Give a Little, Get a Lot

  The topic of sacrifice has been on my mind a lot lately and with Easter just around the corner, I can't help but contemplate it even more.  The definition of sacrifice is the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.  Jesus Christ performed the biggest sacrifice. His life was prized and living was desirable but for the sake of our salvation, He was mocked, tormented and crucified.  All of this though, He did because the opportunity for all of mankind to return to Heavenly Father was of more value.  He atoned for our sins so that we can return to our Heavenly Father.  While He doesn't ask us to experience all that Christ went through, Heavenly Father still asks for sacrifices today.

The Law of Sacrifice
  Elder Ballard said, "the two major purposes of the law of sacrifice are to test and prove us and assist us in coming unto Christ."  It doesn't get stated more simply than that.  Through sacrifice, our faith is tested.  By doing all that Heavenly Father asks of us we are demonstrating how faithful we truly are.  By being faithful and living the gospel, we are taught to be more like Christ.  What better way to come unto Christ, then to be like him and offer up some sort of sacrifice?

Sacrifices Today
  When I decided to be baptized, I made a sacrifice.  It might not have been life or death, or even as extreme as some stories, but it was a still a sacrifice.  While I had a lot of friends and family members who were supportive, I still had people who did not want me to take this step.  For me though, choosing to come unto Christ was worth the risk of ruining those relationships.

  I have many convert friends who are such great examples to me.  When I hear their stories and trials, I am amazed by their strength and faith.  Some have been kicked out and alienated, yet, they are still so strong in their beliefs of the gospel.  Not to mention, incredibly happy with their decision.  One friend was telling me the story of his conversion; his parents kicked him out of his house, took him out of their wills, and wouldn't support him at all in his decision.  He was only allowed to move back in after helping his parents by buying their house because they were about to lose it.  Amazed, I asked him if he regretted anything.  Of course he didn't.  "My family and I haven't been good since I got baptized, but I wouldn't trade it for the world."

  A lot of investigators and converts experience the same thing.  Maybe not as drastic, but we all lose or hurt someone in the process of making this decision.  That's a sacrifice you have to be willing to make.  You can't put anyone before God, and when you put Him first you are blessed.  In Matthew 19:29 Jesus says,

"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."

  Converts aren't the only ones who have to sacrifice.  Believe it or not, the people responsible for converting others are sacrificing as well.  It takes courage and faith to speak to someone about the gospel.  While it is a beautiful thing to share, it's scary to bring up to others who either aren't familiar with it or have a very skewed perception of it.  When members willingly share the gospel, they are showing their faith in Christ and they are acknowledging the potential of sacrificing another relationship.

  Relationships aren't the only thing follower's of Christ have to sacrifice.  Time, talent, and even habits are sometimes needed to be set aside so we can walk in His footsteps.  By attending all three hours of church and keeping the Sabbath holy, we are showing our dedication to the Lord.  Also, by choosing the right and obeying His commandments tells Him we are willing to obey His word.  Obedience is sacrifice.

All the Serving Elders, Put Your Hands Up
  With the exception of maybe those in the military, missionaries are the greatest example of sacrifice today.  They sacrifice time, love and energy for their Heavenly Father.  Two years (or a year and a half if you're a lady) is a long time.  But to these elders and sisters, it is but a small portion of time that makes up for a big part of their life.  When these missionaries leave, they have to say goodbye to their loved ones and leave them behind.  Yet they don't really see it that way.  As one return missionary put it, "we leave our families and the people we love and want to be with for eternity so we can teach others how they can be with their families for eternity."

  It doesn't just end there, a lot of missionaries sacrifice their dreams to serve the Lord.  There was an elder who served my ward who made impact on me that I will never forget.  He truly loved teaching others about the gospel and his faith shined so brightly.  He was incredible and touched so many hearts.  Before serving a mission, he received a scholarship to Northwestern for wrestling.  Now I've never seen him wrestle, but I heard he's great and by the looks of him I would never want to go up against him.  He's kind of giant...but has the heart of a teddy bear.  Elder Rands put his wrestling dreams on hold to serve our Heavenly Father.  In our last testimony meeting before going home, he shared with us how hard it was to leave wrestling behind for a couple years, but that it was so worth it.  I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet this wonderful follower of Christ and I know he has been and will continue to be blessed immensely for his work.

Elder Rammell and Elder Rands on his last Sunday

  In the last General conference, Elder Anderson gave a talk during the Priesthood session about missions.  He spoke of the importance of missionary work and how it's preparing the world for the second coming.  I encourage you to read it here.   One of my favorite parts about this talk is when he tells the story of Sid Going.

"In 1961, at age 18 and holding the Aaronic Priesthood, Sidney Going was becoming a star in New Zealand rugby. Because of his remarkable abilities, many thought he would be chosen the very next year for the national All Blacks rugby team.

At age 19, in this critical moment of his ascending rugby career, Sid declared that he would forgo rugby to serve a mission. Some called him crazy. Others called him foolish.  They protested that his opportunity in rugby might never come again.

For Sid it was not what he was leaving behind—it was the opportunity and responsibility ahead. He had a priesthood duty to offer two years of his life to declare the reality of the Lord Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. Nothing—not even a chance to play on the national team, with all the acclaim it would bring—would deter him from that duty. 

He was called by a prophet of God to serve in the Western Canadian Mission. Forty-eight years ago this month, 19-year-old Elder Sidney Going left New Zealand to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

  When asked about the decision to go on a mission instead of the taking the opportunity to play for a professional rugby team, Sid's response is “The blessing of [bringing others] into the gospel far outweighs anything [you] will ever sacrifice.  I couldn't agree more.  Elder anderson then goes into detail about what happened to Sid after his mission.

"Most important: an eternal marriage to his sweetheart, Colleen; five noble children; and a generation of grandchildren. He has lived his life trusting in his Father in Heaven, keeping the commandments, and serving others.

And rugby? After his mission Sid Going became one of the greatest halfbacks in All Blacks history, playing for 11 seasons and serving for many years as captain of the team.  

How good was Sid Going? He was so good that training and game schedules were changed because he would not play on Sunday. Sid was so good the Queen of England acknowledged his contribution to rugby. He was so good a book was written about him titled Super Sid."

  Serving a full time mission might mean sacrifice, but it also means blessings.  Not only for you, but for your family and those that you teach and serve.  One of my friends who served a mission said, "We're not really leaving anything behind, just moving in a direction we're not used to.  Just like converts."

  I have such a love for missionary work and I'm so thankful for the missionaries who have sacrificed so much so they can spread this joyful message.  I'm amazed to hear about what seems like such hard trials and great sacrifice for others, yet means so little to those experiencing it because they know of the greater work that is taking place.  

It's Important.
  Sacrifice is so important and not only that, but so rewarding.  When we are willing to go the way He wants us to go and do the things He calls us to do, no matter the sacrifices asked of us, we will become more like Christ.  Isn't that the goal anyway?