What Sabbath Day Signs Are You Giving to God?

Every Sunday, I find myself asking: What sign am I giving to God? The way we spend the Sabbath day speaks louder than we sometimes realize. It’s not just about checking boxes or avoiding certain activities. It’s about showing the Lord what really matters to us.

I know so many of us continue to ask, “What’s okay to do on the Sabbath day, and what’s not?” Is it fine to watch a movie? Can I go swimming? Should I run errands? We sometimes look for a clear list of do’s and don’ts, but the Lord’s prophets and apostles have taught that the Sabbath day is about more than rules. It’s about the spirit in which we keep it. That’s why President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel in his talk “The Sabbath Is a Delight” is so powerful. Instead of debating over activities, he invited us to ask a better question:

“What sign do I want to give to God?”

That one question changes everything. Suddenly, the focus shifts from restriction to relationship. The Sabbath becomes less about whether I can do something and more about whether my choices are showing the Lord my love, devotion, and willingness to put Him first.

What Prophets and Apostles Have Taught

• President Spencer W. Kimball once said: “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.”

• Elder Jeffrey R. Holland reminded us that the Sabbath day isn’t supposed to feel like a list of “don’ts.” Instead, it’s about remembering the Savior, partaking of the sacrament, and worshipping with joy.

• President Gordon B. Hinckley taught that “the Sabbath is a day to be different,” and that difference is what sets us apart as disciples of Christ.

But President Nelson’s inspired question has become a guiding principle in my life. It helps me move past gray areas and personal debates and instead focus on what the Sabbath is really about: love and loyalty to the Savior.

When I view the Sabbath day as a delight instead of a duty, it becomes something I look forward to all week. And honestly, some of my sweetest family memories come from quiet, simple Sundays where we worship, learn, and serve together.

10 Family Activities to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy

Here are some ideas to make the Sabbath day meaningful:

1. Study Come, Follow Me as a family.

2. Watch “The Chosen” or another Christ-centered show together.

3. Read one chapter from Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience.

4. Sing hymns or Primary songs as a family and talk about their messages.

5. Write in journals and share spiritual impressions.

6. Hold a family testimony meeting and invite everyone to share.

7. Play scripture trivia or other games together.

8. Write letters or messages to missionaries or loved ones.

9. Take a family walk in nature and talk about God’s creations.

10. Do a small service project—like making a treat for a neighbor or writing thank-you notes.

At the end of the day, the Sabbath day really is about signs. Every choice we make on Sunday reflects something about where our hearts are. President Nelson’s question, “What sign do I want to give to God?” pushes me to make the Sabbath more than just a checklist.

When I choose to worship, study, rest, and serve on the Sabbath day, I’m sending a message to the Lord: You matter most. My heart is Yours. And that, more than anything else, is why the Sabbath truly is a delight.