News Release

"Keep the Sabbath Day Holy"

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Uganda have been reminded to honor the Sabbath and to keep it holy.

This message was echoed by Elder Tasara Makasi, a visiting leader of the Church, during a conference held in Kololo on the weekend of 23-24 January 2016.

Elder Makasi told the saints that keeping this commandment would increase thier faith in Jesus Christ and make it easier for them to keep the other commandments. He counseled, as taught to Moses, "Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is a special sign between God and his people."

He also urged members to be careful about what they feed into their minds. He warned them not to rely on popular opinion and social media to determine God's standard, but search for the truth from God through reading the scriptures, praying and following counsel of the prophets.

Speaking about the Saviour Jesus Christ, Elder Makasi said, "Members need to utilize the Atonement of the Saviour to give them strength and hope during these troubled times." He urged them to be of service to one another. He said it is only by relying on Jesus Christ that they can overcome weaknesses, manage disappointments, and feelings of loneliness and inequalities. He reminded the saints that the Saviour lives and does love them.

Also speaking at the conference was Jimmy Carter Okot, President of the Nairobi Stake (diocese). He taught that, as recently stated by the Prophet of the Church, "Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is an answer to the world’s problems." He asked the saints to always prepare for and keep the Sabbath Day as a family.

President Okot cautioned the congregation not to do any work on the Sabbath because it is a hallowed day of God and they should be concerned on this day about only spiritual things. He said church members should be willing to follow the commandments of God if they are to expect blessings from  Heavenly Father. He shared, "God will give the saints ways and means to succeed in this life."

Robert Chatfeld, President of the Uganda Kampala Mission of the Church, urged those in attendance  to strive to become self reliant. He said this would take faith, which always precedes the miracle. He continued, "It is the responsibility of everyone who has had the priviledge of hearing the gospel to share it with others so that they too can become christlike."

Catherine Devey Chatfield, wife to the Mission President, addressed the congregation, saying, "The culture of the Church is service." She taught that is is the people who are the hands of Jesus Christ and that if they did something good for others, then they are doing it on behalf of Jesus Christ. "No matter what age you are, there is always an opportunity for service," Sister Chatfield said.

Many other messages were shared during the two day event. Latter-day Saints were asked to start their preparations for the Sabbath on Saturday, so they could have a more spiritual experience on Sundays.

Families were also asked to prepare for and take on all religious ordinances that can help them stay together even as families after this life. They were also counseled that every single day they live on earth is a gift from God and a time to live worthily so that they can qualifiy to live again with their Heavenly Father after this life.

Conferences like this one held in Kampala are held twice each year, and are referred to as "Stake Conference." 

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