Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Sixty

Obedience, Sacrifice, and Consecration

Introduction – In the Garden of Eden the Father joined Adam and Eve in an eternal marriage and commanded them to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Moses 2:28).  When they entered mortality they were taught obedience and sacrifice.  (See Moses 5:5-8)

The gospel requires obedience, sacrifice, and consecration – It is important to understand that the primary sacrifice required of Adam and Eve and all their posterity is obedience to God in “similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father” (Moses 5:7) who always put the will of the Father first. 

The offering of the “firstlings of their flocks” was a reminder to the ancient saints of the atonement and also a reminder of their covenant to be obedient just as Jesus would be.  Similarly the sacrament is a reminder of the Lord’s sacrifice and of our covenant to be obedient.  To receive the greatest of all blessings  we are required to be obedient and willing to sacrifice just as the Lord himself did.   

Joseph Smith taught about the essential role of sacrifice:  “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary [to lead] unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things.  It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life” (Lectures on Faith, p.58).

Elder Robert Hales said:  “The Lord expects us to be as faithful, as devoted, as courageous as those who went before us.  They were called to give their lives for the gospel.  We are called to live our lives for the same purpose” (Ensign, Nov 2005, 91-92).

Sacrifice and consecration come from the same Latin root – “Our English verb sacrifice derives from the Latin sacer (sacred, holy) and fiacre (to make).  The term, then, means “to make holy.”  Interestingly, the verb consecrate comes from Latin sacrare, which also derives from sacer.  Therefore, both sacrifice and consecrate mean “to make holy.”  Our God is holy, and he wants us to be holy.  Sacrifice and consecration are laws that true Saints are required to live, as taught and exemplified by the Holy One of Israel…and in his holy temple” (Commentary on Book of Mormon, Ogden & Skinner, Omni 1:26).

The essentials of the plan of salvation is contained in one single verse:  “Yea, come unto [Christ], and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved” (Omni 1:26).  Offering our whole souls involves a willingness to sacrifice all things, and consecrate our lives to the Lord and to his work.

The family is the basic unit of the kingdom of God – To enjoy the blessings of celestial marriage we must be obedient and be willing to sacrifice everything to sustain and defend our families.  The family is under attack throughout the world.  We know the family is the fundamental unit of the kingdom of God.  The Savoir laid down his life for the redemption of mankind, and we must be willing to sacrifice all we have for the Lord, and consecrate our lives to his work, and to our families.  If we do so our families will be protected.  It is in the family that the most important and lasting work of the Lord is accomplished.       
 

Testimony – President Benson taught a profound doctrine:  “Do you know one reason why righteous mothers love their children so much?  Because they sacrifice so much for them.  We love what we sacrifice for, and we sacrifice for what we love” (First Presidency’s 1986 Christmas Devotional).

The same principle applies in marriage.  As we sacrifice for our families we love them more deeply.  This process becomes a marvelous upward spiral of love and sacrifice and sacrifice and love.

We are so blessed in our family with righteous mothers and fathers who are willing to sacrifice all for the Lord, for His work and for their families.  Truly, this sacrifice will “bring forth the blessings of heaven” (Hymns, p. 27) including the greatest blessing of all, even that of eternal life with our family.