Deseret News | LDS youths working on Sabbath

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LDS youths working on Sabbath

oldman | 7:24 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

Oh no!!!!

Stand Firm youth/parents of Zion | 7:26 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

Some may think it is living the letter of the law not to work on Sunday, but we are promised if we keep the Sabbath Day Holy we will be abundantly blessed.

My daughter is a college student; she has had to make the decision not to work or study on the Sabbath. She has been blessed beyond measure with all A's and one B+. She doesn't have an easy class load either; her schedule is hectic with 18 credit hours and she is 17 years of age.

As parents, we need to not only encourage our youth not to work on the Sabbath but we need to be the EXAMPLE of not doing so either.

I attended,in the Tabernacle a Regional conference several years ago. President Hinckley as the concluding speaker said, "Now remember it is the Sabbath Day. When you leave here don't stop and eat out and when you arrive home and if there is no food in the refrigerator... CONSIDER IT A FAST DAY"....

If we all would STOP going to stores etc... No one one would open their doors for business...

Ehor Boyanowski | 7:55 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I have often wondered why the church publishes the Deseret News on Sunday. How many church members spend part of their Sabbath doing totally non-essential work related to production and distribution of the Sunday paper? It appears that breaking the Sabbath starts right at the top offices of the church. Somewhat hypocritical?

Comments continue below

Marilyn | 9:27 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

When my son started work after grad, he got a job at a fast food place. He told the owners that there were only two times he couldn't work: Wednesday night (mutual) and Sunday morning before noon. Another worker spent her Sunday with her grandparents and couldn't be available on Sunday evening. We thought we'd have no problem. But guess when he was scheduled.He quit. I knew the school district was looking for noon-duty supervisors. They pay minimum wage and only 1.5 hours a day, but it was M-F. After a couple of months of good service, he approached the district to see if there was anything else available. They were always looking for spec ed sub Aide. He is now a full-time SE aide working in a high school. My daughter talked with the school and found a job working for the county library system as a student aide. It paid over $11 an hour and never required Sunday work. It paid for her first year of college.

Oh Ehor | 9:38 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I don't see the church condemning anyone for working on the sabbath, unless there was something in the article you saw that I didn't. The church has always been careful on this subject. Some jobs have to be done on the sabbath. (Cameramen at General Conference). If the church were as critical as your comment is, that would be something to talk about. Your point is pointless....

karl | 9:49 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

keeping the sabbath day Holy is a commandment. The Lord's Commandment. The question is: Do you want to obey the Lord's commandment. I DO. I made a covenant to obey his commandments. I love my Lord, and savior. I know he lives. He's blessed very generously.

Leo | 9:50 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

What a fine team! Utah played well and hard. I'm a BYU fan, but what's good for them UTES is good for all of us. "Thanks, Utes, for making us proud."

Matt | 10:51 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I have to feed my family and yes I have been critizised. Some of you here are very judgemental. I guess since you are so rich and have it all you are much more blessed?

Don | 11:04 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

Matt,

Nobody condemned you. They simply reiterated the commandment. If you have to work, and you're fine with that, then it's simply a matter between you and the Lord.

I'm quite sure the Lord understands special circumstances but I'm also quite certain that too often, all of us (myself included), rationalize and make excuses as to why we do what we do. In the end, we won't be able to hide anything.

JohnB | 11:06 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

It's funny how mormons will fall in love with celebrities or sports stars that are mormons even though they work on Sunday or operate businesses. i.e., Steve Young, Shawn Bradley, Johnny Miller, Larry H. Miller. But when it comes to anyone else or someone not as prominent, then it becomes unholy or they are beneath those who do choose to keep it holy. Remember, the LDS or LDS businesses operate on Sunday. i.e. Deseret News or KSL. And don't give me they have to. No one has to do anything. If it goes against your beliefs suck it up and don't do it or divest in any organization that goes against it. I know your answer. Hospitals/Police. Save it. They are a little different than playing football or delivering the news.

I have news for you | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

The Sabbath is from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Every one of you break the Sabbath.

BYU Fan | 11:27 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009

The displayed here is the reason mormons are not liked. Also, this arrogance is the reason many will not even entertain the idea of having the discussions in their homes.

No name | 1:05 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I will share my story. a year and a half ago my father lost his job because of the recesion. We didn't have enough money to pay the bills. We didn't have money for school cloths and expenses. I had to get a job to help out the family. The only job I could find was work on Sunday and during the evenings. I couldn't attend Church or young womens activities. people in the ward started gossiping about me being a lesbian and involved with alcohol! Based on rumors I was called in by my seminary teacher and then the bishop! I couldn't believe it! I sat there being "tactfully" accused for over an hour each time. I told them the truth, but they still didn't believe me. my freinds from church stopped texting me. everybody treated me like a lepor. when i didn't have to work i attended church and yw, but everybody was all tense and cold. It has really made me think again about the Church if people act like that. they are taught to only be with good friends and they think Iï¿½m not a good person. They believe lies and gossip.

Kevin | 1:06 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

The problem with this issue is that certain members of the church make judgments about working on Sunday's. The Missionary Training Center in Provo hires BYU students to work on Sundays in the cafeteria. Are they breaking the Sabbath? The church asks that we try to avoid working on the Sabbath but there are times when we must work and positions that must be filled on the Sabbath (firefighters, police officers, medical, pharmacies, etc.) We need to educate all people not to judge others and do what they need to themselves to keep the Sabbath holy.

Anonymous | 2:13 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

It's because you live in Utah that you get treating like a lepor for working on Sunday... if you live in the real world things are different.

Tired of this | 3:41 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I work because I have to. I miss meetings but I take care of my family. I take care of my family because that is my responcibilty. If you have an issue with that you take it up with the Lord. I am sorry I am not so privlaged as some of you but I do what I can and my family is thankful. For the rest of you good luck I am tired of your judging and unreasonable expectations.

Shelly Girl | 5:26 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

Does anyone remember the story of the old man, the donkey and the little boy? When the old man was riding the donkey and the boy was walking, everyone scorned the old man for not helping the little boy. When the little boy was riding and the old man was walking, everyone scorned the little boy for not respecting his elders. There is no right answer. God said the Sabbath was made for Man, not Man for the Sabbath. If 90% of the time you get it right, that's ok. If 90% of the time you get it wrong, well, you have 10% of it right, keep trying.

Anonymous | 5:41 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I have had jobs which require me to work on Sunday for several years; yet, I feel that I am also doing my part to keep the Sabbath Day holy. I don't go out for lunch, I am careful what i listen to on the radio, I write to my missionary child, etc. I have an employee whose bishop is not so understanding--she too must work on Sunday and misses church yet the bishop has chosen not to provide assistance because she doesn't attend church--if she did attend church she'd lose her job for attendance issues. I am fortunate enough to be able to use vacation time once a month to attend my meetings and fulfill my calling. Sometimes, it's how we approach what we do. THe church has given guidance but doesn't condemn, it's the members who do that.

For what it's worth | 8:52 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

In some Baptist-run areas in the South, you are also treated like a leper if you work on Sunday.

Double standard | 9:01 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I worked every Sunday when I was in the military. Why is it accepted behavior to allow some people to work on Sunday and castigate others who do? Isnï¿½t channel 5 owned by the church? It is operating all the time on Sunday. Why donï¿½t they shut down operations on Sunday and allow the people who work at the station to go home and attend church and be with their families? Keeping the station open really is nonessential for our well-being. Well, perhaps the other channels would pull some viewers away. Itï¿½s called competition and we donï¿½t want to give any one an edge. Thank God emergency workers and people that work in hospitals are willing to do so on Sunday. God bless them. I agree; keep the Sabbath Day holy and work if you must.

Judy | 9:21 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

This like so many other topics concerning the church are between the individual person and the Lord. Only the Lord knows the individual circumstances.

Article Redirect | 9:49 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

I find it annoying that to read the full article I had to be redirected first to Mormon Times website then to the LDS Church News website. Why can't I just read the whole article at the Deseret News? If this isn't possible for some reason I'm not aware of then at least redirect me directly to the source LDS Church News.

Catholic | 11:35 p.m. Jan. 3, 2009

This was an interesting topic and some of the comments have been down right judgemental. May I make a suggestion, as an "outsider"? Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation when all devout Catholics are required to attend Mass. As an accomodation, Mass is offered up on Saturday evening. This is called the "Vigil Mass". This fulfills the obligation for Sunday. If LDS members who must work on Sunday had a service available on Saturday evening I would bet you it would be a very crowded place. No more gossip, no more guilt. These are perilous times and we all should be more open and accomodating to those striving to do the right thing.

ramper | 5:22 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I had the pleasure of talking to one of the General Authorities while he was waiting to take a flight back to SLC from PHL. I was working ground ops for that flight. It was on a Sunday.
Those who want to judge others for working on the Sabbath may want to define what is exactly the meaning of "keeping Holy". If you have a choice about working that day, than that is great for you. Many do not. Does Marriott close his hotels that day?

missing out | 12:24 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Because of the way our society is structured, it's pretty much a given that even those of us who desire to observe the sabbath are going to have to occasionally work on Sunday. No one should be judged or condemned for working on Sunday (I would bet that the "condemnation and gossip" referred to in the above comments is often more in the mind of the offended person.) That being said, when I have had to work on Sunday, I've definitely felt that I'm missing out spiritually.

Law School | 12:51 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

When I was attending law school in Salem, OR, there was a lot of pressure, both internally and externally, to study on Sunday. Every minute of every day was precious to prepare myself to pass the bar exam. A lot of money and time came down to that two day exam. I avoided studying on Sunday and I know I was blessed during the exam.

Sports/Broadcasters | 2:33 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

In a past Fireside address, which will show several more times THIS MONTH on the BYU TV channel entitled "Latter Day Legends", Steve Young says that when he was with the 49ers as Quarterback, he and other LDS team members would hold their
"own" short Sacrament Meeting on the Saturday evening before their Sunday ballgames. Steve said
that they got permission from their Church leaders to do this.

We do live in a 24/7 World and sometimes Accomodation is Necessary. As "Catholic" @ 11:35 said, this would take care of those whose Sunday schedules makes "normal" Church meeting times very difficult to attend. If this DID happen, the meeting might just be crowded as "Catholic" mentioned.

At least the weekly commitment of the Sacrament
could be achieved. If each LDS Stake had just one such gathering, it might just boost Church activity levels for a number who are "left behind" because of work loads. I'm thinking mostly of those in Health Care, like the RN's and others.

Until I personally became a Broadcaster, I used to go to Church almost 100%. Since then with News,
Music programming, and Sports happening on the weekends, my attendance dropped off considerably.

island park | 4:51 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

because of all the youth workers and travel schedule to island park and west yellowstone, the island park ward has 3 services. First service is at 9:00am for the normal ward all 3 meetings, another sacrament meeting at 1:00, and another one at 9:00pm for all the youth that work in cafe, gas stations, fishing stuff, ect... I thought that was neat. We went to the 1:00 meeting and there were close to 900 people.

Jon B. Holbrook | 3:52 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Employers should be more accomodating to those individuals who want to observe the Sabbath. Also, the employee can possibly exchange his shift with some one who observes a different Sabbath, like Jews, Muslims or Seventh Day Adventists.
Also, if an employee requests the Sabbath off for reiligious purposes, he needs to be honest about it. Don't request the Sabbath off and then go skiing for example.

JJ | 10:06 p.m. Jan. 19, 2009

hey i love this story

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