A Day of Sacrifice

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Hello beloved sisters and brothers,

Departing Missionaries

Last Sunday evening, I had the privilege of setting apart two young men from our stake as full-time missionaries. Elder Jancen Beckstead of the Morningside Ward began “home MTC” on Monday this week and will soon go to the Provo MTC, then on to the Taiwan Taichung Mission. Elder Gavin Jones of the River View Ward also began “home MTC” on Monday and next week will enter the Provo MTC. Elder Jones has been assigned to the Brussels-Netherlands Mission. We acknowledge the faith of these young men and their families and wish them godspeed as they serve.

Family History Event

I was so pleased to stop in at the Riverbend Ward Family History Indexing Party on Sunday afternoon. I appreciate Brother Avery putting this together. With the help of Sister Charlotte Jepsen and Brother George Ott, I was able to learn how to index WWI Military documents. Thank you for this ongoing emphasis on Temple and Family History work.

New Members

On Sunday afternoon David Smith/Deng was baptized in the Morningside Ward by one of his primary teachers, Brother Sperry. We are thrilled that David has chosen to follow the Savior’s example and make this covenant with our Father in Heaven.

Upcoming Special Events

This Saturday, February 4, at 10 am we will hold a Stake Women’s Conference. All young women and sisters are invited. Please invite a friend or loved one to attend with you. The conference will focus on the temple and will feature President and Sister Wakefield as well as other stake members sharing their temple experiences and testimonies. Lunch will be served as well.

Weekly Message: This is a Day of Sacrifice

One of the many pleasant responsibilities of my service as the Stake President is to regularly interview the bishops of the stake. The more I work with these men, the more grateful and impressed I am by their dedication and their sacrifices for the benefit of others. Each one is acutely aware of his imperfections, yet willingly gives his time and energy in service to God and the members of their ward. No less impressive and worthy of mention is the service of their faithful wives who encourage and support their husbands while also ministering to others in their own way.

I hope each of us will take a moment to express our appreciation for these wonderful men and women who unselfishly make daily sacrifices for our benefit.

After Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden, they were taught to offer sacrifices to the Lord. Later, they were taught by an angel that their sacrifices were a “similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth”. (Moses 5:6–7). From this, we learn that the Law of Sacrifice in ancient times was meant to help God’s children understand the “Great and Last Sacrifice” of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Alma 34:8,10)

While, bishops have a special call as the shepherds of the Lord’s flock, all who have been baptized have committed to care about and for each other. Further, all who have received their endowment in the temple have covenanted specifically to live the Law of Sacrifice.

The Lord taught Joseph Smith in revelation,

“Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice…” (D&C 64:23)

The resurrected Lord explained to the Nephites that the blood and burnt offerings from the law of Moses were no longer required after his crucifixion. Instead, He said…

“...ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Ne. 9:19–20).

The Law of Sacrifice we covenant to live today, although slightly different in form, has the same purpose as the offerings in ancient times; to help us understand the “great and last sacrifice” of our Savior. In a very real way, each sacrifice we offer is patterned after His sacrifice and draws us closer to Him.

The apostle Paul taught that as a result of our sacrifices, we become a “new creature”. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Moroni taught this as well.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him…” (Moroni 7:48)

In Mosiah Chapter 2, King Benjamin masterfully explains how our obedience and sacrifice work together to bring us joy in this life and the life to come. I encourage us all to read this chapter, but here is his conclusion in verse 41…

“And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”

The “offering of sacrifices” in our day may take many forms. I testify that as we follow the guidance of the Spirit and unselfishly offer our time, our presence, our hearts, and our souls, we will receive the promised blessings.

I love you,

President Gardner