Why Can’t Mormons Swim on Sunday?
by ThaddeusQ. Why can’t Mormons swim on Sunday?
Swimming is something we do mainly for recreation, like sailing, golfing, four-wheeling, and going to the movies. The Lord has asked us to spend one day of our week in worship. Recreation often distracts from this goal. We prefer to find activities that focus our thoughts on the Savior and bring us together as families.
Is there something inherently evil about swimming? No, but we can lose our spiritual balance when we overfill our time with fun-seeking. 
The Lord instructed Joseph Smith, “That thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; for verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High” (D&C 59:9–10). Notice that there is a blessing associated with Sabbath observance, and you can choose to claim it or not. Freedom from the ‘spots’ or moral pollutions of the world is more important to me than swimming.
The blessings of closer communion with God easily outweigh the pleasure I might get playing Marco! Polo! in the community swimming pool (called the ‘Municipool’ where I live), especially when I can enjoy a swim on six other days of the week.
The blessings are not reserved only for Mormons, either. Give it a try and see how you feel. See David’s excellent article on Sabbath Day worship to learn how.
I think it’s important to point out that the specifics about what we do or don’t do on Sundays are at least in part of matter of individual conscience.
We’ve gone as a family to a nearby state park on a Sunday afternoon, a park with picnic tables as well as a lake for swimming. For me and my family, that is a perfectly fine Sunday activity. I probably wouldn’t go to a municipal pool and buy concessions and that sort of thing on a Sunday, but I’d bet there are some faithful LDS folks who do.
Jesus warned about legalism, and in particular with regard to Sabbath observance. I find it wise to keep in mind the purpose of a sabbath day rather than get hung up on particulars.
Eric, you’re right that Sabbath observance is a matter to be decided between an individual and the Lord. I would just caution our readers that this does not mean it’s up to you alone. There is a certain danger in legalism, but there is an equally threatening pitfall on the opposite side of the spectrum: rationalization. We can fool ourselves into blinding our consciences and subtly moving the standard backward without really noticing it.
Constantly communicating with the Lord and listening carefully to his chosen servants (including his prophet and apostles, as well as local leaders) is the best way to keep from falling either way.
I’ve thought about this recently. I’ve come to the conclusion that the things we are taught not to do on Sunday are really secondary to the things we should be doing on Sunday. There may be nothing inherently wrong with doing those things we’re not “supposed” to on Sunday, except that they’re taking us away from the things that Sunday is meant for. If we’re following our favorite sports team or keeping track of the stocks all day the same as we do all during the rest of the week then we’re probably not taking time to rest, ponder and study the scriptures. I find that the people who don’t appreciate Sunday for the spiritual power it offers are often the same people who complain of never having “time” to study the scriptures.
At any rate, I’ve come to realize that if we focus on doing what we should on Sunday, then not doing what we shouldn’t entirely takes care of itself.
Eric: yes.
Thaddeus: yes.
Steve: yes.
You guys are right.
Who says Mormons can’t swim on Sunday? We’re Mormon and we swim on Sundays. We have a pool in our back yard and on a hot Sunday afternoon with little kids, I can’t imagine telling them they can’t go out there and swim. It’s a family activity and we hang out together and that, to me, is a wonderful bonding time that we don’t get often enough, since my husband and I both work full time hectic jobs. Now we don’t have ‘parties’ out there and have loud boisterous music, but my kids play together while I sit on a chair and read (oftentimes church material) and it’s nice and peaceful and cohesive and, for our family, perfectly appropriate.
This post was to answer a question that was posed from a viewer of the website about Sabbath day observance, its intention was not to make a “list” of things that were acceptable and unacceptable to do on Sunday. As the previous comments by Thaddeus and Steve have pointed out, the point is to keep the Sabbath day holy by it being a day to worship God. That is, do your activities take you away from God, or bring you closer to Him? If you contemplate on your family or personal activities and then can truthfully say you meet this criterion then you are keeping the Sabbath day holy.
When Jesus was criticized for healing someone on the Sabbath he stated that the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath. What a gift to have one day which was made for me. My responsibility then is to find the best way to use it for my edification.
In the movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray goes through countless attempts at finding out what activities actually bring him joy and peace. We all have that opportunity with our Sunday worship and activity.
i think mormons should be able to swim on sunday its not bad. sunday is a day to be with your family and how does swimming make it so we cant??? i think we should be able to swim on sundays and its wrong to keep your kids cooped up inside all day when you live in california and and its summer and its hot all the time its just WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints:
It is apparent that this post has really struck a chord in your hearts, because several of you seem to be offended that we dare suggest it is wrong to swim on Sunday. We aren’t saying that, all we are saying is that you should reflect on your Sabbath day activities. Please read Thaddeus’, Steve’s, Dave’s, Bus’ and my comments above. No one is saying what you can and can’t do on Sunday, we are simply asking you and all other people, “Do the activities you do on Sunday bring you closer to God?”, “Are your activities done in a spirit of worship?”, “Are you keeping the sabbath day holy, or are you making it a holiday?”
Kate, as for your comment, I understand your point about kids not wanting to be cooped up all day, but oftentimes what we think and what God thinks may differ. Our job is to get ourselves in line with His will. We can know his will for us by sincerely asking to know it and then being willing to do it, regardless of what He may say. Now, whether He thinks swimming on the Sabbath is considered disobedience or not for you, I don’t know. You have to make that decision between yourself and God.
Also, this post was made to answer a question posed by a reader whose Mormon friend declined a Sunday invitation to go swimming. Many Mormons choose not to swim on the Sabbath and this article gives some insight into why, though it may not be the blanket answer for every Mormon everywhere.
I believe in Jesus Christ and the main message that I get when I read my bible is the deliverance through faith and a constant walk towards being christians.I do not get the sense that we should focus ourselves on religion but more on relation. What relationship do you have with the lord? Open, honest? or look im being perfect while missing the point of your salvation.Keeping scripture but not having Christ in your heart will not ensure your place in heaven.To pinpoint specific scriptures on drinking tea, swimming etc… will in my opinion, surprise many who do not inherit the kingdom of God.
Curtis,
I agree with you that the relationship we have with our Savior is pretty important and relevant to our salvation. After all, the greatest commandment is to ‘love the Lord thy God with all thy heart’ (Mark 12:30), right? But in my opinion, keeping the commandments is equally important in that it is how we show our love for our Savior. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15)
I should mention, though, that not swimming on the Sabbath is not a specific commandment we keep. You just find it a lot when talking to people about how they keep the Sabbath day holy.
Jodie
I agree with you as far as keeping the commandments. What if you have to work on the sabbath? Are you less than a Christian? My main point is, in my opinion of course is not that we can alter Gods word but follow scripture with common sense. In the example of doing something different on the sabbath day, I honestly believe that an outing where a father is splashing around in the pool, spending time with his kids is glorifying the lord. Being a father especially loving is pleasing to the Lord and in that way you are giving reverence to Christ. What do you think? Please respond as I look forward to your approach on the matter.
Curtis,
Wow. I feel like you’re asking me to make judgments on situations I know nothing about. I could see myself having opinions in either direction. If the father has had a long week and hasn’t had much time to spend with his kids, I’d say go for it and have fun. On the other hand, if the father is using that Sunday pool time as an excuse for not spending time with his kids the rest of the week, I probably wouldn’t agree with that choice.
Personally, I try to make Sundays special compared to the rest of the week. For example, if I’ve spent a lot of time reading books that week, I’ll try to do something different with my free time on Sunday. However, if I’ve been busy with other things, I may turn to the book.
I’m guessing that for the most part we probably agree on this issue. Common sense is usually necessary for keeping the Sabbath day holy. The Church’s guidelines are to not work, not shop, and attend church. (As a missionary, I’d point out that shopping would be making someone else work.) Even then, though, we do as much as we are able. Is the Church going to tell a doctor not to deliver that baby, because the mother went into labor on Sunday? No. Does the church tell us not to join the military, because they can’t have consistent Sundays off? No. Police officers? Firemen? There are professions that just can’t work out that way. Similarly, what am I going to do when my son has a high fever and I run out of Ibuprofen? Go to the store and get it, of course. (And probably vow to pay more attention to my supply next time, especially since I’m probably going in the middle of the night!)
Jodie
Wow, I was actually paying you a compliment not asking you to make a judgement. What I was saying is there a person who believes as well as practices Gods commandments without being over religious. We can see around the world when religion goes wrong for example terrorist acts in the name of faith. You seemed to share the same principles in regards to certain issues. Thank you for your response and I apologize if I was misunderstood
Curtis,
Thank you for the compliment. I’m sorry I misunderstood. I admit I have a 6 month old baby and I was pretty tired when I got on the computer. I’m also sorry about the wording of my response. ‘Wow’ just meant I wasn’t sure what to say, not that you were asking too much.
Jodie,
Congrats on having a new baby and with your moral stability you are probably a great mom. I again thank you for your comments and maybe we can talk via this website again, as always God bless you and your family.
The motherhood issue actually brings up an interesting point about Sabbath observance. When Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath he was speaking against the long list of observances the Jews had developed and were forcing everyone to live by. By that same token sometimes the church leaders have mentioned some activities that they don’t believe are helpful in growing close to God and people jump on those as the latest commandment. It a situation with children in the house the parents feel the need to teach the kids correct principles and therefore may come across a little more dogmatic than they would sharing their beliefs with other adults. Kids seem to need a little more structure and possibly having a list of do’s and don’ts for the Sabbath serves that purpose.