idea that is beautifully simple and simply beautiful. Time must be given to spiritual things, to rest, and recharge the batteries.

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have taken this subject seriously. In 2015 many church leaders emphasized the need to give back the Sabbath day, and urged members to improve the Sabbath day experience especially in the home.“ This emphasis is about increasing faith,’ said Elder Anthony D. Perkins.

“We all need more faith,’ said Elder Kim B. Clark, “Church leaders are looking ahead and they see what is coming”.

Sunday is a good time for families to teach and talk about personal self-reliance and to give service to others, said Bishop Dean M. Davies a member of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church.  “It can be planning, but it can also be execution,” he said explaining that members can visit those who are sick or lonely on Sunday.  Sunday is also a good day for members to work on their family history.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormons believe that observance of the Sabbath is an unerring measure of our attitude towards religion and our God. In 2016 the Church has launched a global social media campaign called share #HisDay to strengthen faith everywhere. The campaign invites people everywhere to share their Sabbath by taking a photo of an uplifting moment or weekly tradition; share a great idea for a Sabbath activity or how to prepare for Sunday; tell a story; record a song or capture something on video; and then ‘Get Social’ by sharing it both to their network and to a dedicated Share His Day website using #HisDay.

Could the Sabbath day be the answer?