Life Sketches Manuscript

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The Sanctuary and the Sabbath

But the Lord gave me a view of the heavenly sanctuary. The temple of God was open in heaven, and I was shown the ark of God covered with the mercy-seat. Two angels stood one at either end of the ark, with their wings spread over the mercy-seat, and their faces turned toward it. This my accompanying angel informed me represented all the heavenly host looking with reverential awe toward the law of God, which had been written by the finger of God. LSMS 165.1

Jesus raised the cover of the ark, and I beheld the tables of stone on which the Ten Commandments were written. I was amazed as I saw the fourth commandment in the very center of the ten precepts, with a soft halo of light encircling it. Said the angel, “It is the only one of the ten which defines the living God who created the heavens and the earth and all things therein.” LSMS 165.2

When the foundations of the earth were laid, then also was laid the foundation of the Sabbath. I was shown that if the true Sabbath were kept, there would never have been an infidel or an atheist. The observance of the Sabbath would have preserved the world from idolatry. LSMS 165.3