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I like the banter. You should keep that up
About keeping the Sabbath day holy, like so many other elements of our faith, it seems that this one is introspective. We have the commandment and then all the laws that were set forth to help the ancient Israelites remember the commandment, which were taken way too far by the Pharisees who it seemed like to add to the misery of everyone in the name of righteousness. Today, I believe that most bishops allow the person to consider their own level of devotion instead of calling them out from the pulpit.
The Saviour responded to the Pharisees when questioned on the matter of the Sabbath in Luke 14:5 “And answered them, saying, 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?”
So the real question is when is you ass or ox in the pit? Or as I’ve heard it all my life when is your ox in the mire?
Certainly this can apply to professions where duty calls upon us on Sundays such as doctors, nurses, military, police, etc. Other situations I find no problem with are those that find their work dictates action on a Sunday. Sometimes, because we live in the world and would like to be secure, we find it necessary to work the occasional Sabbath rather than loss our job.
I was always taught to do all you can do the rest of the week so that you are not compelled on the Sabbath and in that way do not push your ox into the mire all week long.
As for other non-essential things that come up, I believe the Sabbath was meant to be a day dedicated to the Lord for his work. So I always ask “Would I find the Saviour doing this on the Sabbath?” and honestly reflect upon it. Unfortunately in my home that means that my husband and I disagree. A music concert on a Sunday to me is totally appropriate as long as we are doing uplifting music (which usually takes place in a nursing home or similar since my kids are young) while my husband feels somewhat differently. Where do you draw the line? What about the commitment to an activity?
You can and should carefully consider what you need to do on a Sunday. My mother recently started to consider carefully the meals she prepares for the big family dinner. She felt like it was just a lot of work sometimes and did not follow the “singleness of heart” that we are advised to have in D&C 59:13. So she began to prepare meals that could mostly be preped the day before. Observance comes down to you, your study and understanding of what God wants from you and your willingness to obey.
As for Mitt Romney campaigning on Sundays, I think you might be able to call that an ox in the mire situation. He might need to participate in such activities in order to secure his goal which I think God would find worthy. But again, it would Bro. Mitt’s call and none else’s.
I want to start this comment by saying that I like this podcast. I like it. I just don’t love it. I think one of the problems of this podcast is that all of the main personalities are too similar. Richie, Rob, Brittney, Ashley, Brother Kyle and the others are all on the liberal side of Mormonism. All of the hosts seem to have similar views on the sabbath observance (meh, whatever feels good), homosexuality (pro), Utah Mormons (against), movies (except for Richie, who doesn’t watch the Rated-R ones), church attendance (when you can) etc. Rarely, if ever, do I hear a strong conservative Mormon point of view on the podcast.
I’m not saying there needs to be conflict, I’m just saying that the podcast feels kind of bland when everyone agrees with everyone else, or no one wants to ruffle any feathers by offering a conservative counterpoint and starting an actual discussion.
Differing opinions are the spice of life and they make good radio programs, television shows, movies and podcasts. It just makes things more interesting.
You guys hit on the liberal side so much (with inactive members, non-members, ex-members, etc.) that you neglect the conservative side. I truly think this podcast would benefit from having a conservative host/guest/point of view more often. It’s time to invite some of the people on the front row of the chapel to chat with those on the back row of The Cultural Hall.
Modesty, it’s great, just needs to be taught differently.