A line in the hymn “Praise to the Man” reads: “Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.” In our study of Doctrine and Covenants 37–40, the Saints were asked to give up something very valuable with a promise of future blessings from God. While we hopefully won’t need to walk away from our property and worldly possessions like the early pioneers, their story can teach us important lessons about the eternal principle of sacrifice.
Segment 1
Scriptures:
D&C 38:21-22 (God watches over us)
D&C 37:4 (God’s wisdom to choose)
Words of the General Authorities:
I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes to increase your spiritual capacity to receive personal revelation. Doing so will help you know how to move ahead with your life, what to do during times of crisis, and how to discern and avoid the temptations and the deceptions of the adversary. (Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him”, April 2020 General Conference)
Segment 2
Scriptures:
D&C 37:3 (Where the saints should gather)
Segment 3
Scriptures:
D&C 38:18-19,32 (A promise of inheritance)
Matthew 19:29 (Blessings for those who forsake the world for God)
Quotes:
My friends marveled at my course, as did I, but something within impelled me on. My mother’s grief at my leaving home was almost more than I could bear; and had it not been for the spirit within I should have faltered at the last. My mother told me she would rather see me buried than going thus alone out into the heartless world. (Phebe Carter Woodruff, Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025, Voices of the Restoration: Gathering to Ohio)
We know nothing of what we are to do, save it be revealed to us, but this we know: a city will be built in the promised land. (Thomas B. Marsh, History of Thos. Baldwin Marsh, as recorded in Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 11: Ye Shall Receive My Law)
Segment 4
Scriptures:
D&C 38:1-4 (God is the same)
D&C 38:7 (His eyes are on us)
Words of the General Authorities:
Our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and will help us as we call upon Him for assistance. I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives. (Thomas S. Monson, “Consider the Blessings”, October 2012 General Conference)
Segment 5
Scriptures:
D&C 38:8-9 (We will soon see that God is there)
D&C 38:14-16 (God is merciful and hears prayers)
D&C 38:24-25 (Treat brothers like yourself)
D&C 38:31-33 (People are led to Zion)
D&C 38:35 (Care for the poor)
CR: D&C 42:30-33
Words of the General Authorities:
Wait till next year, and then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get some rest. It's going to be exciting. (Russell M. Nelson, Interview with President Nelson and Elder Steveson in Chile, from Church Newsroom)
Segment 6
Scriptures:
D&C 39:7-10 (Instruction to James Covel)
D&C 39:19-21 (Preach and baptize)
D&C 40:1-3 (Temptation of men)
Words of the General Authorities:
Study everything Jesus Christ is by prayerfully and vigorously seeking to understand what each of His various titles and names means personally for you. For example, He really is your Advocate with the Father. He will take your side. He will stand up for you. He will speak on your behalf, every time, as you choose to be more like Him. Get to know Him by studying all He continues to teach through His living prophets and apostles. (Russell M. Nelson, “Prophets, Leadership, and Divine Law”, Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults delivered on January 8, 2017)
To those of you who feel you don’t have time, if you will make a sacrifice, you will be well rewarded and very, very grateful for the change of perspective, increased knowledge, and improved depth of your conversion. I know this is true because I have seen the same rewards in my own life. (Russell M. Nelson, “Study the Savior’s Words”, January 2018 New Era)
I can even imagine that in the preexistent world, when the two plans were presented, some may have chosen Lucifer’s plan because of fear—the fear of leaving the presence of the Father with no guarantee that we would return…Why is fear part of earth life? Perhaps our Heavenly Father’s greatest hope is that through our fears we may choose to turn to him. The uncertainties of earth life can help to remind each of us that we are dependent on him. But that reminder is not automatic. It involves our agency. We must choose to take our fears to him, choose to trust him, and choose to allow him to direct us. We must make these choices when what we feel most inclined to do is to rely more and more on our own frantic and often distorted thinking. (Virginia H. Pearce, “Fear”, October 1992 General Conference)
View transcript here.