Again, the heading of section 59 helps me to put the directions we receive in it in context:
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, August 7, 1831. Preceding this revelation, the land was consecrated, as the Lord had directed, and the site for the future temple was dedicated. On the day this revelation was received, Polly Knight, the wife of Joseph Knight Sr., died, the first Church member to die in Zion. Early members characterized this revelation as “instructing the Saints how to keep the sabbath and how to fast and pray.”
The beginning of the section seems to be a comfort to those who were close to Polly Knight (who I assume was almost everyone in the community), because she was a faithful woman, that she would receive a crown in the mansions of the Father. So the Lord reminds the Saints that they also need to be faithful in keeping the commandments in order to receive the same crown. To help them, He lists some of the ten commandments (also adding some, as well as clarifications) and elaborates on the commandment to keep the sabbath day holy.
7 Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.
8 Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
9 And 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;
10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;
11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;
12 But remember that on this, the Lord’s day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.
13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.
14 Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.
15 And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—
This was very helpful information and direction for the Saints in an infant church. He affirms that Sunday is the Lord's day. In thinking about this topic, I remember all the lessons I've had concerning how to keep the Sabbath Day holy. There are definitely differences of opinion, within and without of the church. I think there are definitely things that go under a column headed: "Ways to keep the Sabbath Day Holy," which the Lord defines and are therefore unequivocal: go to church, partake of the sacrament, pray, repent, fast, be thankful, etc. There are also things that would definitely go under "Ways to break the Sabbath Day," but they are definite in my mind. They are perhaps grey areas in someone else's mind. I've been thinking about what sort of standard one could use to determine Sunday appropriate activities. But it just seems so subjective and all subject to rationalization. But here's a question that might help. "Am I more likely or less likely to remember the Lord while doing this activity?" It's not a hard fast rule, but just something to consider if you truly believe that Sunday is to be dedicated to the Savior.
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