Sabbath activity

[dahlia]

Is this going to be a problem for me ---

There is going to be farewell party for staff and faculty who are leaving. The party may well be held on a Sunday. We're the early shift this year, so I could go to Sacrament Meeting before the party, if that helps.

I've heard that children don't have birthday parties on the Sabbath, and I probably wouldn't plan a party of my own for that day, but these people are not only leaving our dept, but leaving town.

What would a born Mormon do? We are a small group and I really don't want everyone asking me why aren't I at the function. I'm starting to feel like this:

I Can't I'm Mormon T-Shirt | Spreadshirt | ID: 4965223

[Guest]

Where will it be held? I'd probably go if it was at someone's house, but not if it was somewhere that someone was being paid to wait on us.

[Dravin]

More appropriately phrased it's, "I won't... I'm Mormon."

There are a couple options that come to mind:

1) Say your farewells to the individuals leaving before the party. You may still be asked by bystanders why you weren't there, but the individuals leaving will know you weren't simply ignoring them.

2) Show up briefly to say goodbye to the individuals and leave early as opposed to staying for the whole thing.

3) You can of course just go.

Personally, I'd lean towards 1 or 2. Though as Eowyn points out the the exact nature of the gathering would be something to take into consideration.

Edited April 22, 2013 by Dravin

[Vort]

I would probably stop by to pay my regards and wish luck.

[Wingnut]

Is this going to be a problem for me ---

There is going to be farewell party for staff and faculty who are leaving. The party may well be held on a Sunday. We're the early shift this year, so I could go to Sacrament Meeting before the party, if that helps.

I've heard that children don't have birthday parties on the Sabbath, and I probably wouldn't plan a party of my own for that day, but these people are not only leaving our dept, but leaving town.

What would a born Mormon do?

That varies from person to person. If kids don't go to birthday parties on Sunday, that's typically a family decision. My husband and I haven't discussed it yet because we haven't come up to it, but I'm not opposed to letting my child choose for herself.

I'm starting to feel like this:

I Can't I'm Mormon T-Shirt | Spreadshirt | ID: 4965223

More appropriately phrased it's, "I won't... I'm Mormon."

I couldn't agree more.

[mnn727]

Not a 'born Mormon' but been one for 20 years now. I'd go.

Go to Sacrament meeting first and then go to the farewell party.

Sounds like a decent Sabbath activity, honoring friends that are moving away. I've been to a number of missionary farewells - always on a Sunday, along with a number of other get-togethers for members on a Sunday.

[Irishcolleen]

Some of my family are not devout Christians. They will occasionally plan celebrations on Sunday. We will go, even on Sunday, because it shows them that we love them and that they are important to us. We don't think they would listen to us talk about Jesus if they thought we didn't care enough to share important events with them.

Remember, Christ did things on the Sabbath that the Pharisees disapproved of when it resulted in blessing others and furthering His kingdom.

[applepansy]

We have birthday parties on Sunday, for family. We also have other parties on Sunday, for family.

I think that what the activity is for, as well as what will be happening at the activity should be considered. Just because something is on Sunday doesn't mean we automatically don't go. Anything that invites the Spirit or shows our love for others is appropriate.

I agree with Eowyn. I probably wouldn't stay if it was held at a public restaurant where people had to work on Sunday for the party to happen.

[dahlia]

It will be at someone's house. I'm grateful to see the range of responses, especially those who focused on honoring the people who are leaving. I've worked with them for 5 years and would really like to wish them well with the rest of my department.

[pam]

Personally I would go even if on a Sunday.

[mrmarklin]

Attend Sacrament and go to the party.

But don't have any fun.

[ElectofGod]

Christ picked corn on the Sabbath with his apostles and the Jews chastised them. Its all about the spirit of the law not "what we should and shouldn't do". Whats the intent.

First pray about it.

Second tell the lord I am going to support them. You can cut it short or also ask them if you can come a different day. But follow the spirit. It will tell you how to be an example of Christ to them. Thats the intent. If may tell you go, it may tell you reschedule, it may tell you don't go. Pray :)

Than see if the spirit confirms that decision that you have concluded on.

[Vort]

Christ picked corn on the Sabbath with his apostles and the Jews chastised them. Its all about the spirit of the law not "what we should and shouldn't do". Whats the intent.

This is something of an oversimplification of what happened.

The law of Moses was clear: You don't harvest grain on the Sabbath, because the Sabbath is a day of rest. Let your fields alone on that day.

Now, Jesus and his disciples were walking through a field of grain (called "corn" in early modern English). While they walked through the field, the disciples, hands at their sides, would casually grab a head of grain, strip it off while they walked, rub the kernels between their hands to loosen the husks, then blow off the chaff and eat the raw grain. I used to do the same thing when I worked on a wheat and barley farm.

The leaders of the Pharisees, always hypervigilant to what they thought the law said and blind to what it really meant, immediately criticized Jesus' disciples as Sabbath-breakers because, they reasoned, the disciples were "harvesting grain" on the Sabbath. Jesus probably did the Palestinian Jewish version of rolling his eyes before making the obvious remark: Slavish adherence to one's hyperliteral interpretation of the law of Moses was pointless. The Sabbath was a day for man to rest from his labors and approach God, not to worry about how to avoid walking wrongly, talking wrongly, or breathing wrongly.

The point being that the old saw about "the letter of the law versus the spirit" usually misses the point and says exactly the opposite of what it should say. The true spirit of the law is generally not more lax than the letter of the law, but more strict. The exception is when a bunch of Pharisaical types (such as the ancient rabbis) invent long interpretations of what this or that means, and then expect everyone to toe their line.

In my opinion, many or maybe even most Saints give too little thought about how to keep the Sabbath day holy. When they think about it (if they think about it at all), it's usually to try to decide whether they can get away with something -- watching a football game, going to a dance, throwing a party, watching a movie, something like that -- than how they can best celebrate the Sabbath in the way God intended.

Having said that, I have already offered my opinion on the matter at hand. I may be wrong, but that's how I feel about it.

[mrmarklin]

. We will go, even on Sunday, because it shows them that we love them and that they are important to us. .

This.:)

[ACommonMan]

Ultimately, it's you're choice and really only between you and the Lord. Of course, all rationalizations begin with good intentions, but my twice Bishop father always took the family out for dinner on Mother's Day so mom wouldn't have to cook. Clearly, that would be problematic on a regular basis and some may think it inappropriate for even a special occasion.

My best advice comes from a tangential comment about wearing the Holy Garment of the Priesthood. My Bishop at the time said, look for reasons/ways to wear it rather than looking for excuses not to. Looking at the event as a good enough excuse to party hard on the Sabbath is probably a sign you shouldn't go. If however, if it's possible to go and not lose sight of things of good report and praiseworthy, then it should fine.

[missmollymormon]

Personally, I would go- so long as it wasn't a full blown party. Sometimes the "spirit" of the sabbath day outweighs the general do's and don'ts. Our heavenly father set aside sabbath day to spend time with friends and loved ones- he knows that not all of our loved ones aren't all members of the church, yet to Him, and to us they are just as an important part of our life.

I deal with this struggle weekly, living in a house of 6 family members. Three of us are members and the other three are opposed to any form of religion. It's difficult to keep a balance. Sometimes on Sabbath day, I will watch a movie with my nonmember siblings (so long as they are wholesome movies) I do this to spend time with my siblings on Sabbath day in a way that they are willing to participate. Its a tough one, but these people are obviously important in your life and I know Heavenly father would want you to show your love and support for them.

It would also be a great opportunity to discuss Sabbath Day values with them. Let them know that you attended to show your love to them as fellow children of the Lord. Let them know that that is what Sabbath day is for. Just my thoughts :)

[dahlia]

I suspect there will be alcohol, but we are not a heavy drinking bunch - plus the location is a little out on the end of town. No one will want to go back on the road having drunk too much. Mostly we will do what faculty does (do?) - sit around and talk about stuff. I don't think it will get too wild. : )

It's interesting that Mother's Day was mentioned. Last year I mentioned going out (our custom) and an elder told me that was a no no. Well, there is no way on earth that I am going to cook on Mother's Day. Neither is my son going to cook. We are used to going out on Mother's Day and it is one of the few times that he picks up the bill. It would seem that even ordering delivery would be wrong, since it would cause someone to have to work on Sunday, so what's the option? What do people do?

I think I'm going to have to stand my ground on this one - it's one day out of the year. I enjoy it. I enjoy not having to cook. I dunno. Mother's Day was always a big deal when I was growing up, with lots of presents for my mother and a restaurant meal. I'd hate to have it reduced to eating sandwiches in front of the TV.

[Dravin]

It's interesting that Mother's Day was mentioned. Last year I mentioned going out (our custom) and an elder told me that was a no no. Well, there is no way on earth that I am going to cook on Mother's Day. Neither is my son going to cook. We are used to going out on Mother's Day and it is one of the few times that he picks up the bill. It would seem that even ordering delivery would be wrong, since it would cause someone to have to work on Sunday, so what's the option? What do people do?

A lot of men, and children, buck it up and do some cooking.

[mnn727]

Around here it's prime BBQ season, so..... a nice salad, a couple of steaks, maybe some roasted corn.. a restaurant just can't compare.

Have we ever gone out to eat on a Sunday since we converted? Yes, on special occasions but its the exception rather than the rule. Part (Much?)of the Gospel is about agency. You know the principles, now you decide to what degree you will follow them remembering that blessings come through obedience.

[BadWolf]

We go to DimSum.

The staff has Mon&Tues off.

The staff are old friends.

I tip. A lot. (And exchange a lot of hugs, seriously, old old friends work there).

Its Mothers Day, so its not like our lack of patronage would hurt them, but I know my friends... They would be hurt/offended we didn't come to their restaurant on MD. We've gone for 9:10 years. The 10th year they brought our favorites to the hospital (a 2 hour drive away).