For our time, keeping the Sabbath Day holy is a very subjective thing; but for Moses and the Israelites the commandment was a little more serious (okay a lot more serious)...
EXODUS 31-15
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.Rest, take a load off, relax, smell the roses, look at the beauty of the sky and earth and enjoy the companionship of your loved ones, worship together, break bread together, sing joyful and uplifting songs with each other, smile, be happy, rejoice, or be put to death!
Now, obviously, things have become a touch less serious in regards to this commandment and it, like the Passover, took on a different weight as introduced by the ministry of Jesus (discuss that later). These days there are many suggestions for what should and shouldn't be done on the Sabbath; some believe in strict obedience and have rules in place to enforce the observance of the day, others are much more lenient and emphasis merely church and family togetherness. I have seen many different levels of Sabbath day observance and can't say that what works for my family would work for others, again, it is a subjective thing.
My wife and I came from different family observances and it took some time for us to meld into what we felt was appropriate but I think we have a solid system now (though it does need some work). I truly believe some of my happiest moments have been sitting around with family, snuggled on the couch, a fire blazing in the stove, watching a show (we could certainly choose more appropriate material to watch on Sunday but we are together: laughing, jumping, crying, and enjoying something as a unit). Others have joined us on Sundays and that is okay too, as long as we are together. We just need to work on our attendance of meetings (punctuality especially, my bad influence not Angela's).
Like I said, there are a myriad of opinions in this area and I have sifted through many trying to find a talk that really connected with me, how I feel, and how I understand and try to observe the Sabbath. My search culminated in a fantastic talk from James E. Faust, entitled The Lord's Day (Saturday afternoon session, October General Conference 1991). Here are some excerpts from that talk...
In biblical times this commandment to rest and worship was so strict that a violation of it called for the death penalty. (See Ex. 31:15.) Even the earth was given a sabbath rest: "But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard." (Lev. 25:4.)
...Jesus reaffirmed the importance of the Sabbath day devotion, but he introduced a new spirit into this part of worship. (See Matt. 24:20.) Rather than observe the endless technicalities and prohibitions concerning what should and should not be done on the Lord's day, he affirmed that it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath. (See Matt. 12:12.) He taught us that "the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day" (Matt. 12:8) and introduced the principle that "the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27). He performed good deeds on the Sabbath, such as healing the man with palsy (see Mark 2:1-12) as well as the man with the paralyzed hand (see Matt. 12:10-13). So the divine mandate of Sabbath day observance in our day is now more of a manifestation of individual devotion and commitment rather than a requirement of civil law.
... 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 Ex. 31:16.)
... Where is the line as to what is acceptable and unacceptable on the Sabbath? Within the guidelines, each of us must answer this question for ourselves. While these guidelines are contained in the scriptures and in the words of the modern prophets, they must also be written in our hearts and governed by our conscience. Brigham Young said of the faithful, "The spirit of their religion leaks out of their hearts." (Journal of Discourses, 15:83.) It is quite unlikely that there will be any serious violation of Sabbath worship if we come humbly before the Lord and offer him all our heart, our soul, and our mind. (See Matt. 22:37.)
What is worthy or unworthy on the Sabbath day will have to be judged by each of us by trying to be honest with the Lord. On the Sabbath day we should do what we have to do and what we ought to do in an attitude of worshipfulness and then limit our other activities. I wish to testify unequivocally concerning the blessings of Sabbath day worship in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.The key point comes in the last paragraph...
"We should do what we have to do and what we ought to do in an attitude of worshipfulness and then limit our other activities."I know the "attitude of worshipfulness" is lacking in my home and we need to work on that; but, we do try and limit our activities, attend church (especially to partake of the sacrament), avoid work as much as possible, and more than all else, we make every effort to be together.
~Kipling
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