Replenishing our Shields

Let's talk video games.  In case you are not familiar with the game "Halo", I'll give you a quick overview on what you do.  The "Halo" video game involves special super soldiers nicknamed "Spartans" that are sent against a Alien nation bent on destroying all Humans.  This first person shooter game puts you right into the heat of the fight.  Now before I start advertising the game let me get to the point.

Your "Spartan" is protected by a simple shield (that isn't seen) that surrounds your Spartan.  This shield allows you to take huge amounts of small arms fire before your Spartan is no longer safe.  When the shield is depleted you must find protection, otherwise your Spartan will be killed in action.  Once the shield has been replenished, you are ready to go right into combat.  However just because you have a shield does not make your Spartan invincible.  Getting hit by vehicles, explosions, and certain melee weapons will kill your Spartan.

Now, let's face reality here.  You are living life day by day, week by week. It can get tiring at times and stressful.  Sometimes it seems like you are under intense fire, just like the Spartans in Halo.  How can you get "shields" for you regular life?  I find that weekly church attendance, and keeping the Sabbath day Holy, is a great way to give us a shield for the week. 

By Church attendance we allow the Holy Ghost to teach us the doctrine of God and strengthen us for the week.  Sabbath day worship has been a commandment of God since the dawn of time (Exodus 20:8-11).  God didn't command this just so we could be "enslaved".  He wants us to able to withstand our trials standing strong.  Church provides me, and others, a recharge for the week.  I don't feel as strong without it.  Another part of the the Sabbath day, is the partaking of the sacrament.  The Sacrament is a renewal of the covenants (promises) we made with God from baptism.  It is also a way of remembering the sacrifice the Savior made for us.

There are activities you should do on the Sabbath.  The "Strength of Youth" pamphlet says, "Many uplifting activities are appropriate for the Sabbath. Worship the Lord, attend church, spend quiet time with your family, study the gospel, write letters, write in your journal, do family history work, and visit the sick or home bound. Your dress before, during, and after church meetings should show respect for the Sabbath . . . Sunday is not a holiday or a day for recreation or athletic events. Do not seek entertainment or spend money on this day." 

Sunday is a day of rest, from the world.  But that doesn't give you the excuse to go ahead and play video games, watch the new popular movies or play sports.  Spending relaxing time with family, or visiting those who are ill are examples of activities we can and should do on the Sabbath.  This is our time to reconnect with the Lord (Mark 2:27).  Do anything contrary to that. It would be like staying exposed to enemy fire too long or going against an enemy ten times your size.

Just because you also got a recharge for the week, doesn't mean you can do what ever you want for the rest of the week.  You still have to keep the commandments and stay away from activities and places that would damage your shield.  Daily scripture study, praying, and keeping the commandments can help keep you "shield" where it needs to be everyday, but Church attendance makes it stronger (D&C 59: 8-11).  By doing these things you are able to withstand the trials of the week and come out stronger.

To see what the "Strength of Youth" pamphlet says about the Sabbath go to: http://www.lds.org/manual/for-the-strength-of-youth-fulfilling-our-duty-to-god/sabbath-day-observance?lang=eng