The Faith to Sacrifice

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Several years ago my grandmother, with some help from my aunt, compiled the personal histories of our family members from several generations back.  She put them together with pictures and stories and gave books to each of her children.  At the time, I thought it was a nice gesture and knew my parents would enjoy having the book, but really didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have. 

Last Christmas my mother made color copies of their book—one for me and for each of my siblings.  Again, I didn’t appreciate this as much as I should have. 

Then, a few months ago several things started to happen…My husband and I were asked to serve as a “ma and pa” for a pioneer trek (a sort of reenactment of the Mormon pioneers’ trek west), I was asked to give a lesson in church about sacrifice, and Pioneer Day was fast approaching.  Each of these things gave me reason to pull out my book and read about some of my ancestors.  I found myself staying up late, not being able to put the book down.  I was engrossed in the stories.  Suddenly I realized that these people were real people.  They were people I would have enjoyed spending time with.  I could learn valuable lessons from these family members—even though I never had the chance to know most of them.

I read about ancestors who gave up most of their worldly possessions to travel west to find religious freedom as Mormon pioneers.  I read about my great grandfather who left his wife to run the business and the farm, AND take care of eight children so that he could serve a mission preaching the gospel he had come to know was true.  I read about my own grandfather who was miraculously able to walk because his mother was inspired through a dream and painstakingly guided his feet on the pedals of a tricycle, day after day, until he was able to walk.  Each story became real to me and truly touched my heart. 

As I read these stories, one question kept coming to my mind: Why were these people willing to sacrifice so much for what they believed to be true?  I’ve thought about this question a lot.  One thing keeps coming to my mind.  To sacrifice means to give up something we value for the sake of something of greater worth.  I think this explains perfectly why my ancestors and so many others were willing to sacrifice so much.  They had come to know for themselves that they were children of God and that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to redeem the world.  They had the faith to give up many things of value for this thing of much greater worth.

We probably won’t be asked to cross the plains in handcarts or to leave our spouses and children to serve a mission, but I do believe we are each asked to sacrifice something of worth for our Father in Heaven and His Son.  Perhaps it’s our time and talents we are asked to sacrifice, or maybe it is money and possessions.  No matter what we are asked to sacrifice, I have come to know it is worth it.  I know that the thing that is of most worth in this life is our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ.  Through them, we find true happiness.  President Gordon B. Hinckley (a former prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) said that, “it is never a sacrifice when you get back more than you give.  It is an investment, a greater investment than any.”  I know that as we put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in our lives, we will get back more than we give.  We are making an investment greater than any.  We will find true happiness.  I hope that we can each find the faith to sacrifice what we have to truly come to know our Father in Heaven and His son, Jesus Christ.

Authored by LLHappyEternal Writer: 1404