Is the Mormon Sabbath Saturday or Sunday?
The members of the Mormon Church also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints celebrate Sunday in memorial of Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week.
They think the first day should be kept holy because the apostles met on the first day of the week.
We are convinced that our friends at the Mormon Church are sincere and God-loving people, and they practice their faith as they know best.
In this post, however, we will analyze what the Bible says about the Sabbath. Is it Sunday or Saturday?
Let’s open together the Word of God and see what it has to say about the Sabbath.
Mormon Sabbath Day Rules
The faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do their best in keeping the Sabbath holy either at home with family or at Church.
They go to Church together where they are in fellowship with other believers and friends. They rest from labour work as the commandment says, and they do not do any work on this holy day.
They also pay devotions on this day, they are offering up oblations, confessing sins, praying and fasting.
At Church, they participate in ceremonies, and at home, they organize various interesting activities that will help them learn the Gospel, strengthen their faith, and their family relationships, and more.
What is the true Sabbath day Saturday or Sunday?
While we do respect our friends from the Mormon Church in their devotion and worship to God as they know best, we must check what the Bible says about the Sabbath.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:8-11 KJV
As we can see from the Bible, the Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week.
And the seventh day of the week is Saturday.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Matthew 28:1 KJV
Everyone knows that Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday. The Bible calls this day the first day of the week.
It says “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week”.
In other words, at the end of Saturday, as it began to dawn toward Sunday. The Bible tells us here too that the Sabbath is Saturday.
Who changed the Sabbath day to Sunday?
The Sabbath was first changed to Sunday by Emperor Constantine of Rome in 321. He gave a decree in honour of the Sun because he was pagan.
“On the venerable day of the Sun, let the magistrates and people residing in the cities rest, and let all workshops be closed! In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits!”
History of the Christian Church, 1902 ed., vol. 3, p. 380
Later, the Roman Church followed this practice and in the Council of Laodicea, they too supported this change.
“Christians shall not Judaize [keep Sabbath] and be idle on Saturday…but shall work that day; but the Lord’s day shall they, especially honor, and, as being Christians, shall if possible, do no work on that day.”
A History of the Councils of the Church, vol. 2, p. 252
The problem is there is no authority from God for this change and no Bible verses.
They made it by their judgement and authority, and people are following what these authorities say even today, unfortunately.
Jesus and the Sabbath
Jesus did not change the Sabbath. His statements about the Law are clear.
Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
KJV Bible
The Apostles and the Sabbath
The apostles also honoured the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week. (Acts 13:42,44, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4)
That gathering on the first day of the week was not a worship service. (Acts 20:7)
The apostles were breaking bread every day. (Acts 2:46-47)
This day was what we call today Saturday evening. They were counting days in biblical terms – from sunset to sunset. (Leviticus 23:32)
The verse says that Paul was getting ready to travel the next day. If that was the new Sabbath, how could he travel? The Sabbath is to rest, not to travel.
The term “first day of the week” is mentioned only 8 times in the New Testament. Whereas the word “Sabbath” is mentioned 60 times. Think about that.
If the Sabbath had changed, wouldn’t we have seen it all over the New Testament?
Analyze for yourself those 8 verses and see that 5 of them are referring to the day when the women went to the tomb.
And Jesus did not give any commandment for people to honour His resurrection day. His death was equally important as was His resurrection.
And for these, He established the baptism. (Romans 6:3-4)
No buying or selling on Sabbath
And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
Nehemiah 10:31
The Bible tells us to not buy or sell on the holy day of God. It is an offence to God to do business transactions on His holy day.
We should rather make all our transactions on the other six days of the week.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have seen that those who belong to the Mormon Church worship on Sunday.
The Bible, however, shows us that the Sabbath is on Saturday, the seventh day of the week, and it has never changed.
God loves them and appreciates their sincerity. However, the time will come when a Sunday law will be enforced. (Revelation 13)
Everyone will hear the message that the Sabbath is Saturday, and it has never changed. God expects them to honor His Sabbath, and not a man-made Sabbath.
If then, people will still choose to honour man’s teachings, instead of God’s commandments, they will suffer the consequences. They must make a choice.
Those who disobey God and honor the beast and its image from Revelation 13 in the form of worshipping on Sunday when it will be enforced by law, will have to suffer His wrath and be lost forever. (Revelation 14:9-11)
But it does not have to be that way. God loves everyone and wants none to perish. Let’s obey our loving Creator today, and leave aside the doctrines of man. (Matthew 15:9)
May God help us to have the same courage as Peter and the apostles who said:
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
FAQ
What day do Mormons observe the Sabbath?
Mormons observe the Sabbath on the first day of the week, Sunday. While they are sincere in their worshipping and actions, unfortunately, the Bible does not teach that Sunday is holy or is the new Sabbath. The Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week. (Exodus 20:8-11)
Should the Sabbath day be Saturday or Sunday?
The Sabbath day is on Saturday and not Sunday according to the Bible. (Exodus 20:8-11)
Is Sunday a holy day for Mormons?
Mormons do celebrate Sunday as a holy day. They do it in honour of Christ’s resurrection. We appreciate their sincerity and willingness, but we must acknowledge the fact that the Bible teaches that Saturday is holy, and is the Sabbath day.
References
KJV
My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary
The Days of Noah – Powerful Documentary (Video Format)
Bible Studies – Written Format
