champatsch Posted February 6, 2021 Posted February 6, 2021 I remember that around 1980, the church put out an editorial in the Church News with this title, or something like it. It was, of course, about the Super Bowl and the higher importance of Sunday religious observance. Another memory related to this time of year is when someone I was acquainted with, a brilliant fellow who would go on to be a doctor, giving a talk on a Super Bowl Sunday in the 1980s, talked about how we were going to see the biggest and the best perform later that day. He immediately went on to say something to the effect that, yes, we were going to see the biggest and the best that anabolic steroids and an overactive pituitary could produce. Anyone have access to that old Church News editorial, who can quote some of the good bits from it?
Calm Posted February 6, 2021 Posted February 6, 2021 Maybe Deseret News archives? The Church News app doesn’t seem to have a search function or a archive link.
Robert F. Smith Posted February 7, 2021 Posted February 7, 2021 @Scott Lloydwould know how to find it.
Scott Lloyd Posted February 7, 2021 Posted February 7, 2021 9 hours ago, Calm said: Maybe Deseret News archives? The Church News app doesn’t seem to have a search function or a archive link. 17 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said: @Scott Lloydwould know how to find it. Sorry. The Deseret News digital archive only goes back to 1988, and even with that, I’ve found to my consternation that much of it is invisible to Google. The best bet I can think of is to go to the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, where they have bound volumes of the Church News in the stacks, and try to find it in the approximate year when you think it was published. Not much help, I know, but it’s the best I can suggest. 2
Calm Posted February 7, 2021 Posted February 7, 2021 If it is in the Church History Library, try the Ask Us function. They have found citations for me before. https://chl.libanswers.com/form?queue_id=3148 3
Robert F. Smith Posted February 7, 2021 Posted February 7, 2021 9 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said: Sorry. The Deseret News digital archive only goes back to 1988, and even with that, I’ve found to my consternation that much of it is invisible to Google. The best bet I can think of is to go to the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, where they have bound volumes of the Church News in the stacks, and try to find it in the approximate year when you think it was published. Not much help, I know, but it’s the best I can suggest. That it was related to Super Bowl Sunday might be helpful.
champatsch Posted February 8, 2021 Author Posted February 8, 2021 From the end of the editorial, dated January 31, 1981: Quote SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT NEVER has been included in the category of “sacred things.” Ball games of all kinds, going to resorts, swimming parties, golf courses, and theaters, have always been discouraged by our leading brethren. A sacred Sabbath is indeed the only kind which may be called super! 1
Scott Lloyd Posted February 8, 2021 Posted February 8, 2021 10 minutes ago, champatsch said: From the end of the editorial, dated January 31, 1981: Congratulations on locating it! Would you mind sharing with us how you did so?
bluebell Posted February 8, 2021 Posted February 8, 2021 6 minutes ago, champatsch said: From the end of the editorial, dated January 31, 1981: A sacred Sabbath is indeed the only kind which may be called super! This confuses me a little, because there are a lot of activities that most members would approve of for a Sunday, but that couldn't really be described as sacred. Like reading a good book, watching a movie with the kids, playing a board game, going to a friend's house for dinner, going for a drive, etc. I once had a bishop (a really great guy) ask me to talk on keeping the Sabbath day holy and specifically mention how going for a hike in the mountains after church doesn't count. That was a little weird for me because my thought was, why is walking outside on the Sabbath not keeping it holy? Is it too many steps from home? It didn't make any sense to me. Sure it's hard to argue that going to the super bowl is keeping the Sabbath day holy, but if a family is really into football and they gather with their kids around the t.v. and good naturedly root for their favorite team, is that worse than sitting around the t.v. as a family watching Studio C? 2
Scott Lloyd Posted February 8, 2021 Posted February 8, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, bluebell said: A sacred Sabbath is indeed the only kind which may be called super! This confuses me a little, because there are a lot of activities that most members would approve of for a Sunday, but that couldn't really be described as sacred. Like reading a good book, watching a movie with the kids, playing a board game, going to a friend's house for dinner, going for a drive, etc. I once had a bishop (a really great guy) ask me to talk on keeping the Sabbath day holy and specifically mention how going for a hike in the mountains after church doesn't count. That was a little weird for me because my thought was, why is walking outside on the Sabbath not keeping it holy? Is it too many steps from home? It didn't make any sense to me. Sure it's hard to argue that going to the super bowl is keeping the Sabbath day holy, but if a family is really into football and they gather with their kids around the t.v. and good naturedly root for their favorite team, is that worse than sitting around the t.v. as a family watching Studio C? It’s my observation that the Church leaders over the years have gotten away from setting forth checklists of do’s and don’t’s for the Sabbath Day. Proper Sabbath observance is still a law and commandment, but they’re hoping we will figure out much of it on our own, as guided by the Holy Spirit. That can be a two-edged sword. It’s nice to have the flexibility, but with it comes a wider scope for abuse of that liberty, in my opinion. It’s like tithing in that respect. A rather plain concept that even children can understand, but because our leaders won’t be forced into setting out lengthy and detailed provisions, some people twist and distort it in a manner that strikes me as out of keeping with the spirit of the law. Edited February 9, 2021 by Scott Lloyd 2
champatsch Posted February 8, 2021 Author Posted February 8, 2021 29 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said: Congratulations on locating it! Would you mind sharing with us how you did so? It was Calm's Ask Us suggestion that did it. They sent me a pdf of the page after one or two days. 1
Scott Lloyd Posted February 8, 2021 Posted February 8, 2021 5 minutes ago, champatsch said: It was Calm's Ask Us suggestion that did it. They sent me a pdf of the page after one or two days. I’m glad to know the Church History Library offers this feature, and I’m grateful to Calm for alerting us to it.
champatsch Posted February 8, 2021 Author Posted February 8, 2021 26 minutes ago, bluebell said: A sacred Sabbath is indeed the only kind which may be called super! This confuses me a little, because there are a lot of activities that most members would approve of for a Sunday, but that couldn't really be described as sacred. Like reading a good book, watching a movie with the kids, playing a board game, going to a friend's house for dinner, going for a drive, etc. I once had a bishop (a really great guy) ask me to talk on keeping the Sabbath day holy and specifically mention how going for a hike in the mountains after church doesn't count. That was a little weird for me because my thought was, why is walking outside on the Sabbath not keeping it holy? Is it too many steps from home? It didn't make any sense to me. Sure it's hard to argue that going to the super bowl is keeping the Sabbath day holy, but if a family is really into football and they gather with their kids around the t.v. and good naturedly root for their favorite team, is that worse than sitting around the t.v. as a family watching Studio C? I recall reading of a high church leader watching a football game on TV on the sabbath. Last night I saw Steve Young commenting on the game with Boomer and Booger. In my current situation in life, I see hardly any way I could refrain from watching some football on Sunday without withdrawing from important family interactions and events. 1
MustardSeed Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 Oh boy, What a dull night it was. It would be a shame if I'm damned for sitting through all that. 🤫 If watching a football game quietly with my husband next to me is a sin, well then, Id hate to think what the Lord will have to say about all the other things I've adopted in my life that probably are worth examining. To be sure, I'm not worried about it. 1
Bernard Gui Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 I’ve given up on professional sports. 2
Rain Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 On 2/8/2021 at 12:16 PM, bluebell said: A sacred Sabbath is indeed the only kind which may be called super! This confuses me a little, because there are a lot of activities that most members would approve of for a Sunday, but that couldn't really be described as sacred. Like reading a good book, watching a movie with the kids, playing a board game, going to a friend's house for dinner, going for a drive, etc. I once had a bishop (a really great guy) ask me to talk on keeping the Sabbath day holy and specifically mention how going for a hike in the mountains after church doesn't count. That was a little weird for me because my thought was, why is walking outside on the Sabbath not keeping it holy? Is it too many steps from home? It didn't make any sense to me. Sure it's hard to argue that going to the super bowl is keeping the Sabbath day holy, but if a family is really into football and they gather with their kids around the t.v. and good naturedly root for their favorite team, is that worse than sitting around the t.v. as a family watching Studio C? What did you do?
bluebell Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 6 minutes ago, Rain said: What did you do? I don't remember! It was back in 2004. Knowing me back then I probably did what the bishop asked. 1
Rain Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 I remember hearing somewhere about not listing don'ts for the Sabbath, but concentrate on helping people discover activities which help them get closer to the Lord. That goes along so well with the New Testament where Christ was often criticized for breaking the sabbath for healing, which I imagine would make him one with his Father. 2
Rain Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 Just now, bluebell said: I don't remember! It was back in 2004. Knowing me back then I probably did what the bishop asked. What would you do now?
bluebell Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 35 minutes ago, Rain said: What would you do now? I'd find a way to do what the bishop asked and also express my own thoughts on it. 1
JAHS Posted February 14, 2021 Posted February 14, 2021 I had a seminary teacher who said because he literally lived and studied the church almost every day per week he really needed the relaxation and change of subject by watching a good football game on Sundays. 1
Amulek Posted February 15, 2021 Posted February 15, 2021 On 2/8/2021 at 1:16 PM, bluebell said: Sure it's hard to argue that going to the super bowl is keeping the Sabbath day holy, but if a family is really into football and they gather with their kids around the t.v. and good naturedly root for their favorite team, is that worse than sitting around the t.v. as a family watching Studio C? Hmm...which is worse: watching the Super Bowl or Studio C? Kind of sounds like Sophie's Choice to me. 1
bluebell Posted February 15, 2021 Posted February 15, 2021 19 minutes ago, Amulek said: Hmm...which is worse: watching the Super Bowl or Studio C? Kind of sounds like Sophie's Choice to me. Old school Studio C, the answer is obvious. New school Studio C, it's a toss up. 3
mfbukowski Posted February 18, 2021 Posted February 18, 2021 On 2/8/2021 at 11:12 AM, Scott Lloyd said: Congratulations on locating it! Would you mind sharing with us how you did so? Dude, the man has SKILLS!
mfbukowski Posted February 18, 2021 Posted February 18, 2021 (edited) On 2/8/2021 at 11:16 AM, bluebell said: A sacred Sabbath is indeed the only kind which may be called super! This confuses me a little, because there are a lot of activities that most members would approve of for a Sunday, but that couldn't really be described as sacred. Like reading a good book, watching a movie with the kids, playing a board game, going to a friend's house for dinner, going for a drive, etc. I once had a bishop (a really great guy) ask me to talk on keeping the Sabbath day holy and specifically mention how going for a hike in the mountains after church doesn't count. That was a little weird for me because my thought was, why is walking outside on the Sabbath not keeping it holy? Is it too many steps from home? It didn't make any sense to me. Sure it's hard to argue that going to the super bowl is keeping the Sabbath day holy, but if a family is really into football and they gather with their kids around the t.v. and good naturedly root for their favorite team, is that worse than sitting around the t.v. as a family watching Studio C? Watching grown men running around playing with a pig's bladder is not all that interesting to me. Edited February 18, 2021 by mfbukowski 2
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