Seminary
Lesson 127: Isaiah 58:13–14—“Call the Sabbath a Delight”
young women listening in Sunday School class

Isaiah 58–66: Lesson 127

Isaiah 58:13–14

“Call the Sabbath a Delight”

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

The Savior taught that the Sabbath was given to bless His people (see Mark 2:27). What blessings have you seen by honoring Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on the Sabbath day? In Isaiah, we learn that if we honor the Father and the Son on Their holy Sabbath, the day will be a blessing to us. This lesson can help you honor the Lord on the Sabbath day.

Study the Scriptures

cell phone showing low battery charge

In today’s world, a drained mobile phone or other electronic device battery is a common problem. But the solution is simple with a charging cord and power source. Just like a drained battery, we need to be connected to a spiritual power source consistently to renew ourselves spiritually.

doctrinal mastery iconIsaiah 58:13-14 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider tagging doctrinal mastery passages with the topic they teach so you can find them easily later. Memorize the reference and key scripture phrase, “Turn away … from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight.” Find or create three images to help you memorize this scripture phrase. Place the images somewhere you will see them often and repeat the scripture phrase each time you see them.

During the seventh creative period, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ rested from all Their labor. They blessed this day and established it as a time of sacred rest from earthly “work” (see Moses 3:3). Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have invited all of us to follow the pattern (see Exodus 20:8–10 and Deuteronomy 5:12–14). Through His prophet Isaiah, the Lord again commanded His people to dedicate the Sabbath day to Him.

mark iconRead Isaiah 58:13. Mark a phrase that you feel you could more fully live right now.

Think carefully about what it might look like to apply this phrase in your life. As you ponder, invite the Holy Ghost to help you have a greater understanding of things you can do.

note iconCreate a note next to verse 13 that includes what it might look like for you to apply this phrase in your life.

mark iconRead Isaiah 58:14. In a different color than you used for verse 13, mark words and phrases that help you understand some blessings the Lord has promised to those who honor Him on the Sabbath day. (Note: “high places” in verse 14 may refer to mountains, hills, strongholds, or holy places.)

President Russell M. Nelson shared the following about what helped him overcome an obstacle he faced when making decisions about how to honor Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on Sundays.

14:47
President Russell M. Nelson

The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the Sabbath. It is His day! Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep the Sabbath or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do so.

How do we hallow the Sabbath day?

… I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and don’ts. When I had to make a decision whether or not an activity was appropriate for the Sabbath, I simply asked myself, “What sign do I want to give to God?” That question made my choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear. (“The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2015, 130)

How might Isaiah 58:13–14 and President Nelson’s message help someone who is struggling with the obstacles you identified?

Review the following study options. Complete one or more. Then complete the “Now What?” section at the end of the lesson.

Option A

How did Jesus Christ honor Heavenly Father on the Sabbath?

a man being healed by Christ at the pool of Bethesda

tag iconJesus Christ honored Heavenly Father with His actions on the Sabbath. Choose two or more of the following passages to study. Look for actions the Savior performed on the Sabbath. Tag each passage as “Sabbath day.”

share iconWith a family member or friend, share what you are learning about the Sabbath day by discussing the following questions:

  • How were the people in these accounts blessed by the Savior’s service?

  • What are some ways we can follow the Savior’s example of ministering to others on the Sabbath day?

  • What has improved your ability to honor the Lord on the Sabbath? What blessings have you seen from your efforts?

Option B

How can honoring the Sabbath bless my life?

If available, watch “Upon My Holy Day—Honoring the Sabbath” (1:30). Look for what President Jeffrey R. Holland teaches about honoring the Sabbath day.

1:30

Choose one or more of the following resources to study. Look for blessings the Lord has promised to those who honor the Sabbath.

  1. Russell M. Nelson, “The Sabbath Is a Delight,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 129–32.

  2. Review the “Keep the Sabbath Day Holy” section in Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ [2023], 87–88.

  3. Topics and Questions, “Sabbath Day,” Gospel Library.

link iconLink the resource you studied to Isaiah 58:13–14.

Now What?

notebook iconTake a moment to ponder what you have learned and felt today about the invitation in Isaiah 58:13–14 to set aside personal desires and honor Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on the Sabbath. Invite the Holy Ghost to help you as you answer the following prompt in your notebook:

  • To honor Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ on the Sabbath, I will …

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you honor the Lord on the Sabbath day.

share iconShare one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

  • One thing you shared in your discussion with a family member or friend.

  • A blessing from honoring the Sabbath day that you found in the resource you studied.

  • Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

  • Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?