my cup runneth over

Last weekend was the General conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It's a time where members from all around the world come together to listen to the Prophet, Apostles, and other of the Lord's anointed. We learn the Lord's specific will for us at this time. It's a spiritual feast that I like to continue to partake of over the six months until the next one. With new technology, I re-listen to these talks, read them, and study their precepts through the scriptures.

Today, I'm focusing my studies on a talk by L. Tom Perry, The Sabbath and the Sacrament. The New Testament, which most of my scriptural focus centers around this year, gives us great insight into the birth, life, and mission of the Lord, Jesus Christ and the missions of the Apostles after the crucification and resurrection. The commandments and sacrifices spoken of in the Old Testament are explained, built upon, and fulfilled in the New Testament.

As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, the command to keep the Sabbath day holy is still in effect. However the law of sacrifice has been fulfilled through the crucification and built upon with the Sacrament. Remembering Jesus Christ at all times, and in all things, and in all places includes keeping the Sabbath day holy and making the sacrament the center of this special day.

Later Jesus commanded, "And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up they sacraments upon my holy day; for verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High." Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-10, 13 This tells me that I need to go to church. Although some say the worship better out in nature, riding ATVs, hunting, camping, gardening, and so forth, Jesus requires formal worship from his disciples.

Formal worship, partaking of the sacrament meal, and resting from the labors and cares of everyday life are what is meant by keeping the Sabbath day holy. We are not supposed to work nor are we supposed to cause others to work. I take this to mean I should prepare simple meals on Saturday, not go to restaurants, not go shopping, and not participate in recreation.

I should spend my day remembering the sacrifices made by Jesus, studying scripture, writing letters to loved ones, visiting the lonely, and resting from the cares of the world. I should spend part of my Saturdays preparing for this worship so I might receive the blessings of it. One way I like to do this is attending the temple. Another way is preparing a big pot of soup and salad fixings. I remember the old Primary song, Saturday is a special day, and do take care of physical preparations talked about in the song. On those Sabbath days, when I have taken the time to prepare myself physically and spiritually, the Lord is then able to bless me. "...my cup runneth over." Psalm 23:6

What do you do to prepare for and keep the Sabbath day holy?