During a Sunday school class, the gospel doctrine teacher asked her students to name some activities appropriate for the Sabbath Day.

As the responses were tallied and written on the board, she asked for a further explanation of each, such as attendance at Church, visiting the sick, scripture study and spending time with family.

An elderly sister described an activity that she and her family enjoyed after attending Church meetings. A few in the class expressed the opinion that her family's activity was not appropriate for the Sabbath.

Obviously, no one likes to be told their Sunday activity might not be in harmony with the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. But there are increasing enticements to deter people from keeping this commandment. For example, retailers routinely advertise special sales on Sunday and more and more sporting events are being played on Sunday including, for the first time this year in the U.S., college football games.

No one doubts that some professions and jobs require work on the Sabbath, such police officers, firefighters and health care professionals. But for many, Sunday is just another day to complete weekend activities rather than turning their attention to the Lord and obeying His commandment.

In a conference address on keeping the Sabbath holy, President James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said: "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" (Ensign, November 1991, p. 33-34).

Sometimes extraordinary circumstances, including illnesses or emergencies, require us to be away from Church. Even in those instances, individuals can make efforts to retain the sacred nature of the day.

Many years ago, President George Albert Smith, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said, "I am persuaded that much of the sorrow and distress that is afflicting and will continue to afflict mankind is traceable to the fact that they have ignored His admonition to keep the Sabbath day holy" (Conference Report, October 1935, p. 120).

When the consolidated meeting schedule was announced in 1980, the First Presidency counseled: "A great responsibility will be placed upon the individual members and families for properly observing the Sabbath day. More time will be available for personal study of the scriptures and family-centered gospel study. Other appropriate Sabbath activities ... should be carefully planned and carried out."

Following this guideline, we will find greater resolve to devote more of our Sunday time to the Lord and His service and less to ourselves and our amusements.