
The Sabbath law is a day of rest and worship, observed by Jews and Christians, that recurs throughout the Old Testament. It is a day to perform good deeds and refrain from seeking selfish pleasure. The Sabbath is a day to do the Lord's will and to uphold a society in which no one is subject to unceasing labor. The Sabbath is more than a set of rules; it is a way of life, divorced from weekday life. The Sanhedrin legislated 39 categories of things that may not be handled on the Sabbath, including pebbles, stones, pencils, candles, and money. The Sabbath law is a ceremonial law, not a moral law, and it is rooted in creation and directed to the new creation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Day of observance | Saturday, the seventh day of the week |
| Changed to | Sunday, the first day of the week, after the resurrection of Christ |
| Purpose | To worship God, perform good deeds, and refrain from seeking selfish pleasure |
| Prohibited activities | Carrying or handling unnecessary objects, buying, selling, trading, and other commerce |
| Permitted activities | Rewarming already cooked food, using a safety pin for temporary fastening |
| Blessings | "Peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come," spiritual blessings, protection from worldly temptations |
| Biblical references | Exodus 20:8, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Genesis 2:2, Moses 3:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14, D&C 59:9,23, Jeremiah 17:20-27, D&C 59:16 |
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What You'll Learn

The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship
The Sabbath is observed as a day of rest, and certain activities are prohibited to allow for a break from the burdensome and unceasing labour that characterised life in Egypt. The Sabbath is meant to be a day when all business stops, and people are not meant to handle money or conduct any form of buying, selling, or trading.
The Sabbath is also a day of worship, and people gather in synagogues or temples to worship and learn together. It is a day to do the Lord's will and seek spiritual blessings. The Sabbath is seen as a symbol of the promise of entering into God's eternal rest in glory and is considered a distinguishing characteristic of God's chosen people.
The specific activities that are permitted or prohibited on the Sabbath can vary depending on the interpretation of the law. For example, rewarming already cooked food is permitted, but cooking is not. Similarly, washing or bleaching clothing is prohibited, but fastening something with a safety pin is allowed since it is only a temporary fastening.
Observing the Sabbath is seen as a way to protect oneself from the worldliness and temptations of the present day. It is a day to offer sacraments and seek spiritual refuge. The Sabbath is also viewed as a day of liberation, where slaves are set free, and all members of society are treated equally.
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It is a day to do good deeds and refrain from selfish pleasure
The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, rooted in creation and directed to the new creation. It is a day to do good deeds and refrain from selfish pleasure. This means that people should put away selfishness and curb their desires, instead focusing on worship and doing good.
Jesus himself showed that any activity meant to save the life of both man and animals are not a violation of the Sabbath. For example, he healed the sick and cast out evil spirits from demon-possessed individuals on the Sabbath day. When criticised for this, he asked his critics: "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" (Mark 3:4, NKJV).
The Sabbath is a day to do the Lord's will. God has commanded his people to "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). Observing the Sabbath can help people remain unspotted from worldly enticements. It is a day when all business stops, and people are called to treat their slaves in a similar manner, extending the liberation enjoyed collectively by the nation to all its members.
The Sabbath is a symbolic concentration of the meaning of the covenant formed with Israel at Sinai. It perpetuates the force and meaning of the Exodus in Israel’s continuing life, drawing their eyes back to that first deliverance and forward to its fuller realization that is still awaited.
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The Sabbath is a day when all business stops
The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, rooted in creation and directed to the new creation. It is a day to perform good deeds and refrain from seeking selfish pleasure. The Sabbath is observed as a day of special devotion to the service of the Lord, and all followers are expected to refrain from work and rest on this day.
The Sanhedrin legislated the categories of Muktza, which are things that may not be handled on the Sabbath. These include pebbles and stones, as well as items like pencils, candles, and money. The spirit of the law also forbids the transfer of ownership and all forms of commerce, making the Sabbath a day when all business stops. This prohibition against commerce is one of the few types of legislation recorded in the Bible, emphasizing its importance.
Observing the Sabbath is considered a law of God, and blessings are promised to those who keep this law. It is seen as a distinguishing characteristic of God's chosen people and is deeply rooted in the liberation of Israel from slavery. The Sabbath serves as a reminder of the Lord's intent for all in Israel to know Him as their liberating God, extending beyond the nation to the wider creation.
The Sabbath is more than just a set of rules; it represents a way of life that is divorced from weekday life. While the specific regulations and restrictions may seem complex, the actual practice of keeping the Sabbath is considered simple and rewarding. It is a day to focus on spiritual growth, worship, and performing good deeds in service to the Lord.
The Sabbath has evolved over time, with the change from Saturday to Sunday following the apostolic administration after Jesus Christ's ministry. Jesus himself compared the Sabbath to ceremonial laws, and his disciples were criticized for picking grain on the Sabbath. The early Christians also had to understand that some of God's laws were no longer required after Jesus Christ fulfilled their purpose.
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It is a day to prepare food with a singleness of heart
The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, a day to prepare food with a "singleness of heart". It is a day to put aside worldly concerns and focus on spiritual matters, to do good deeds and perform the Lord's will.
The act of preparing food with a "singleness of heart" on the Sabbath is a symbolic act, a way to express devotion to God and to show gratitude for His gift of rest. It is a day to forget about the worries and stresses of everyday life and to focus on what truly matters: our relationship with God and our loved ones.
The preparation of food on the Sabbath is also a practical matter, as those who observe the Sabbath refrain from cooking on this day. This means that food must be prepared in advance, and simple meals that can be easily reheated or served cold are often the norm. This act of preparing food ahead of time is a way to honour the Sabbath and to ensure that the day is truly a day of rest, free from the burdens of everyday tasks.
In addition, the Sabbath is a day to come together with others and share a meal, to foster community and connection. In the past, people would gather in synagogues or temples to worship and learn together, and food played an important role in these gatherings. Today, people may still gather in churches or other places of worship, and sharing a meal is often a central part of these gatherings, a way to nourish both the body and the soul.
The Sabbath is a day to step away from the busyness of everyday life and to focus on what truly matters. By preparing food with a "singleness of heart", we express our gratitude for God's gift of rest and our commitment to living a life that honours Him.
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The Sabbath is a day to gather and learn together
The Sabbath is a day of rest, worship, and learning. It is a day to gather in synagogues or temples to learn and worship together. Jesus often went to the synagogue or temple to teach on the Sabbath, and he also ministered to the needs of the people. He healed the sick and cast out evil spirits, which annoyed the Jewish religious leaders, who considered these acts as violations of the Sabbath. However, Jesus asked them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" (Mark 3:4, NKJV). He showed that any activity meant to save the life of both man and animals are not a violation of the Sabbath.
The Sabbath is a day to perform good deeds and do the Lord's will, refraining from seeking our own selfish pleasure (Isaiah 58:13-14). Blessings come to those who observe the Sabbath (D&C 59:9). Observing the Sabbath can help protect us from worldly temptations and keep us "unspotted from the world" (D&C 59:9). It is a day to put away selfishness and curb desire, offering a "broken heart and a contrite spirit" to the Lord (Psalm 51:17).
The Sabbath is also a day to gather with other believers and learn about God's word. It is a day to read the Bible and participate in Bible studies. It is a day to honor God's laws and enjoy the blessings that come from Sabbath observance. The Sabbath is a day of worship and rest, a symbol of the promise of entering into God's eternal rest in glory. It is a day to remember that God has set us free from slavery and given us his rest. The Sabbath is a day to uphold a society in which no one is subject to burdensome and unceasing labor.
The Sabbath is a day of liberation, a reminder of the Lord's intent that all people, regardless of social status, should know him as their liberating God. It is a day to treat others with grace and communicate that grace to others. The Sabbath is a day to remember the vulnerable members of our community and treat them with the same liberty and release that we have received from God. It is a day to extend God's grace to those around us and uphold a just society.
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Frequently asked questions
The Sabbath law is the fourth of the Ten Commandments, which states that one day a week should be kept holy and treated as a day of rest and worship. This day is Saturday, the seventh day of the week.
The Sabbath law teaches us about the importance of rest and worship. It is also a reminder of the liberation from slavery in Egypt, and God's promise of rest and worship in glory.
Observing the Sabbath is about more than just following a set of rules. It is about doing good deeds, performing the Lord's will, and refraining from seeking selfish pleasure. It is a day to "offer up thy sacraments".











































