Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 26: Sacrifice 
Comments and Resources

"Sacrifice has always been a fundamental part of our religion.  President Harold B. Lee, quoting the prophet Joseph Smith, gave the following instructions concerning the law of sacrifice: "'A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation'" (Address at welfare services meeting, 6 Oct 1973, pp 8-9).

"For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor, and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life...requires more than mere belief or supposition that he is doing the will of God; but actual knowledge, realizing that when these sufferings are ended, he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the Glory of God...

"...A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation...

"It is vain for persons to fancy themselves that they are heirs with those... who have offered their all in sacrifice, ...unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice" (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, 6:5, 7-8).


During the study of this topic, we will learn what the Lord expects us to sacrifice, what the purpose of sacrifice is, and the results of willing sacrifice. 

Resources:
Gospel Principles, Chapter 26
Truth Restored, Chapters 8-10


Scriptures:

Jacob 4:5 Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son. 

3 Nephi 9:19-21
  19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. 
  20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not. 
  21 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin. 

D&C 13; 98:11-15
SECTION 13 
Ordination of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the Aaronic Priesthood along the bank of the Susquehanna River, near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. HC 1: 39 42. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel, who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient apostles, who held the keys of the higher priesthood, which was called the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The promise was given to Joseph and Oliver that in due time the Priesthood of Melchizedek would be conferred upon them. See also Section 27: 7, 8, 12.  

Keys and powers of Aaronic Priesthood are set forth. 
  1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. 

D&C 98: 11-15
  11 And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God. 
  12 For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith. 
  13 And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal. 
  14 Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy. 
  15 For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me. 


Genesis 4:3-8; 22
  3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 
  4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 
  5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 
  6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 
  7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 
  8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 


1 Kings 18:17-46 

Matthew 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 

Acts 5:40-42
  40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 
  41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 
  42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

Hebrews 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Moses 5:5-8
  5 And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord. 
  6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me. 
  7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth. 
  8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore. 


Topical Guide: 
                        Blood, Symbolism of
                        Contrite Heart
                        Jesus Christ, Lamb of God
                        Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation
                        Oblation
                        Passover
                        Self-sacrifice
			   
Bible Dictionary:  
                            Altar
                            Feasts
                            Lamb of God
                            Laver
                            Law of Moses
                            Moriah
                            Priests
                            Sacrifices.'



 
Concept 1: Introduction

'Sacrifice means giving to the Lord whatever he requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further his work.  The Lord commanded, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).  Our willingness to sacrifice is an indication of our devotion to God.  People have always been tried and tested to see if they will put the things of God first in their lives.

Discussion

Think of a favorite thing you possess.  How would you feel if you were asked to give it up?  Consider the sacrifices of many people as you read: Matthew 19:29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

Romans 12:1-2. "1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.  
2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."


Concept 2: Animal Sacrifice Was an Ordinance of the Gospel

'From the time of Adam and Eve to the time of Jesus Christ, the Lord's people practiced the law of animal sacrifice (see Moses 5:5).  It was an ordinance of the gospel.  They were commanded to offer as sacrifice the firstlings of their flocks.  These animals had to be perfect, without blemish.  The ordinance was given to remind the people that Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the Father, would come into the world.  He would be perfect in every way, and he would offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins (Moses 5:5-8 "5. And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord.  And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.  
6. and after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord?  And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.  
7. And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.  
8. Wherefore, thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son for evermore.).

Jesus did come and offer himself as a sacrifice, just as the people had been taught he would.  Because of his sacrifice, everyone will be saved from physical death by the Resurrection and all can be saved from their sins through faith in Jesus Christ (see chapter 12, "The Atonement").

Christ's atoning sacrifice marked the end of blood sacrifices.  Blood sacrifice was replaced by the ordinance of the sacrament.  The ordinance of the sacrament was also given to remind us of the Savior's great sacrifice.  We should partake of the sacrament often.  The emblems of bread and water remind us of the Savior's bruised body and of his blood, which he shed for us (see chapter 23, "The Sacrament").

Discussion

Read Moses 5:5-7.  What did the sacrifice of a lamb represent in ancient times?
What event brought blood sacrifice to an end?
What ordinance was given to replace the ancient law of sacrifices?'



Concept 3: We Still Must Sacrifice

'Even though blood sacrifice was ended, the Lord still asks us to sacrifice.  But now he requires a different kind of offering.  He said: "Yea shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood,... and your burnt offerings shall be done away.... and ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit" (3 Nephi 9:19-20).  A "broken heart and a contrite spirit" means that we offer deep sorrow for our sins as we humble ourselves and repent of them.

Discussion

How do we observe the law of sacrifice today?'



Concept 4: We Must Be Willing to Sacrifice Everything We Have to the Lord

'The Apostle Paul wrote that we should become living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto God (Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.").

If we are to be a living sacrifice, we must, if asked, be willing to give everything we have for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints.

A rich young ruler asked the Savior, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus answered, "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother."  And the rich man said, "All these have I kept from my youth."  When Jesus heard this, he said, "yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."  When the young man heard this, he was very sorrowful.  He was very rich and had his heart set on his riches. (see Luke 18:18-23.) <http://Scriptures.lds.org/en/luke/18/18-23#18>

The young ruler was a good man.  But when he was put to the test, he was not willing to sacrifice his worldly possessions.  On the other hand, the Lord's disciples Peter and Andrew were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the kingdom of god.  When Jesus said unto them, "Follow me,... they straightway left their nets, and followed him"  (Matthew 4:19-20).

Like the disciples, we can offer our daily activities as a sacrifice to the Lord.  We can say, "Thy will be done."  Abraham did this.  He lived on earth before Christ, in the days when blood sacrifices and burnt offerings were required.  As a test of Abraham's faith, the Lord commanded him to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice.  Isaac was the only son of Abraham and Sarah.  To offer him as a sacrifice was extremely painful for Abraham.

Nevertheless, he and Isaac made the long journey to Mount Moriah, where the sacrifice was to be made.  They traveled for three days.  Imagine Abraham's thoughts and his heartache.  His son was to be sacrificed to the Lord.  When they reached Mount Moriah, Isaac carried the wood and Abraham carried the fire and the knife to the place where they were to build the alter.  Isaac said, "My father... behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"  Abraham answered, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb."  Then Abraham built an alter and arranged the wood on it.  He bound Isaac and laid him upon the wood.  He then took the knife to kill Isaac.  At that moment an angel of the Lord stopped him, saying, "Abraham... lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou has not withheld thy son, thine only son from me" (see Genesis 22:1-14).


Abraham must have been overcome with joy when he was no longer required to sacrifice his son.  But he loved the lord so much that he was willing to do anything the lord asked.

Discussion

What would you have done if you were in the situation of the rich young ruler or Abraham?'



Concept 5: Sacrifice Helps Us Prepare to Live in the Presence of God

'Only through sacrifice can we become worthy to live in the presence of God.  Only through sacrifice can we enjoy eternal life.  Many who have lived before us have sacrificed all they had.  We must be willing to do the same if we would earn the rich regard they enjoy (see Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, p. 58).

We may not be asked to sacrifice all things.  But like Abraham, we should be willing to sacrifice everything to become worthy to live in the presence of the Lord.

The Lord's people have always sacrificed greatly and in many different ways.  Some new converts to the Church have been cut off from their families.  Lifetime friends have turned away.  Some members have lost their jobs; some have lost their lives.  But the Lord notices our sacrifices; he promises,

"Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life" (Matthew 19:29). 

As our testimonies of the Gospel grow, we become able to make greater sacrifices to the Lord.  Note the sacrifices made in these true examples:

A member of the Church in Germany saved his tithing for years until someone with priesthood authority could come and accept it.

A Relief Society visiting teacher served for thirty years without missing an assignment.

A group of Saints in South Africa rode for three days, standing up, to be able to hear and see the prophet of the Lord.

At an area conference in Mexico, members of the Church slept on the ground and fasted during the days of the conference.  They had used all their money just to get to the conference and had nothing left for food and shelter.

One family sold their car to get money they wanted to contribute to a temple building fund.	

Another family sold their home to get money to go to the temple.

Many faithful Latter-day Saints have very little to live on, yet they pay their tithes and offerings.

One brother sacrificed his job because he refused to work on Sunday.

In one branch, the youth gave freely and willingly of their time to care for the young children while their parents helped build the meetinghouse.

Young men and women give up good job opportunities to serve as missionaries.

Many more examples could be given of those who sacrifice for the Lord.  Yet a place in our Heavenly Father's kingdom is worth any sacrifice we have to make of our time, talents, energy, money, and lives.  Through sacrifice we can obtain a knowledge from the Lord that we are acceptable to him (D&C 97:8 "Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice-yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command-they are accepted of me.").

Discussion

Think of the sacrifices you or your family members have made for the gospel and some of the blessings they have received as a result of the sacrifice.

Additional Scriptures 

Luke 12:16-34 (where the treasure is, their is the heart)


Luke 9:57-62 (sacrifice to be fit for the kingdom)
  57  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 
  58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 
  59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 
  60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 
  61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 
  62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 

D&C 64:23; 97:12 (today is a day of sacrifice)

D&C 64: 23
  23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming. 

D&C 97:12
  12 Behold, this is the tithing and the sacrifice which I, the Lord, require at their hands, that there may be a house built unto me for the salvation of Zion 

D&C 98:13-15 (those who lose life for the Lord will find it)
  13 And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name's sake, shall find it again, even life eternal. 
  14 Therefore, be not afraid of your enemies, for I have decreed in my heart, saith the Lord, that I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy. 
  15 For if ye will not abide in my covenant ye are not worthy of me. 


Alma 24 (the people of Ammon sacrifice their lives rather than break their oath to the Lord)
  The Lamanites come against the people of God The Anti-Nephi-Lehies rejoice in Christ and are visited by angels They choose to suffer death rather than to defend themselves More Lamanites are converted. Between 90 and 77 B.C. 

Alma 27:5-10 (the people of Ammon offer to become slaves in payment of their sins)
  5 Let us gather together this people of the Lord, and let us go down to the land of Zarahemla to our brethren the Nephites, and flee out of the hands of our enemies, that we be not destroyed. 
  6 But the king said unto them: Behold, the Nephites will destroy us, because of the many murders and sins we have committed against them. 
  7 And Ammon said: I will go and inquire of the Lord, and if he say unto us, go down unto our brethren, will ye go? 
  8 And the king said unto him: Yea, if the Lord saith unto us go, we will go down unto our brethren, and we will be their slaves until we repair unto them the many murders and sins which we have committed against them. 
  9 But Ammon said unto him: It is against the law of our brethren, which was established by my father, that there should be any slaves among them; therefore let us go down and rely upon the mercies of our brethren. 
  10 But the king said unto him: Inquire of the Lord, and if he saith unto us go, we will go; otherwise we will perish in the land.'



-----------------
Moroni 10:4-5
"4. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 
5. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

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