Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy

So many activities combat for our attention on Sunday.  In Japan, most of the kids I knew had sport competitions on Sundays.  Around the world, many people find themselves working on Sunday.  Family activities may draw us to various locations.  No matter where we are, the best place to end up on Sunday is in church.

Everybody has different reasons for attending their respective worship services.  No matter the religion, you gather with others to strengthen each other, learn, and to come closer to the deity that you worship.  For Christians, and specifically Latter-Day Saints, we go to church weekly to take the sacrament.  When I talked about ordinances and baptism, I said that we take the sacrament to renew that baptismal promise so we can always be forgiven of the things we do.  On the first Sunday of each  month, Latter-Day Saints all fast and then share how our belief in Christ has supported us recently.  We attend various classes to study the Bible and Book of Mormon and then another set where the men and women learn more about their respective roles in God's great plan for all of us.  We talk with each other to help others through any hard trials they may be facing or seek guidance for any obstacles we're faced with.  Church is a religious think-tank that requires time, but when you properly participate, it loses the sense of sacrifice.  

A few too many times, I have been unable to attend church services.  This summer was the first time I had to work on Sunday.  I drove by multiple LDS churches with full parking lots.  The disturbed feeling I had was unforgettable.  Obviously, the people around me noticed I hadn't attended the previous week, and inquired as to my absence, but lacked judgment.  No matter how early it is or when the last time you attended church was, your next meeting should be next week.  There are friends that are waiting to meet you.  There are stories and opinions you have that need to be shared.  Your God is waiting for you to rest and come closer to him.  

Too many people focus on the negatives.  So, maybe the best question to ask yourself is not, "Why don't you go to church?" but, "Why do you go to church?"