This blogpost features some thoughts, quotes, and a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 13-19, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 115-120. Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.
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By definition, sacrifice means to give up something of value for the sake of something else even more important or more worthy. Sometimes I think we think of sacrifice and we think of big things--like donating lots of money or spending hours and hours on a church calling, but I think that the sacrifices that really matter are the day-to-day ones. The little things we give up to bless our families and to keep Christ in our daily lives.
A perfect example of this is the sacrifice mothers and fathers make to raise their children in faith. That may mean waking up a little earlier than you want to say a prayer with the kids that leave the house first. That may mean not watching that show on Saturday night, so you can finish reading the Come, Follow Me reading for that week. Or it may mean sacrificing your free time, turning off all the screens, and spending quality time with your family on a daily basis.
If you will sacrifice what the Lord has asked you to sacrifice, he will make more out of your life than you can on your own.
In researching on this topic I came across many examples of people all over the world that sacrifice huge things in the name of following Christ. One talk that really struck me was about members of the church in Sub-Saharan Africa not working their farms on Sunday and somehow finding that their fields are yielding more crops than neighboring farms that are much larger.
In my own family, my parents gave up 2-years of their retirement to serve the people of Paris, France on a senior mission. It was a sacrifice not only of comfort, but also of money, and time away from family and friends. Us kids honestly wondered if they would even be able to get their house ready to rent out for two years, let alone have the stamina to do what needed to be done on a mission. Yet they thrived. They were stretched in ways that blessed their lives as much as the people they served. The blessings they gained far outweighed the sacrifices they made and when my Dad passed away a few years ago, I know he died happy that he'd been able to serve in that way with my Mom.
This quote illustrates this point perfectly:
“The Lord’s ways are higher than our ways—and so is His arithmetic. It is different than ours.” (Chad Webb, S&I Broadcast, August 2015)
Yes, it’s true that 0 x 0 = 0 and that if we don’t put any effort to studying Come, Follow Me with our families, we’ll receive zero blessings for it. BUT 1 + 1 in the Lord’s arithmetic is much greater than 2. Christ takes us where we are and makes us more. Makes us enough. He blesses us in beautiful and multitudinous ways that we can barely fathom. CHRIST + ME = MORE
Elder Richard G Scott has said, “Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do, or so many challenges pressing upon you, that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential? Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people, those who are committed to a worthy, righteous life, who want to do good and intend to make the most of this life. His tool is distraction. He would have good people fill life with "good things" so there is no room for the "essential ones." Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?” (Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy [2007])
What is distracting us? For me it’s often my darn phone. It’s a blessing to be able to communicate so easily with my family that live scattered all over the world, but how often do I let myself get sucked into social media or games that have no lasting value? It’s all about balance. Let’s council together as families and discuss what we can put away to make way for Christ and his blessings in our lives?
QUOTES AND SCRIPTURES ABOUT SACRIFICE
D&C 64:34, “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.”
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said: “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give’…are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us.” We can surrender our will to His, and dedicate our lives to building up His kingdom and serving His children.”
D&C 64:33, ‘Be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”
D&C 117: 1-11 speaking of Newell K. Whitney and his wife leaving their prosperous circumstances and traveling to Adam-ondi-Ahman
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PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET
These
activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.
They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the
Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom
or home setting. I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling
working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament
programs each week. Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them!
THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)
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Have fun learning the gospel together!
Come back every week for a new printable activity sheet!
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