Chapter 74: The Altar of Sacrifice

Elder Jonas Childers
Feb 14, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Feb 12, 2024

"Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."

3 Nephi 11:11 A great week, pretty crazy as usual. We made our way down from Belfast to Dublin and worked with the Zone Leaders here for the South of Ireland, Elder Fromgren and Elder Jakkö. They are just wonderful men who I respect and trust completely. We were also reunited with Elder Kulmayer! After a couple weeks of him working in The Republic we were finally able to be physically together again as a companionship. We planned and executed All-Ireland Zone Conference, went on an incredible hike, and got to be with and learn from all of the missionaries on the Emerald Island. I am so grateful God has blessed me to do the things I do, and I have just such a deep love and admiration for my companions. As we've gone from conference to conference, and especially at this last conference in Ireland, I've been thinking a lot about the principle of sacrifice. As a companionship, during our portion of instruction at Zone Conference we have been teaching about this principle and how it applies to us as missionaries. I would love to maybe collect and share some of my thoughts here, however I do promise I will be brief. Sacrifice is a principle of faith. In the context of our relationship to God, which is the context I work with regularly, sacrifice stems from a deep trust in God's character as loving and someone who desires our happiness. Sacrifice, simply put, is where we give something up now trusting that we will receive something better in the future. Sacrifice has always been a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and has always been asked of Christ's followers. Consider the lives of these people and the sacrifices they made. Ask yourself: Who were they? What were their lives like? What were they willing to sacrifice? Mary, The Mother of Jesus Joseph Smith Peter, The Apostle Moroni Abraham Eve, The Mother of All Living The Sons of Mosiah Lehi Queen Esther From their stories and examples, we learn many truths. We learn that sacrifice has never been easy, but it has always been worth it. Sacrifice as an eternal principle of the gospel has and always will be able to point us to Jesus Christ and His ultimate sacrifice. Additionally, as members of His church progress in the gospel, sacrifice is actually part of the covenants we make in the temple, which bind us to the Saviour and which allow us to have greater access to His power in our lives. Such was taught by Jospeh Smith when he said this, "A [person] that does not require [of his or herself] the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary to lead [themselves or others] unto life and salvation." Sacrifice allows us to access the powers of Heaven.

As we make sacrifices to God, however, we must look at the conditions of our hearts. It wasn't only Nephi who left Jerusalem and all they had known to be home, Laman and Lemuel did as well. They all were in the same boat, and all were asked to sacrifice. However, the difference between Nephi and Laman and Lemuel is that Nephi's attitude was one of submission. His humility consecrated his sacrifice. Laman and Lemuel's pride tainted theirs.

Although they gave up similar things, it was Nephi who experienced such a mighty change through the power of Christ's Atonement, for through his submissive sacrifice, he found himself bound to the Saviour, who is the ultimate example of pure submission and pure sacrifice. I can think of fewer words found in scripture more beautiful and instructive than those found in Matthew 26:36-39— "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." In such a pinnacle moment of existence, Jesus Christ humbly petitioned the Father for another way to complete his mission. He did not want to do what he was about to do. But Jesus Christ did not care about what he wanted in that moment, for nevertheless, it wasn't as he would, but as the Father would have happen. "Since the Most Innocent suffered the most, our own cries of 'why' cannot match His. But, we can utter the same submissive word 'nevertheless'" (Neal A. Maxwell). In our own lives, we have to ask ourselves, "what am I willing to put on the Altar of Sacrifice?" My promise is that The Spirit will teach you what it is God needs you to either stop doing or start doing. As you then do so, you will more fully access his power. The answer can be simple, but whatever the answer is, commit to doing so. You won't regret it; I know that I haven't. Life is good. God is wise. Don't give up.