Have a 'Happy Sabbath'!

I don't know how many of you get the Friend magazine each month, but we do, and we were happily surprised to find some changes and additions to the magazine for this year! One of those is the 'Happy Sabbath' section, no doubt stemming from the recent emphasis the Church has been putting on increasing our Sabbath day observance.

The 'Happy Sabbath' page is intended for children, but in truth, it could benefit all of us, because everyone can find another way to lift the Lord's day to a place closer to Him.

In this month's edition, the page has a question: Imagine you were going on a trip to meet a very important person. What would you do to get ready? 

Then it answers the question: You might get nice clothes to wear, learn more about who you were meeting, or mark the day on your calendar. 

Anything starting to sound familiar???

Yes! So, on Sunday, we aren't just going to worship our Father and Creator, we are going to MEET Him - sort of...like meeting him halfway. We bring our best and He sends His Spirit. Anyway, here's what the Friend says:

Heavenly Father has set aside one day a week to be a special day for us, called the Sabbath. For us, the Sabbath is on Sunday. It is a time when we can rest from work, worship Heavenly Father, and spend time with our families. We should get ready for Sunday just as we would get ready for any important day.

This is a short, profound reminder of what we should be doing to prepare for the Lord's Day! For additional inspiration, read Isaiah 58:13, Mark 2:27, and any or all of the additional references listed below President Russell M. Nelson's talk, The Sabbath is a Delight (and of course, the talk itself!). 

And please, have a happy and uplifting Sabbath! (I recommend listening to the new Press Forward youth songs for 2016--phenomenal!!!!!! link)

“Press Forward With a Steadfastness in Christ”

Just a few days ago, Church leaders announced the 2016 theme for Mutual! (Can you believe that it's time for that already?!?!) The full theme is 2 Nephi 31:20, which says, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." The shortened version of the theme is "Press Forward With a Steadfastness in Christ". 

I love this verse and it is perfect for the 2016 theme! With the recent legalization of gay marriage by the Supreme Court, plus all the other temptations and evil throughout the world, youth need to hear this message that Nephi wrote so long ago. 

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet on this earth, and I sustain him with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know that he and the other leaders of the Church were inspired to choose this theme after many hours of prayer, both in groups and personally. I know our leaders care for the youth of the Church and they want what is best for them--me!--and they share our Father's vision of what we can become--what our potential is.

So, remember what message our leaders are passing on from heaven to the youth for 2016:

"Keep moving. With Christ as your compass, with hope as your torch, with love in your heart, with scriptures in hand, endure to the end and you will have eternal life."

Let me know in the comments how you will "press forward in Christ"!

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