Doctrine & Covenants 59

This section restored the law of the Sabbath as it had been given to ancient Israel.

Doctrine & Covenants 59:1-4

“Polly Knight”

Polly, who was a member of the Colesville Branch, was the aged wife of Joseph Knight Senior who’s greatest desire was to set her feet upon the land of Zion.

Newel, her son went to shore and bought lumber to make a coffin in case she should die before they arrived. The Lord gave her the desire of her heart, and she lived to stand upon the “New Jerusalem.”

She died on August 7th, 1831.

This was the first death in the Church in this land, and “I (Joseph) can say, a worthy member sleeps in Jesus till the resurrection” (History of the Church, 1:199).

Doctrine & Covenants 59:6

Anything like unto it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf714AILTj8

Sabbath Day -- Holy Day or

Holiday?Look at what you can do, not what you can’t.

Doctrine & Covenants 59:5-9

“The New 10 Commandments”

This revelation not only re-establishes the law of the Sabbath for this dispensation but also reinstates the Decalogue, affirming that the Ten Commandments as given to Moses on Sinai were part to the higher law rather than the law of carnal commandments.

As given in this dispensation, these commandments are as follows:

1. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength.

2. In the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.

3. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

4. Thou shalt not steal.

5. Neither commit adultery.

6. Nor kill.

7. Nor do anything like unto it.

8. Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.

9. Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

10.And that thou mayest more fully keep thy self unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.

Human misery is nothing more than the flip side of the Ten Commandments. Most of the news we read or watch on television represents, in one way or another, the breeching of God’s commandments, departures from the “great plan of our God.” Different consequences emerge so quickly from different lifestyles (Neal A. Maxwell, We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ, 73-74).

Doctrine & Covenants 59:9-12

The Star, printed by W.W. Phelps offered advice concerning the Sabbath Day and keeping it holy.

The Lord is not well pleased with a disciple that does anything on that holy day that should be done on a laboring day. Nor should a disciple go to meetings one Sabbath here and another there, meet in their own place. Neither should children be allowed to slip off and play, rather than meet and be trained in the way they should go to be saved (Oct.,1832, 5).

And as we move forward into a wonderful future, there are what some may regard as the lesser commandments but which are also of such tremendous importance.

“I mention the Sabbath Day”

The Sabbath of the Lord is becoming the play day of the people. It is a day of golf and football on television, of buying and selling in our stores and markets.

Are we moving to mainstream America as some observers believe? In this I fear we are. What a telling thing it is to see the parking lots of the markets filled on Sunday in communities that are predominately LDS.

Our strength for the future, our resolution to grow the Church across the world, will be weakened if we violate the will of the Lord in this important matter.

“There is,” said David O. McKay, “no more sacred ordinance administered in the Church of Jesus Christ than the administration of the Sacrament.”

Doctrine & Covenants 59:9

“The true test!”

The true test is here given.

That which keeps us “unspotted from the world” is in harmony with the law of the Sabbath; that which does not so distinguish us is not in harmony with the spirit of the day.

Our dress, our speech, and our behavior on this day should be such that it attests that we are a covenant people who love and honor the Lord.

Anything less than this is less than the standard which ought to be ours.

Anciently, a sacrament was a ceremony in which a soldier swore an oath of allegiance to his king.

So it is in the realm of spiritual things; a sacrament is a ceremony associated with a covenant in which we pledge loyalty to Christ and the standards of the gospel.

Thus a sacrament is a formal expression of commitment and loyalty to our divinely sent King.

Not one Sabbath day should pass without making the wrongs of the week right.

Most sins would not be grievous, if attended to immediately.

Once one leaves the porch and comes inside the Church, then one not only hears the music more clearly --- he becomes a part of it (Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, Nov., 13).

Our outward involvement in spiritual things can also be illusive. One can be present at sacrament meeting but not really worship; the physical body can be there, while the mind and heart are elsewhere. One can accept a calling but still not magnify it, ending up by simply serving time. One can pay fast offerings unaccompanied by any personal service to needy neighbors or to the poor. We can open our checkbooks in the same way as some open their scriptures --- more in mechanical than spiritual compliance. In church we can join in singing the hymns while being without a song in our hearts. We can take the sacrament with hand and mouth yet not be taken in mind, at least sometimes, to Gethsemane and Calvary. We can play artful doctrinal ping-pong in various Church classes but with minds and hearts that are less stretched than the ping-pong net (Neal A. Maxwell, Men and Women of Christ, 6-7).

Fair-weather followership cannot see us through Life’s stormy seasons (Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will But Thine, 127).

Homework on Sunday?

“Over a lifetime of observation, it is clear to me that the farmer who observes the Sabbath day seems to get more done on his farm than he would if he worked seven days. The mechanic will be able to turn out more and better products in six days than in seven. The doctor, the lawyer, the dentist, the scientist will accomplish more by trying to rest on the Sabbath than if he tries to utilize every day of the week for his professional work. I would counsel all students, if they can, to arrange their schedules so that they do not study on the Sabbath. If students and other seekers after truth will do this, their minds will be quickened and the infinite Spirit will lead them to the verities they wish to learn. This is because God has hallowed his day and blessed it as a perpetual covenant of faithfulness (Elder James E. Faust, Ensign, Nov. 1991, 34). (Exodus 31:16)

“Teachers who are commanded to teach “the principles of [the] gospel” and “the doctrine of the kingdom” (D&C 88:77) should generally forgo teaching specific rules of applications. For example, they would not teach any rules for determining what is a full tithing, and they would not provide a list of dos and don’ts for keeping the Sabbath day holy. Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Gospel Teaching,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 78).

Doctrine & Covenants 59:12

Isaiah 58:13-14

Oblations – in the highest sense giving full devotion to the Lord of offering him a broken heart and contrite spirit (M.D., 541-42).

Doctrine & Covenants 59:13-14

Why fast? (Isaiah 58:5-11)

Fasting without prayer is hardly more than a period of irritating hunger. With prayer it is spiritual strength and hunger.

Fasting is sometimes thought of as going without food and drink. Smith and Sjodahl pointed out “upon the Sabbath, even the food should be prepared ‘with singleness of heart’; that is to say, in simplicity.”

Our hearts our desires, on that day, would not be elaborate feast, whereby some are prevented from having a Sabbath.

A simple meal should suffice. To that extent every Sabbath should be a fast day, one bringing perfect joy.

“Let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart”

This is not a commandment precluding nice meals on the Lord’s day, but rather that those that prepare meals and those that receive of the bounty of the Lord recognize the hand from whom all blessings flow.

Doctrine & Covenants 59:13

“Fasting may be perfect”

Let it be remembered that the observance of the fast day by abstaining twenty-four hours from food and drink is not an absolute rule, it is no ironclad law to us, but it is left with the people as a matter of conscience, to exercise wisdom and discretion.

Many are subject to weakness, others are delicate in health, and others having nursing babies; of such it should not be required to fast.

Neither should parents compel their little children to fast. (President Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 243-44).

Each Sabbath is a day of fasting, abstaining from the things of the world, including the good things of the world.

The Sabbath is a day to refrain from worldly activities regardless of how wholesome they may be.

To justify participating in worldly activities on the Sabbath because they are good activities is to have an imperfect fast.

“Not with much laughter, for this is sin.”

Activities that lead to excessive laughter are not appropriate on the Sabbath (Galatians 5:22-23, Doctrine & Covenants 88:69, Doctrine & Covenants 88:121).

Toward the end of the century, economic changes in the working world made it difficult to attend a daytime Thursday fast meeting. In 1896 Hyrum M. Smith, then a missionary in England, wrote to his father, President Joseph F. Smith, then second counselor in the First Presidency, about the difficulty members faced getting excused from their jobs to attend Thursday fast meetings. Workers had no paid leave, and “when these came from the pits, they had to go home, bathe, and change their clothes” (Joseph Fielding Smith, “Prayer and Fasting,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1956, 895). He asked if Sunday would be a more appropriate day.

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve prayerfully discussed the question and felt guided to change fast meeting to the first Sunday of each month. In announcing the change, President Wilford Woodruff and his counselors said they recognized the need to make the meeting more accessible to all members throughout the world. The change became effective on 6 December 1896.

Fasting --- Righteous Suffering!

Mohandas Gandhi seized upon righteous suffering as a powerful motivational tool for good. Each of his fasts possessed a certain motivational power, but none had more far-reaching effects than the fasts at Calcutta and Delhi. Calcutta was battle-ground of hate. Gandhi, a Hindu, stayed at a Muslim home in the heart of the riot district. Some Hindus were incensed at Gandhi’s conciliatory conduct towards the enemy. An attempt on his life failed. Various consortiums of hot-headed Hindu youth were sent to Gandhi to convince him of the error of his ways. Each time the youth would remain and repeat, “The Mahatma is right.” The war continued. Finally, Gandhi announced a fast to the death unless the foes altered their course. It would be peace for them or death for him. After three days of fasting, the suffering of one revered by an entire nation proved too much for the people to bear. The softening and persuasive powers of his suffering melted “hearts of stone.”

Weapons, from knives to Sten guns, were laid at his feet. Almost overnight the healing occurred. Lord Mountbatten, one of the military leaders present observed, “What 50,000 well-equipped soldiers could not do, the Mahatma has done. He has brought peace” (Jones, Mahatma Gandhi,116-17). And so he had.

Delhi was his next challenge. The tension was screw-tight. Gandhi proposed eight points on which Hindus and Muslims must reach accord, or again he would fast to the death. All eight points favored the Muslims. The risk was staggering, but his goal was honorable: to unify a divided nation. After six days the pact of peace was signed. E. Stanley Jones, present just before the fast, wrote: “This was no cheap signing of an ordinary peace pact. There was a moral quality here that made it different. His blood and their tears cemented the pact.” He also noted: “His method and his aim were right….He shook that nation to its depths---shook it morally” (Jones, Mahatma Gandhi, 117-18).

Through the power of righteous suffering a diminutive, seventy-nine-year-old man, waning in life, literally saved a nation by bringing it to its spiritual senses.

The Elements Of Suffering That Redeem

Suffering in behalf of another seems to have its major impact for good when at least four elements are present.

First, the sufferer is pure and worthy.

Second, the cause for which they suffer is just.

Third, the recipient knows and loves the sufferer.

Fourth, the recipient appreciates the cause for which the suffering occurs.

When these four elements simultaneously exist, the chemistry for human behavioral change is explosive.

In the context of the Atonement the first two elements above are givens. The last two are entirely dependent upon us (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 217).

Doctrine & Covenants 59:21

The Sin of Ingratitude!

God experiences a deep, divine disappointment in us when we are ungrateful and when we are unwilling to confess God’s hand in all things. But it is because of what our sustained ingratitude does to us, not to Him. Failure to see His hand in human affairs in bringing to pass His eternal purposes and plans in the world (at the same time leaving us to exercise our agency) is a fatal misreading of life. It also represents a profound spur to selfishness and self-centeredness. It is these faults which lead to the celebration of the appetites rather than of spiritual things. And God knows perfectly what the end results of such trends are so far as human misery is concerned. It is our true happiness which He desires for us, His children, and “wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). (Neal A. Maxwell, Sermons, 85).

Thanksgiving Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor --- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Comparatively, we are so much quicker to return favors and to pay our debts to mortals --- and we should be responsive and grateful. But what of Him who gave us mortal life itself, who will ere long give us all immortality, and who proffers to the faithful the greatest gift of all, eternal life? We are poor bookkeepers, indeed! (Neal A. Maxwell, That Ye May Believe, 31).

Mortal mathematics…is forever mistaking who and what counts. Even so, we should be more quick to express genuine appreciation to others. The arithmetic of appreciation is far less practiced and known than the multiplication tables (Neal A. Maxwell, That Ye May Believe, 55).

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be --- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks --- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation --- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war --- for the great decree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed --- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government four our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted --- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed: and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge: and in general for all the great and various favor’s which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering and prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions --- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually --- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed --- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord --- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue and the increase of science among them and us --- and generally to grant unto all. Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

The Old Fisherman

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to outpatients at the clinic.

One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking old man. “Why he’s hardly taller than my eight year old,” I thought as I stared at the stooped, shriveled body.

But the appalling thing was his face, lopsided from swelling, red and raw. His voice was pleasant as he said, “good evening, I’ve come to see if you’ve a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and there’s no bus till morning.”

He told me he’d been hunting for a room since noon but with no success. “I guess it’s my face. I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments……” For a moment I hesitated but his next words convinced me, “I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning.”

I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch meanwhile. Then I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. “No, thank you, I have plenty” and he held up a brown paper bag.

When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn’t take long to see that this old man had an over-sized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn’t tell it by way of complaint. Every other sentence was prefaced with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful than no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going.

At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children’s room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little old man was out on the porch. He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favor, he said, “could I please come back and stay the next time I have to have a treatment? I won’t put you out a bit, I can sleep fine in a chair.” He paused a moment and then added, “your children don’t seem to mind.”

I told him he was welcome to come again. And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought us a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so they would be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at four a.m. and wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this.

In the years to come to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetable from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery: fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and how little money he had, made the gifts doubly precious.

When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next door neighbor made after he left that first morning. “Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away. You can lose roomers by putting up such people.”

And maybe we did, once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God.” (Mary Bartels, “The Old Fisherman,” Instructor, May 1968, 180-81).

10 Blessings Easy to Overlook:

1. Clean Water: 884 million people lack access to clean water.

2. A Bathroom: 40% of the world does not have a toilet.

3. Electricity: 1.6 billion people live without electricity.

4. Shelter: 2.5 million in America are homeless and 640 million children worldwide do not have shelter.

5. Food: 28% of children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or have stunted growth.

6. Your Stove: 2.5 billion people use fuel wood, charcoal or animal dung to meet their energy needs.

7. Regular income: Most of humanity lives on less than $10 dollars a day.

8. Education: Nearly 1 billion people cannot read a book or write their names.

9. Health: 2.2 million children die each year because they are not immunized. Annually there are 300-500 million cases of malaria, including 1 million fatalities.

10.Freedom to Worship God: More than 400 Christians die for their faith every day across the world.

(November 2013 American Family Association Journal)