JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

February 1989

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question about keeping the Sabbath in the arctic.

God has not made it impossible for His people to obey His laws. Where a person lives on earth makes no difference concerning the observance of the Sabbath.

In the far northern latitudes, the days are divided in the following manner: About the beginning of summer, the sun almost touches the horizon once every 24 hours. When it reaches its lowest point, one day ends and another begins. About the beginning of winter, the sun comes up to, or almost up to, the horizon once every 24 hours. This also divides the days.

The effect is that near the beginning of summer the seventh day is from midnight to midnight. Over the next six months, the beginning of the days drops back rapidly until near the beginning of winter the seventh day is from noon until noon. The sun touching, or almost touching, the horizon corresponds to sunset in both cases.

The July 30, 1951, issue of LIFE magazine contains a series of pictures which illustrates this principle. Possibly you could see that issue at your local public library.

It should be noted, however, that God revealed the Sabbath commandment to people living in the temperate zone, where He defined the proper observance as being from sunset to sunset. In locations where this rule is impractical or unreasonable, the Church has the authority to establish a proper time for Sabbath observance. Brethren in extreme latitudes have been advised that it is proper to begin observance of the Sabbath at 6 p.m. in cases where the actual sunset time is awkward.

Whenever we may assist you with your study of the Bible or in Christian living, we hope you will let us know.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT