At the October 1991 general conference, Elder James E. Faust, then of the Quorum of the Twelve and now second counselor in the First Presidency, said that Jesus reaffirmed the importance of Sabbath day devotion, but He introduced a new spirit into this part of worship.

"Rather than observe the endless technicalities and prohibitions concerning what should and should not be done on the Lord's day, He affirmed that it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath. (See Matt. 12:12.) He taught us that 'the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.' (Matt. 12:8) and introduced the principle that 'the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.' (Mark 2:27.) He performed good deeds on the Sabbath, such as healing the man with palsy (see Mark 2:1-12), as well as the man with the paralyzed hand (see Matthew 12:10-13). So the divine mandate of Sabbath day observance in our day is now more of a manifestation of individual devotion and commitment rather than a requirement of civil law."

He quoted from modern revelation pertaining to the keeping of the Sabbath day. (See D&C 59:9-13.) This revelation, Elder Faust pointed out, "culminated with a promise: 'Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth.' " (D&C 59:16.)

Elder Faust said that keeping the Sabbath day holy is much more than just physical rest. "It involves spiritual renewal and worship," he said. "President Spencer W. Kimball gave excellent counsel on Sabbath day observance. He said:

" 'The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. 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. To fail to do these proper things is a transgression on the omission side.' " (The Miracle of Forgiveness, pp. 96-97.)

Elder Faust continued: "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. (See Ex. 31:16.)"