Sign of the Sabbath

Archive of messages sent while serving as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As I go through each week reading the news and watching the politics of the day, I can get pretty depressed. I anxiously await each Sunday to be uplifted. Every Sabbath day brings renewal to my mind and spirit. The sacrament, talks, lessons, and meetings add to the enjoyment of the Sabbath, but perhaps one of the biggest reasons Sunday offers refuge to me is the gathering of the saints, each one of you, as we interact in a gospel setting.

Last year, President Russel M. Nelson invited everyone to ponder the question “What sign do I want to give to God,” as it relates to our activities and attitudes on the Sabbath day (The Sabbath Is a Delight, April 2015). How we worship on the Sabbath is a personal decision we make between us and the Lord.

As a ward, I believe there are few things we could do to strengthen our worship on Sunday and help others as they strive to worship as well. Please consider the following invitations and how they could help you in your Sunday observance:

·       Arrive 5-10 minutes early for Sacrament services

·       Ponder the sacrament or gospel questions as you wait for the meeting to start

·       Sing the hymns aloud

·       Vocally say amen at the end of prayers and talks

We have a wonderful and welcoming ward. These invitations should not be interpreted as us lacking in any areas, but ways that we can be more fully engaged in our worship together each Sunday.

Thank you for all the work you do to build the kingdom in our small corner of Payson.

Bishop Sullivan