August 10, 2015

Y'all loved ones,

 

The heat is abundant in Texas. It's that time of year when you are never dry because of the mixture of humidity and sweat... I love it though. I have such a deep love for Texas and all the people here. I feel so humbled to have been able to be a part of these wonderful people's lives.

We visited with Charlie Houston a few times this week. He is such an incredible person! He gets along very well with all of the members here, and just loves the gospel. He already knows most of the doctrines and commandments, and is already living accordingly. He is getting baptized this Saturday!  It is so great to watch him get more and more excited as he gets more and more prepared.

Also, remember Jody and Tui? Well, they were in Salt Lake this past week visiting Tui's family, and on Saturday night they went to Temple Square.... Tui proposed!! They're engaged! Haha it is so amazing. I'm so happy for them. Jody got back to Texas early this morning and we are visiting with her this evening. She will be getting baptized really soon as well....

I really appreciate all of the comments y'all gave about how to best share our testimonies with out families. I am grateful that each of you have testimonies which have strengthened me at many times during my life. The influence a faithful person can have on all others around is much more than they might think. 

For The Strength Of Youth

Section: Sabbath Day Observance

-How can I more fully keep the Sabbath day holy?

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy... The Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (Exodus 20:8,11)

We hear interesting language in this commandment, "keep it holy". What does that mean?

Well, as we read, "the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it", 'Hallowed' means to consecrate or sanctify (set apart, make holy). 

So, the Lord sanctified the Sabbath. He consecrated it. He blessed it. He made it. The Sabbath was and is made holy by our Lord. We aren't commanded to make anything holy, or to create holiness, we are simply commanded to keep it holy.

How do we keep it holy?

"Holy" means to be 'dedicated to God'.

The commandment is to keep the Sabbath day dedicated to God. I wonder how many of us can honestly say that our Sabbath days are fully dedicated to God?

I'll say this much.. The Lord did not sanctify the Sabbath for the purpose of watching mind-numbing TV shows and eating the whole bag of Doritos. He did not consecrate that special day for us to watch as many YouTube videos as we possibly can, and level up on Guitar Hero. He did not bless that sacred day so that we can have more time to go shopping, or break our previous record for eating ice cream.

Verse 9 in Exodus 20 states, "Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work". The significant phrase in the verse is "all thy work". It's true, we do all of our work during the week, SO THAT we can have the Sabbath wholly 'dedicated to God'. It's a day of rest from our labors, not simply a day of rest from everything. 

Now, don't get nervous. That doesn't mean that He expects us to always be sprinting around doing service to others. He doesn't want us to completely disregard our health, or needs. I'm just trying to help us all see clearly what the Sabbath Day is all about.

Sometimes, the greatest way we can dedicate the Sabbath to God is by spending time with our loved ones, and strengthening those relationships. 

The Lord made the Sabbath day holy, and we don't have the right to make it unholy. But, we have the privilege to help keep it holy

I am grateful for the joy that I have received! I am grateful for the gospel which helps me to see all things with clarity.

I have full reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving truths.

Love, Elder Giles