Elder James E. Faust of the First Presidency said in October 1991:
“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. I would counsel all students, if they can, to arrange their schedules so that they do not study on the Sabbath. If students and other seekers after truth will do this, their minds will be quickened and the infinite Spirit will lead them to the verities they wish to learn. This is because God has hallowed his day and blessed it as a perpetual covenant of faithfulness.” see Exodus 31:16 To listen to or read talk click ‘The Lord’s Day‘
As noted in Elder Faust’s talk on the Lord’s Day, we not only abstain from — ‘life as in any other day of the week’, but live the day in a more focused, special way to Him. Following this renewed stronger re-emphasis now, after another 25 years, can bring nothing but greater blessings into my life. I certainly need ALL the blessings the Lord has in mind for the faithful because of the increasingly brutal world I live in.
I recall as a student of Power Engineering in Alberta in the mid 80’s; like many others, terrified at the sort of examinations we would undergo with each phase of our training – with good reason. The discipline I studied could draw from too many areas needing mastery. One particular time comes back to me when I prepared in the normal way, gladly abstaining from study on the Sabbath day. I made best use of my time to study on other days of the preceding weeks/months and then I sat down to a 3 hour exam. Many, including myself had failed one or more times, needing much more preparation. We were given 6 questions and it would take every minute of the 3 hours to answer four of them (this in the days preceding computers and word processors, everything including diagrams hand written). On this occasion, I was prepared to answer one question and part of another and had a very vague idea for the rest… so prayerfully I sought the Lord’s help. Answering what I could first, I proceeded forward to what I didn’t know. Then thoughts, ideas, instruction came… correctly ordered as the Lord taught me step by step until the end result for each question was perfect, more so than I would normally have worded or worked it. (and when He teaches, I don’t easily forget!) This is a simple example discovered by many who keep their life and the Sabbath in order. The Lord knows all the right answers, and will often make up the difference for the faithful, teaching in a way they will never forget. kdm
