Sacrifice

Sister Knies gave a beautiful lesson on sacrifice.  What does that word mean?

Some of the answers were, giving something good for soothing better, an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy.

What does it mean to have a contrite spirit & broken heart?

One sister responded that it's at our lowest point when we turn to the Lord and say I can't do this without you.  It's being humble.

The Lord has commanded us to love and serve one another.  Has there been an experience in your life when you sacrificed something big but looking back you didn't feel like you sacrificed at all?

One sister shared her mission experience.  When she left for her mission she was so excited to be able to pay back everything Heavenly Father had done for her.  By the end of her mission she only felt like she owed him more.  Along the same lines, a couple of mother's shared that while their children gained so much from their missions, having their children go on a mission is a huge sacrifice for a mother.  It's hard and painful, but it's worth it because of what the missionary gets in return.  One mom shared that being a stay at home mom is a big sacrifice.  Another sister  shared a pregnancy story of when she was really sick.  A woman from their ward found out from her husband all of the kids favorite things then showed up one day without being asked and took the kids for a few hours to give her some rest.  She went on to say that sacrifice isn't when it's easy as in we have extra food so we take it to someone.  It's when it's hard. 

Why are we asked to sacrifice?

Some answers were to learn service and love.  To show love, words don't always show love, it's through our deeds.  Sister Knies shared the quote, "Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care."

Sister Knies shared the story of the building of the Kirkland temple and the women that sacrificed all of their china towards the building of that temple.  

Will we remain true and  faithful through all the challenges of today?  Will we know what to do when people say no, I'm ok or I'll call you if I need you?

What sacrifices are converts asked to make?

Some answers were, tithing, attending 3 hour meetings every Sunday and then extra meetings at other times, sometimes you have to sacrifice your friends or family.  

President Hinckley shared a story of a young man who had converted.  He was sure he would lose his family and his job when he returned home.  President Hinckley asked if joining the church was worth it?  He replied, "It's true isn't it?"

The pioneers sacrificed over and over.  They knew however that what was ahead was so much better than what was behind.  Never were they sorry.

Sometimes we ask, "Why does this happen to me?"  A lot of times we look back however and realize that the sacrifice was worth it, 100%.

Sister Knies compared the sacrifices of the priests and nuns in the catholic religion and the sacrifices they make.  Our commitment should be no less.

Gordon B. Hinckley was asked why we didn't show our religion through symbols like crosses and such.  He responded that the symbols of our Christian faith are the lives of our people.  

What are the symbols we can show?  Some answers were, modesty, service, everyday kindness in what we say, raising our children instead of "growing" our children, pictures of our family and the temples in our homes, showing integrity especially when working outside of the the home.  One sister said that in Texas we have the opportunity to get to know our neighbors because people are so friendly.  They spend a lot of time outside meeting the neighbors and letting them observe them as a family.  Serve in deferent areas in the community, not just our church.

How can we teach our children to sacrifice?  Some answers were, service with in church and community, showing our kids to give of themselves, teaching them to do things without expecting a reward, setting the example that our time is valuable by doing the things the Lord asks of us with a willing and happy heart, having children be a part of the service, teaching the kids why we do what we do and why it's worth it by the blessings the Lord has promised us.  

Sister Knies ended her lesson with a story of a little girl that wanted some dime-store pearls.  She worked and saved her money to buy them herself.  Once she bought them, she never wanted to take them off.  Eventually when her father came to tuck her in at night he would ask her if she loved him and when she said yes he would ask her if she would give him her pearls.  She would offer him other of her favorite treasures, but couldn't part with her pearls.  This went on for a few weeks until one night with tears in her eyes and before her father asked, she handed him her pearls.  He took the pearls and replaced them with authentic ones.  We can relate the story to the gifts are Heavenly Father gives us.  The sacrifices we sometimes are asked to make are replaced by the gifts our Heavenly Father blesses us with.