| Vol 1 Issue 16
The Gospel Doctrine Class
April 29, 2001
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Lesson 14 Lesson 15 Lesson 16 Lesson 17 Visitors:
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Jackson County, Missouri:
On August 7 (1831), the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation
from the Lord reaffirming the fourth commandment handed down from the Lord
to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In part, the revelation reads: "And
that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou
shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy
day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors,
and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High.... And on this day thou
shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness
of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy
joy may be full."  President Spencer W. Kimball has reminded us of those things which are appropriate Sabbath day activities: "The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things. Abstinence from work and recreation is important, but insufficient. The Sabbath calls for constructive thoughts and acts, and if one merely lounges about doing nothing on the Sabbath, he is breaking it. To observe it, one will be on his knees in prayer, preparing lessons, studying the gospel, meditating, visiting the ill and distressed, writing letters to missionaries, taking a nap, reading wholesome material, and attending all the meetings of that day at which he is expected." |
Chronicles Part XIV  Parley continues his story: "After sitting awhile by the fire in charge of the officer, I re- quested to step out. I walked out into the public square accompanied by him. Said I, 'Mr. Peabody, are you good at a race?' 'No,' said he, 'but my big bull dog is, and he has been trained to assist me in my office these several years; he will take any man down at my bidding.' 'Well, Mr. Peabody, you compelled me to go a mile, I have gone with you two miles. You have given me an opportunity to preach, sing, and have also entertained me with lodging and breakfast. I must now go on my journey; if you are good at a race you can accompany me. I thank you for all your kindness—good day, sir.' "I then started on my jour- ney, while he stood amazed and not able to step one foot before the other. Seeing this, I halted, turned to him and again invited him to a race. He still stood amazed. I then renewed my |
exertions, and soon increased
my speed to something like that of a deer. He did not awake from his astonishment
sufficiently to start in pursuit till I had gained, perhaps, two hundred
yards. I had already leaped a fence, and was making my way through a field
to the forest on the right of the road. He now came hallooing after me,
and shouting to his dog to seize me. The dog, being one of the largest
I ever saw, came close on my footsteps with all his fury; the officer behind
still in pursuit, clapping his hands and hallooing, 'stu-boy, stu-boy —take
him—watch—lay hold of him, I say—down with him,' and pointing his finger
in the direction I was running. The dog was fast overtaking me, and in
the act of leaping upon me, when, quick as lightning, the thought struck
me, to assist the officer, in sending the dog with all fury to the forest
a little distance before me. I pointed my finger in that direction, clapped
my hands, and shouted in imitation of the officer. The dog hastened past
me with redoubled speed towards the forest; being urged by the officer
and myself, and both of us running in the same direction. "Gaining the forest, I soon lost sight of the officer and dog, and have not seen them since." To be continued. (Excerpts from the Auto- biography of Parley P. Pratt) |
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