Lesson 16 - "Thou Shalt Offer Up Thy Sacraments on My Holy Day"

This week we will focus on section 59, but I don't think you can understand 59 without 57 & 58. After Joseph and a few Saints began to arrive in Zion in 1831, the Lord revealed what he expects of the Saints if they are to establish Zion. Church, commandments, and the sabbath day all have critical roles in establishing Zion.

Here is President Kimball's take on the Sabbath--he calls it a delight. Do we? Here Elder Holland (as President of BYU) importantly discusses Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments--still the best thing I've ever read on the commandment of chastity but also broadening our understanding of sacraments. Both talks attempt to give the why behind commandments. Why is always more powerful than just don't do it.

Newel Knight was called to lead the Colesville Saints. After leaving Thompson, Ohio they move to Kaw Township--just outside Independence, Missouri. Newel's mother, Polly (his father was Joseph Knight, Sr.), was very ill as they traveled to Missouri. For a time she was so sick that Newel bought lumber to build her coffin, but she wanted to make it through the journey and stand in Zion. She made it there and Joseph received Section 59 the ay of her funeral. Newel Knight's autobiography here talks about some of his initial experiences in Missouri. (And some interesting issues with his aunt. Skip down to the middle of chapter VI and chapter VII.)

Here Bill Hartley looks at this history of LDS church meetings in a great 1978 article. Though this was written before the current consolidated schedule became standard, it offers good context and a good historical outline. At the end of the article he writes about places that were testing early forms of consolidated church before the change occurred in 1980. This Ensign began with President Kimball's article and was entirely devoted to the Sabbath.

Luke gives us the account of Jesus and the Pharisees discussing healing on the sabbath day. Jesus asks the Pharisees "Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?" (Note the ox is not in a mire--it is a pit.) Expediency justifies such actions; I just have to ask myself...did I push the ox into the pit?