"Verily I say unto you, all among them who...are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice-yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord shall command- they are accepted of me" (D&C 97:8)

I have been thinking about Abraham and Isaac. What an incredible offering to be asked to give, that of sacrificing your child. I get why Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac (Gen. 22:1-18). It wasn't because God needed to know that Abraham was spiritually strong and willing to sacrifice all things. God already knew this.  It was because Abraham needed to learn things that could only be taught by this particular sacrifice. Abraham acted on this command to offer his son as a sacrifice because he had faith in the resurrection and Atonement of Jesus Christ. When Isaac asks where the lamb is they are to sacrifice, Abraham's reply is honest and filled with faith, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together" (Genesis 22:8). From this statement we learn that they were both willing to sacrifice. They were both filled with faith and acted according to their faith.

We are all asked to sacrifice and be tried as Abraham: "Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son" (D&C 101:4). We are all asked to live the law of sacrifice so that we might be refined, purified, and sanctified. We are accepted of the Lord when we are willing to keep our covenants by sacrifice. "Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice- yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command- they are accepted of me" (D&C 97:8; see also D&C 52:15; D&C 132:50; Moses 5:23).

As I was praying the other day I said something like this: "Heavenly Father, please protect and bless my children, that they may be strong and choose good for themselves. I desire this even if I need to sacrifice my own life if necessary". Well, the thought came to me that dying wasn't the kind of sacrifice God needed me to make, but to give up my life, the life I had planned out. That would mean that I may not have the life I thought I should have, but that I am willing to give up whatever it takes, even enduring to the end, "[keeping His] commandments, and [seeking] to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion" (D&C 6:6; D&C 11:6). Zion is defined as "the pure in heart" (D&C 92:21). I now understand that my life should be the kind of life God needs me to live that I might "seek to bring forth [His] Zion" (1 Nephi 13:37).

As I have pondered this idea of giving up my own life there have been several examples that have come to my mind of what this means. Some sacrifices are more noticeable than others.

A dear friend of mine suffered a stroke after a "routine" surgery. It is now very difficult for her to communicate with her husband and children. She is very limited in how she communicates and also restricted in fully caring for herself. Her husband now cares for her. They are both living the law of sacrifice as they have given up their lives they had planned out. Rather they are helping to bring forth Zion as they endure this refining and learning process.

A friend of mine was married in the temple, and her marriage didn't go the way she had planned. She ended up being a single mother and raising her 4 children alone. This wasn't what she had planned for her life. But, she lives the law of sacrifice as she continues to keep her covenants, cares for her children, and endures to the end, thus helping to "bring forth Zion".

Some may be asked to sacrifice their lives as these dear friends have, but most of the time, the sacrifices which we are asked to make are simple day to day actions of kindness when none seems warranted, or keeping the Sabbath day holy, or to "love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you" (Luke 6:27-28), to only name a few. I must ask myself, what am I willing to sacrifice? Am I willing to sacrifice all things that Zion may be brought forth?

Joseph Smith taught: "'A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation'. In the eternal perspective, the blessings obtained by sacrifice are greater than anything that is given up" (Sacrifice). For the longest time I never really understood what this was trying to teach me. I now know that sacrifice isn't always black and white, nor is it always life or death. We are not all asked as Abraham, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest...and offer him there for a burnt offering..." (Gen 22:2). Sometimes, it is enduring to the end that can be the most challenging sacrifice, or perhaps giving up the life we thought we were suppose to have, or simply giving up that Sunday so that I might worship the God we profess to love.

How can we live the law of sacrifice every day, that of a "broken heart and a contrite spirit" (3 Nephi 9:20)? "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of Him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all" (Mosiah 5:15). As we live the law of sacrifice by keeping our covenants, thus helping to bring forth Zion, we are accepted of God (see D&C 97:8). This I testify.

A depiction of Abraham and Issac. May we all be as willing to obey the Lord's commands.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7)

I have been asking a lot of questions lately about various things in my life. My niece, Sarah Bonney, called them "questions of the soul" (her blog here). I have truly been seeking answers to many things, not complicated things, just different areas of my life that I want to change, improve, and understand better. I decided to reread the Conference issue of the Ensign (see link here). The Lord has said: "Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall be fulfilled whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same" (D&C 1:37-38). I was amazed and humbled by the answers that were right there on the pages of the Conference issues of the Ensign! My understanding and testimony of the fact that we are led by a prophet, apostles, and servants of the Lord has increased and been strengthened. I have been filled with peace, and it is a great feeling! Here are just a few of the things that servants of the Lord have said concerning the questions of my soul:

Elder D. Todd Christofferson: "A woman's moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt or more beneficially employed than in the home...A pernicious philosophy that undermines women's moral influence is the devaluation of marriage and of motherhood and homemaking as a career...there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in marriage. There is no superior career, and no amount of money, authority, or public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family. Whatever else a woman may accomplish, her moral influence is no more optimally employed than here" (The Moral Force of Women).

Elder Timothy J. Dyches: "If you feel unclean, unloved, unhappy, unworthy, or unwhole, remember 'all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ'. Have faith and patience in the Savior's timing and purposes for you. 'Be not afraid, only believe' (Mark 5:36)" (Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?).

Elder M. Russell Ballard said: "There is no greater joy in life than being anxiously engaged in the service of the Lord. The key is that you be inspired of God, that you ask Him for direction and then go and do as the Spirit prompts you" (Put Your Trust in the Lord).

Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson: "As we act upon the doctrines of the gospel and put them into daily practice, we will become converted and will become the means of accomplishing much good in our families and in the world" (Be Ye Converted).

Pres. Thomas S. Monson, the Lord's prophet said: "Our Heavenly who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass...such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were-better than we were, more understanding that we were, more empathetic that we were, with stronger testimonites than we had before. This should be our purpose- to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow" (I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee).

I testify that these are the words of the Lord through His servants. I know that as we search the scriptures, pray, and do His will, we will have "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). I invite you to search the words of the prophets of old through scripture study, and the current prophets by rereading their words from past General Conferences. The words of the Lord can also be heard in the upcoming General Conference on March 29th, April 5-6, 2014 (watch here). I promise, that as you listen, study, and seek with an open heart, the questions of your soul will be answered and you shall receive peace with "passeth all understanding".

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48)

I made a valentine for the love of my life, Jeffrey, my awesome husband. I made him a little heart that read: "To Jeffrey: There are many "Reese's" why I love you! Let me write just a few". (Jeff loves Reese's peanut butter cups).

As I wrote down the reason's why I love Jeff, I realized that I didn't list any physical qualities that I love about him such as his gorgeous brown eyes, or his graying red hair and beard, or his fantastic laugh, or the fact that we always joke about me being taller than he is. I realized that all the reasons I had written are eternal qualities, or better said, Christlike attributes that he possess. He is "faithful, dedicated, diligent, good, brave, tender, full of integrity, generous, kind, positive, an amazing father, a wonderful husband, an incredible lover, funny, believing, intelligent, content".

As I ponder these Christlike attributes, I realize that these are the "divine nature" of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4). We are told by Christ: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48; see also 3 Nephi 12:38). Perfect in this sense means "complete, finished, fully developed" (Matthew 5:48 footnote 48b). He wants us to become like Him. Christ's attributes don't change with the day to day stresses, or with age, time, or even politics. Nope. "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in Him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing" (Mormon 9:9). We can completely rely upon His character being constant-because He is constant and unchanging.

In a time when character traits seem to change with whatever crowd, location, or ideas one is associating with, I am grateful that we have a perfect example to follow, even Jesus Christ. We all need help in developing Christlike qualities. Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf said this about developing Christlike attributes: "The one help we all need is given to us freely through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Having faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement means relying completely on Him-trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. Christlike attributes come into our lives as we exercise our agency righteously. Faith in Jesus Christ leads to action. When we have faith in Christ, we trust in the Lord enough to follow His commandments-even when we do not completely understand the reasons for them. In seeking to become more like the Savior, we need to reevaluate our lives regularly and rely, through the path of true repentance, upon the merits of Jesus Christ and the blessings of the Atonement" (Developing Christlike Attributes).

I am grateful to be married to a Christlike man. I know he isn't perfect and neither am I. (I have way to much to work on and develop in myself to worry about other people's shortcomings.) I testify that through reevaluating our lives, trying, repenting, doing, and following Christ,we can develop attributes that help us become "complete, finished, fully developed", even "perfect" as Christ would have us become.

Me and Jeff...the "perfect" couple...at least for each other. (Note: this is not an accurate portrayal of our height)

This is when I rode in a relay ride called "Salt to Saint". Jeff was the most awesome and perfect support driver, muscle, encouragement, and everything else! (definitely closer to our actual height in this photo)  

This is closer to our true heights...I am 2" taller than he is, and closer to 4" when I am wearing my shoes. He's the "perfect" height for me. 

"I know that my Redeemer liveth" (Job 19:25)

As I woke up this morning the words to the chorus of This is the Christ were going through my head. The words, written by President James E. Faust (July 31, 1920 – August 10, 2007) are as follows:

They heard His voice, a voice so mild.

It pierced them through and made their souls to quake.

They saw Him come, a man in white, 

The Savior, who had suffered for their sake. 

They felt the wounds in hands and side, and each could testify: 

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the healer of our souls

Who ransomed us with love divine.

I read His words, the words He prayed

While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane.

I feel His love, the price He paid.

How many drops of blood were spilled for me?

With Saints of old in joyful cry

I too can testify:

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God, 

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the healer of our souls

Who ransomed us with purest love divine!

(words and music found here)

I love this song, which for me, is a hymn of praise to our God and King. It is a beautiful and simple message of the the appearance of Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, to the people in America (read the account here) and of His love for us, that He would suffer for all mankind. The prophets then and now testify, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" (Job 19:25 see also Matt 1:21; Titus 2:13-14; 2 Nephi 9:4; Jacob 7:12; Mosiah 3:18; Helaman 7:29; Pres Monson).

I too can testify that Christ lives! He loves us and redeems us from our sins as we repent and turn to Him in faith. He is the Redeemer of the world. Jesus Christ is the Healer of all sorrows, disappointments, pain and suffering-all of it! He died, that we might live; and as we look to God, we will live (see 3 Nephi 15:9)! I know that my Redeemer liveth! This I testify.