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Gramps,

Here is my question. I have heard many people say that sacrament is the only commanded meeting. This is why they do not have to attend Sunday School or priesthood/relief society, or HFPE for that matter. Where has this saying come from? I know that in the temple recommend interview I am asked if I attend all my meetings. If sacrament were the only commanded meeting, then why would I not be asked about that one meeting only? I feel that this saying is a corruption of someone’s quote. Please help me to understand where this comes from and what I could say when I am confronted with this logic.

Marcy Barr

 

Answer

Dear Marcy,

That saying is probably a takeoff from this scripture, D&C 59:9-10,

9 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;

10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High.

So, if that scripture doesn’t mention other meetings, does that mean that attendance at other meetings are not also commandments?

What about D&C 68:29?

And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

Now that is a direct commandment from the Lord. Explain to me how you can keep the Sabbath Day holy and skip out on all the church meetings except Sacrament meeting? If one lives by the letter of the law, he might try to find a loop hole that would allow him to violate the commandments with impunity. But if one had the spirit of the gospel he would follow the counsel given in D&C 58:26-29,

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

 

Gramps

 

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