Church Invites Members to Share How They Honor #HisDay
Contributed By Marianne Holman Prescott, Church News staff writer
The Church is encouraging members to help remind the world what the Lord’s day is all about. This is done by sharing the good the Sabbath day brings to life. The simple things that are shared can inspire others.
Article Highlights
- Share what you do to keep the Sabbath day holy.
- Take a photo or share a story on social media with the hashtag #HisDay.
- Help remind the world what His day is all about.
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In an effort to “remind the world what the Lord’s day is all about,” a new invitation from the Church encourages members of all ages and living around the world to share their photos and thoughts as they honor the Sabbath day—#HisDay.
A videoon ChurchofJesusChrist.org introduces the #HisDay initiative with the text “Each week He gives us a day for the most important things; for coming together, for fresh starts, for lifting our voices, and lifting each other. For guidance and joy. For coming closer to Him.”
Adding that #HisDay is for questions, answers, service, family, gratitude, and growth, the short video emphasizes that the Sabbath day is for “you.”
With a heightened focus by Church leaders on the topic of Sabbath day observance over the past year, the social media campaign is one way for members to learn from and strengthen each other. The theme, “HisDay is for the most important things,” encourages all to strengthen their faith in God by observing the Sabbath day with greater purpose.
“Over the past 12 months members have really just responded to this call, and we are seeing all of these little bits of things out on social media,” said Michelle Torsak, Communication Services Committee messaging director for the Church, in an interview released April 28 on the Mormon Channel.
A week after the campaign’s launch, the search term #HisDay had more than 37,000 posts on Instagram, as well as thousands of posts and shares on Twitter and Facebook.
“When we see what other people are doing, it motivates us and strengthens our own testimony,” Sister Torsak said in the Mormon Channel interview.
Sharing #HisDay on social media is meant to be an easy way for individuals to uplift and inspire others. The Church’s Facebook page, Instagram page, and Twitter accounts have been sharing videos and images, and other media outlets of the Church have offered suggestions.
“Share what you do with it,” the invitation reads in the video. “Share your Sabbath. #HisDay.” It is an opportunity for people to show, as it says in the invitation on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, “why Sunday is more than just another day.”
In the Mormon Channel podcast, Sister Torsak said there are two ways to participate in the campaign. First, by sharing “something that’s just short and sweet and feels very social”—a picture, a tweet, something that can be shared with the hashtag #HisDay on a social media platform. The second way is through something longer—a blog post, a YouTube video, or something that doesn’t fit on social media.
“We want to hear about that, but you aren’t going to share it on social, so email us at hisday@ChurchofJesusChrist.org,” Sister Torsak said in the podcast. “Depending on what it is, there are a couple of ways to share.“
The initial six weeks of the campaign—until May 31—is an invitation for people to share.
”There are members that are already doing this—they have already created things, they have written that great blog post—and now we just want to know about it,” Sister Torsak said in the podcast.
The real gain, she said, comes a few months later.
“From June until the end of the year [is] when we are going to be taking the ideas and stories and tips and the traditions and the activities that people share with us,” Sister Torsak said.
Some of what has been shared with the hashtag #HisDay will again be shared through the Church’s media platforms. The Church has also provided videos, pictures, special content, and pages of ideas as a resource for families.
For individuals unsure of what to share online, ChurchofJesusChrist.org shares five simple ways a person can share with others what they do on #HisDay.
1. Snap a photo
Whether it is of a moment, of loved ones or influential people, a weekly tradition, or a place that is important—such as a temple or home—members may share what they appreciate on the Sabbath through posting a picture on social media.
One father posted on Twitter a picture of his son standing in front of a Church building with the caption, “Took this guy to see the Bishop to say he wanted to be baptized. He said he wanted to keep the commandments #HisDay.“
2. Share a bright idea
Some people have shared ideas of what they or their family are doing with their time on the Sabbath. Others have explained what their family does to prepare for Sunday. Whether it is a Sunday-appropriate activity or ideas to help make a special day, sharing what works for one family may help another family.
One woman posted pictures of missionaries eating dinner at her home with the caption, “#HisDay is for feeding the missionaries. That is the tradition in my family on #HisDay.”
3. Tell a story
Whether it is a story, an essay about a gospel topic, or a quick thought, social media sites and blogs can be a great platform for sharing those experiences. ChurchofJesusChrist.org says, “Share your memorable moments and lessons learned.”
A young mother posted about the difficulty she had with her young son during the second hour of church. Feeling defeated, she thought about going home but decided she would stay for the last hour of class. In that last hour her son calmed down and she was able to listen to the lesson and went home spiritually fed.
4. Hit record
Whether it is through arranging or writing a song, capturing a video of family, or an activity, members are invited to “get creative and use your special talents.”
5. Get social
With all of the different social media platforms, people are encouraged to use the search term #HisDay.
Many Church members have shared what they learned at church or have posted a picture of a scripture that stood out to them during their personal study.
“Help us remind the world what the Lord’s day is all about,” the invitation on ChurchofJesusChrist.org reads. “Share the good it brings to your life and the things you do to make it great each week. Make it heartfelt, make it joyful, make your voice heard. The simple things you share will inspire others.”
Many families read from the scriptures or share stories from the Bible and Book of Mormon on the Sabbath day.
Some families share music and talents on the Sabbath day.
The Church's #HisDay website at www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/sabbath-day shows a list of ways people can share what they are doing on the Sabbath day.
With a heightened focus by Church leaders on the topic of Sabbath day observance over the past year, a new social media campaign is one way for members to learn from and strengthen each other. The theme, “HisDay is for the most important things,” encourages all to strengthen their faith in God by observing the Sabbath day with greater purpose.
With a heightened focus by Church leaders on the topic of Sabbath day observance over the past year, a new social media campaign is one way for members to learn from and strengthen each other. The theme, “HisDay is for the most important things,” encourages all to strengthen their faith in God by observing the Sabbath day with greater purpose.
With a heightened focus by Church leaders on the topic of Sabbath day observance over the past year, a new social media campaign is one way for members to learn from and strengthen each other. The theme, “HisDay is for the most important things,” encourages all to strengthen their faith in God by observing the Sabbath day with greater purpose.
With a heightened focus by Church leaders on the topic of Sabbath day observance over the past year, a new social media campaign is one way for members to learn from and strengthen each other. The theme, “HisDay is for the most important things,” encourages all to strengthen their faith in God by observing the Sabbath day with greater purpose.
With a heightened focus by Church leaders on the topic of Sabbath day observance over the past year, a new social media campaign is one way for members to learn from and strengthen each other. The theme, “HisDay is for the most important things,” encourages all to strengthen their faith in God by observing the Sabbath day with greater purpose.
