Elder L. Tom Perry: 'The Sabbath and the Sacrament'
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181st Annual General Conference — Church News coverage
There is no better way to begin or continue as an example of the believers than in the observance of the Sabbath day, said Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve.
"On this day before the Sabbath, as we begin this great conference, let us remember the blessings and opportunities that are ours as we attend sacrament meeting each week in our wards and branches. Let us prepare and conduct ourselves on the Sabbath in a manner that will call down those blessings promised us upon ourselves and our families."
Speaking during the Saturday morning session on the topic "The Sabbath and the Sacrament," Elder Perry said the world today is so saturated with doctrines of men that it is easy to forget and lose faith in that all-important account of the Savior's life and ministry — the New Testament.
"This sacred volume is the centerpiece of scriptural history, just as the Savior Himself should be the centerpiece of our lives," he said. "We must commit ourselves to study and treasure it."
Elder Perry said there are priceless pearls of wisdom to be found by studying the New Testament.
"I always enjoy reading the accounts of Paul as he traveled and organized the Savior's Church, especially his teachings to Timothy. ... 'These things command and teach, be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity'" (1 Timothy 4:11-12).
Beginning with the creation of the world, one day was set apart from all others, Elder Perry explained.
"The pattern of Sabbath day observance must always include worship. ... The sacrifice of animals reminded Adam's posterity that one day the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, would make a sacrifice of His own life for us."
Elder Perry said throughout His life, the Savior spoke of that sacrifice. The Savior's Atonement became the great and last sacrifice.
It is remarkable that even through the dark period of the apostasy this pattern of the Sabbath day observance and the sacrament continued to be practiced in many forms, he said.
Elder Perry said partaking of the sacrament is the center of our Sabbath day observance.
"As we consider the pattern of the Sabbath and the sacrament in our own lives, there appear to be three things the Lord requires of us. First, to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Second, to go to the house of prayer and offer up our sacraments. And third, to rest from our labors.
"It is a glorious thing to a Christian, to live as a true disciple of Christ."
In these latter days, he concluded, the adversary succeeds when Church members relax their commitment to the Savior, ignore His teachings in the New Testament and other scripture, and cease to follow Him.
"Parents, now is the time to teach our children to be examples of the believers by attending sacrament meeting. When Sunday morning arrives, help them be well-rested, properly dressed and spiritually prepared to partake of the emblems of the sacrament and receive the enlightening, edifying, ennobling power of the Holy Ghost. Let your family be filled with love as you honor the Sabbath all day long and experience its spiritual blessings throughout the week."
