Question
Dear Gramps,
I have a job that requires me to work on Sundays occasionally. How do I then honor the Sabbath as we have been commanded to do?
Robert
Answer
Robert,
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” With these words, God etched the pattern of the Sabbath into the foundational commandments given to Moses on Sinai (see Exodus 20:8–11). The principle was simple, yet profound: set aside the seventh day for rest, worship, and holy activities. For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this commandment is both ancient and ever-relevant—one of the vital links that keeps individuals and families attuned to God in a busy, distracting world.
According to the teachings of the Church, the primary purpose of the Sabbath is worship. It is a deliberate shift in focus from everyday concerns and activities toward spiritual matters, reflecting on the Father who created us, the Savior who redeems us, and the Holy Spirit who guides us. Culturally, many Latter-day Saints refrain from working on Sunday so they can devote that time to private and public worship. Valuing that sacred time, they also strive to reduce the demand on others’ time away from worship.
This pattern is reinforced throughout scripture, from Exodus to modern revelations. In the Doctrine and Covenants, a foundational book of scripture for the Church, members are reminded that on the Lord’s Day, they should “offer [their] oblations and… sacraments unto the Most High, confessing [their] sins… and on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy joy may be full” (see Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-13).
It is tempting to see Sabbath observance as a checklist: don’t shop, don’t work, don’t entertain yourself in certain ways. But Church leaders and inspired members repeatedly teach that the “goal of the Sabbath is not to refrain from or prevent work. The purpose of the Sabbath is to worship. As an individual, I will worship. And I will do what I can to aid others in their worship.” The commandment is meant to lift, inspire, and renew—not just restrict. When genuinely observed, the Sabbath becomes not a burden but “the best refreshment for our souls.”
How do members of the Church determine what it means to “keep the Sabbath day holy” in practical terms? There is no exhaustive “do and don’t” list handed down from Salt Lake City for every conceivable situation. Instead, guidance is offered in the form of principles, and each individual or family must make informed, mindful decisions.
A few core activities characterize Latter-day Saint Sabbath observance:
Attending Church Meetings: Church members attend Sunday services, including partaking of the sacrament (communion), which serves as a central act of renewal and forgiveness.
Worship and Study: Members devote time to scripture study, prayer, and contemplation, seeking connection with God and spiritual nourishment.
Family and Service: Time is spent strengthening family bonds, reaching out to relatives, and serving others—often through home visits or ministering assignments.
Refraining from Commercial and Recreational Activities: Following prophetic counsel, Church members refrain from shopping, recreational activities such as swimming, hunting, and attending sporting events, as well as unnecessary work on Sundays.
Many of these practices reflect a desire not only to keep oneself focused on Holy things but to avoid creating demands that cause others to work or be distracted from worship. If you don’t want to contribute to that person breaking the Sabbath, then don’t be a part of the demand. This principle helps guide decisions about working, shopping, or seeking services on Sunday.
Preparation is key. Members are encouraged to plan and complete necessary chores, meals, and errands during the week, so that Sunday can be truly set aside for rest and spiritual activity.
Spencer W. Kimball 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, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, pp. 96-97.)
What about activities that seem to fall in a gray area, like exercise for health or quiet hobbies? Here, individuals are encouraged to evaluate motivations. Latter-day Saint teachings often cite Isaiah 58:13, which asks whether we “do [our] pleasure on [God’s] holy day” or honor Him. The key is whether the activity draws one closer to God or distracts from worship and the sacredness of the Sabbath. There is room for individual inspiration as one seeks to “honor the Lord” rather than merely keep rules.
Church leaders and members testify that honoring the Sabbath in both spirit and practice brings tangible blessings. Observing the Lord’s holy day is one of the most important things we can do. It is an essential step toward our eternal salvation. Those who make the commitment often find their lives blessed with greater peace, spiritual insight, closeness to God, and joy in ordinary and extraordinary ways. Families gather, testimonies grow, and the Lord’s presence is felt more deeply.
Some describe the feeling after attending sacrament meeting as “walking away as clean as when we were baptized, if we sincerely partook of the blessed bread and water, and are without any serious sins that would require priesthood help to resolve.” In this sense, Sunday is more than a day of rest: it’s a weekly rebirth and recommitment.
Of course, life does not always fit neatly into ideal patterns. Church members recognize that some must work on Sundays (such as medical professionals, emergency responders, or those with unavoidable obligations). In such cases, the attitude of the heart—devoting what time and energy one can to worship and service—remains the key. Even when travel or necessary work intervenes, members are encouraged to seek worship in whatever ways they can: attending services wherever possible, studying scripture, praying, and maintaining the Sabbath in spirit if not always in outward observance.
Keeping the Sabbath day holy while working can be a bit challenging, but it’s definitely possible with some thoughtful planning and intention. Here are a few ideas that might help:
Prioritize Worship: If your work schedule permits, try to attend church services regularly. If you can’t attend a meeting, consider setting aside time for personal worship, scripture study, or listening to a recorded service.
Prayer and Reflection: Begin and end your day with prayer, asking for guidance to keep the spirit of the Sabbath with you throughout your workday.
Small Acts of Service: Look for opportunities to serve others, even in small ways, while at work. This can help you maintain a Christlike attitude.
Limit Non-Essential Activities: Try to avoid engaging in activities that aren’t in harmony with the spirit of the Sabbath, even if you’re at work.
Share Your Faith: If appropriate, share your beliefs with coworkers. This can be a way to keep the Sabbath spirit alive and might open doors for meaningful conversations.
Plan Ahead: If possible, prepare meals and other necessities in advance so that your time outside of work can be more restful and focused on spiritual matters.
Remember, the key is to keep the spirit of the Sabbath in your heart, even if your circumstances require you to work. It’s about your intentions and efforts to honor the day in the best way you can. Keep striving, and the Lord will bless your efforts!
Modern life can put tremendous pressure on Sabbath observance, with work demands, youth activities, sports leagues, and pervasive entertainment. It can be tempting to see Sabbath commitment as restrictive or a loss of “fun.” But Church members are encouraged to look beyond temporary pleasure to “the eternal… closeness with the Lord that is eternally sweeter than a Sunday at the lake.” Once the blessings are tasted, many find that “the Sabbath is not a restriction; it is the best refreshment for our souls.”
As another Church guide poignantly summarized, “Proper Sabbath day observance helps us see God’s hand more dynamically across the pages of our lives and feel His love and presence more intimately every day of the week.”
Gramps
