The Sabbath Is a Delight

The Sabbath Is a Delight
Russell M. Nelson
(link to talk)

(remember I am using the "language of faith" meaning I am wording the counsel and teaching "as if" I already believe or am already doing it. All bold type is my insertion.)

• I thank God for a prophet!
• I am changing because of what I hear and feel from conference
• I have examined my feelings about, and my behavior on, the Sabbath day
• The Sabbath really IS a delight for me because:
• I have faith in God
• I delight myself in the Lord and do not treat it as any other day
• it is a day for spiritual and physical renewal and healing; rest and relief from the demands of daily life
• I prepare my food with singleness of heart
• my fasting is perfect
• my joy is full 
• I am so thankful for the divine deliverance God continually brings me
• my heart is cheerful
• my countenance is cheerful
• the fullness of the earth is mine
• I rejoice as I learn and comprehend more through my study
• I love searching for and finding family members who have died and liberating them from spirit prison!
• I serve others, especially those who are not feeling well or are lonely or in need. Lifting their spirits lifts mine as well.
•  The Sabbath:
• was made for me (like a gift is made for me) and not me for the sabbath
• it is not for my amusement or daily labor or duty
• it is not for my own pleasure or for doing my own ways or speaking my own words
• it is not for my own, regular routine
• is a perpetual covenant, a constant reminder that the Lord will sanctify me
• is the Lord's day
• is part of a new covenant in these latter days, with a promise
• the fullness of the earth is mine
• is a tithe of my week. One day in seven is HIS. I consecrate my time to Him who lends me life each day.
• To keep and hallow the Sabbath day, I keep my promise to:
• partake of the sacrament in remembrance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. "taking" the Sacrament is renewing my covenant. When I "partake", I focus on REMEMBERING HIM
• covenant again, that I am willing to take upon me His holy name
• let my conduct and attitude be a sign between me and my Heavenly Father.
• I ask, "what sign do I want to give to God?" when I make choices this day
• pay my devotions to God
• attend church
• serve diligently in my calling
• strengthen family ties (giving my BEST efforts)
• by leading them to the temple to be endowed and sealed
• by doing family history
• by teaching them the gospel - repentance, faith in Christ, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost
• Our family gives highest priority to family prayer, fhe, gospel study and instruction and wholesome family activities. Other demands and activities do not displace these divinely-appointed duties
• We use wonderful resources to help make our family time more meaningful on any day of the week
• LDS.org
• Mormon.org
• Bible videos
• Mormon Channel
• Media Library
• Church Magazines
• No other work transcends my righteous, intentional parenting
• I learn and comprehend more as I teach the doctrine and laws of the gospel and all things that pertain to the kingdom of God
• My faith in the Sabbath deepens my love for God
• I am an example of the believer of the Sabbath among my family, neighbors, and friends in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, and purity.
• I am coming to Christ to be perfect in him
• I deny myself of all ungodliness and love God with all my might, mind and strength
• I am sanctified in Christ. God sanctified the earth on the seventh day; he sanctifies me on the seventh day as well. I rest from all the work which God created through me on the other six days.
  
  
  Gospel Challenge:
• Examine my feelings about and my behavior on the Sabbath Day
• Let the things I am learning actually change me
• Give the entire Sabbath Day back to the Lord 
• Delight in it! 
• Simplify food on Sunday 
• Be cheerful! 
• Do family history work 
• Seek out the ill or lonely  
• Ask “What sign do I want to give God?” when choosing activities 
•  Give my BEST efforts to strengthening my family 
• Use church resources  
• Live what I believe no matter who I’m with