Rosie Ahmu remembers a time 35 years ago when the beaches in Samoa were empty on Sunday.

Today, she said, her native country is quite different. "A majority of people go to the beach, play games and go to movies, night clubs and restaurants on Sunday," she explained.Sister Ahmu of the Mesepa International Ward, Pago Pago American Samoa West Stake, said that as the people around her become more "worldly" it is more challenging to respect the Sabbath day. She is happy she raised her three children in a "simpler" time. They weren't tempted to shop on Sunday - not many stores were open. They didn't see anyone on the beach - some beaches were closed. They just did what everyone did - rest.

Now, she said, "there is so much influence from the outside world."

But, she emphasized, even though the country is changing, the Church principles remain the same. That's why she and her family have not found it too difficult to remain valiant amid a changing world.

She said her family has also been constantly reminded of the principle in Church, where her bishops have emphasized the need to keep Sunday a holy day.

During his travels, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has reminded Church members throughout the world to honor the Sabbath.

In a priesthood leadership session in Charlotte North Carolina Regional Conference last Feb. 24, President Hinckley called Sunday a "precious thing."

"It represents," he said, "the great culmination of the work of Jehovah in the creation of the earth and all that's found therein. When that was completed He looked upon it and saw that it was good and He rested on the Sabbath day. Now, I make a plea to our people to refrain from shopping on Sunday. You may say, `The little bit that I do doesn't make a bit of difference.' It makes all the difference in the world to you and to your children who will see your example."

Ken Macey gained a testimony of the fourth commandment 50 years ago from his father - the owner of three tiny grocery stores in the Rose Park area of Salt Lake City, who struggled with the decision to close his business on Sunday.

Brother Macey of the Holladay 4th Ward, Salt Lake Holladay South Stake, said his father's partner felt they needed to remain open on the Sabbath to stay in business.

"Once, Joseph Fielding Smith (then of the Quorum of the Twelve who would later serve as president of the Church) came into the store and noticed the sign with the store hours on it. He called my father to the front and said, `I don't patronize businesses that are open on Sunday. When you close, I will be back,' " Brother Macey recalled.

Not long after that experience, his father dissolved his partnership and closed his share of the business on Sunday. Elder Smith, as promised, again began shopping at the store.

"My dad knew that if he kept the Sabbath day holy and did what he was supposed to do he would be OK," he said.

Today, Brother Macey - like his father - closes his business on Sunday. "We have had good times. We have had tough times. Despite that, things have always worked out," he said, admitting he would make more money if he worked on Sunday.

Brother Macey said he looks to the scriptures and the prophets to determine what actions are, and are not appropriate on Sunday.

"The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things, . . ." wrote President Spencer W. Kimball in The Miracle of Forgiveness. "To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, sleeping, reading wholesome material and attending all the meetings of that day to which he is expected."

At a fireside Aug. 31, 1995, in Liverpool, England, President Hinckley said that although the commandment to keep the Sabbath day comes from the Ten Commandments, it is reaffirmed in strong and moving language in the modern revelation of this Church. "No one has to shop on Sunday. You don't have to buy butter on Sunday. You don't have to buy milk on Sunday. You don't have to buy clothes on Sunday. You don't have to buy furniture on Sunday. No, of course not. Thank the Lord for the Sabbath day reaffirmed in this dispensation as the day of the Lord, sacred unto Him as it should be sacred unto us."

In Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-13 the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith guidelines regarding the Sabbath day:

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

"For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors; and to pay thy devotion unto the Most High;

". . . And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full."

Jon and Patti Isaacson of the Platte City Branch, Liberty Missouri Stake, spend Sunday attending Church meetings, telephoning relatives, watching Church videos and reading books with their children. This "peaceful" day helps the family regroup for Monday and the daily pressures that come with it, said Sister Isaacson.

The family also looks forward to Sunday dinner - where everyone can attend despite busy schedules.

"We just try to do what is right," Brother Isaacson said. "We are happier when we do what is right."

Sister Ahmu said she has gained a testimony of this principle. She said she knows she is blessed when she is faithful, so she irons all her Sunday clothes, puts gas in the car and goes to the grocery store for milk and bread on Saturday.

President Hinckley told members attending a Promontory Branch sacrament meeting on Oct. 15, 1995, that they can gain a testimony of the principle of the Sabbath day simply by living it.

"If you have any doubt about the wisdom, the divinity of observing the Sabbath day, stay away from the stores on Sunday, stay away from the markets, stay home and gather your family about you, teach them the gospel, enjoy yourselves together on the Sabbath day, come to your meetings, participate," he said. "You will know that the principle of the Sabbath is a true principle which brings with it great blessings."