Lectures on Faith 6: A Sacrifice That Means Something

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The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers us the chance for totality

I was recently blessed to read this account of last week's eclipse. (I know, I know -- we've read a bazillion accounts of the eclipse. I think the phrase "ad nauseum" fits there. But trust me -- this one's worth it).

"I had read all the hype, and I had a hard time imagining there was any way a total solar eclipse could live up to so much promotion and praise. One account was so effusive that even my young nephew dismissed it by saying, 'It had too many superlatives.' Surely nothing could be that good.

If I had not lived plop in the middle of the zone of totality in Rexburg, Idaho, I don't know that I would have traveled far to see it. When I mentioned it to my brother a month ago, remarkably enough, he hadn't even heard about it yet. But before I could even say anything about it, he said, 'It seems like every eclipse that comes along is supposed to be the only time in the next 57 years you'll be able to see something like it.' He hadn't been that impressed with what he'd seen in the past, so he wasn't interested in driving a couple of hours north to reach the zone of totality for this eclipse.

I don't fault him. If I were him, I might well have looked at a map and figured, 'I'll just stay here and see 75% of the eclipse and get 75% of the benefits. Why go all that way just to see the sun all the way covered?'

But with solar eclipses, I learned vividly and personally today, there is a world of difference between even 98% of an eclipse and 100%. We watched with interest and amusement during the partial phases of the eclipse, but right up until a few moments before we witnessed the total eclipse, it seemed like not much more than a pleasant astronomical quirk visible only with special protective glasses.

But as the moon began to totally cover the sun and we witnessed the diamond ring and the corona visible only with a total solar eclipse, I was absolutely blown away. I thought I would remain calm, but I couldn't keep the emotions I felt inside. And neither could most of the people around me. As one writer had predicted, it was as if it touched something deeply primal within us. No photograph or video I've seen of this spectacular phenomenon does justice to it. It is simply the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

Afterwards, my nephew volunteered to his mother: 'Now I know why they used so many superlatives.' Despite all the hype, we discovered a total solar eclipse had not been overrated.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, this experience has reminded me of three important lessons. First, heaven is not overhyped; eternal life will be worth every sacrifice we could possible make to partake of it.

In one of my otherwise favorite songs by Train, the singer asks of a friend returning from some kind of cosmic journey, 'Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded and that heaven is overrated?' Just as my brother assumed a total eclipse had been oversold, much of the world today has come to believe heaven is not real or that it can't be all that. They doubt the reality of an eternal existence with God so exquisite that Peter described it as becoming 'partakers of the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:4). I believe that one day, everyone will be as convinced of the desirability of eternal life with God as those who witnessed the total eclipse today were of its stunning glory.

Second, I was reminded that there is a dramatic difference between the blessings that come from sort of following the gospel of Jesus Christ-being in the zone of partiality-and striving to following Him and His teachings with all our hearts-the zone of totality. One of the reasons my brother and I underestimated how rewarding the total eclipse would be is that we based our estimates on what we'd witnessed in prior partial eclipses. But a total eclipse isn't just twice as beautiful as an eclipse where the moon covers half the sun; it is exponentially better.

And so are the blessings that come from living in the zone of spiritual totality. I'm not talking about a place where we are perfect, and I'm certainly not talking about a condition we achieve through our own efforts alone. But I am referring to a state of mind and heart where we jump in with our whole souls, holding nothing back but relying on Christ to realize our divine potential. The blessings of spiritual coronas and diamond rings come not to those who merely go through the motions and occasional effort it takes to reach the zone of partiality; they come to those who yield their hearts and souls to God in the zone of spiritual totality.

Finally, now that I know what a rare and exquisite experience a total solar eclipse is, I regret terribly the fact that I didn't try to persuade my brother and his family and all my siblings and children who lived elsewhere to join us. What a terrible waste it was to have a home located in the heart of the zone of totality with only 5 guests. I wish I'd been more like some of our neighbors, who had family members and friends stuffed into every bed and couch and spilling over onto their lawns.

For those of us who have lived the gospel of Jesus Christ enough to know just how exquisite its blessings are, there is a special responsibility to find ways to help others come to understand or even consider the possibility that it will be eternally worth the sacrifice to come to the zone of spiritual totality.

For me, in some small way, glimpsing the silvery brilliance of the corona today felt like a symbolic foreshadowing of what it might be like to dwell eternally in the presence of God-in a place with 'no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof' (Rev. 21:23). Even more than I will strive to persuade my loved ones and friends to go witness the next total solar eclipse visible in the United States in 2024, I feel inspired to do all I can to help others know that heaven is real and that moving to the zone of spiritual totality is eternally worth it. We cannot use enough superlatives to describe it."

(To the original author: Thanks for your insights. You just never know when the seeds we plant on our personal journeys end up helping others to find their way back home).

The little-known scripture which instructs us to memorize it.

Just about everybody I've spoken with who made it to the zone of totality didn't have the words to describe what they experienced. It didn't matter that they drove 5 hours, 10 hours or more. To them, it was a transcendent experience that was well worth the sacrifice of time (especially away from work), travel and money.

Yet like making the trek to somewhere within that 60-70-mile-wide zone of totality, eternal life will also be worth every sacrifice we could possibly make to partake of it.

One of the greatest passages ever written of, by and for church members regarding sacrifice is Lecture on Faith 6. As we know, Lecture on Faith 6 was accepted by the Church on August 17, 1835, as "the doctrine and covenants of their faith, by a unanimous vote" (History of the Church 2: 243-46; also see here). It's canon, and even though it's no longer included in our printed scriptures, its status as canon has never been annulled, revoked or rescinded.

Lecture on Faith 6 is the only scriptural passage I'm aware of which tells us to do the following:

"Note. This lecture is so plain, and the facts set forth so self-evident, that it is deemed unnecessary to form a catechism upon it: the student is therefore instructed to commit the whole to memory."

(Kind of interesting, huh! Officially accepted and voted on scriptural canon which tells us to memorize a section of it).

I wonder why.

Let's find out, shall we?

So, you think you're going to be gathered among the faithful, and eventually going to heaven?

In Lecture on Faith 6, we move away from examining God's character to addressing "the knowledge which persons must have, that the course of life which they pursue is according to the will of God, in order that they may be enabled to exercise faith in him unto life and salvation" (verse 1).

Indeed, knowing that the course you're pursuing in life is aligned with God's will is also what "enabled the ancient saints to endure all their afflictions and persecutions, and to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing, (not believing merely,) that they had a more enduring substance (Hebrews 10:34)" (verse 2). It also helped them obtain confidence that despite their sacrificing their character and reputation, everything important in life and even their own lives, they would be easily accepted into heaven (verse 3), obtain that crown of glory (verse 4) and not only experience, but also partake, of God's glory (verse 5).

To cut to the chase: It's ludicrous for you to think you can make it to the same degree of heaven (or exaltation) as those who made such sacrifices, when you yourself would not (verses 8, 10).

And lest you start thinking that all this doesn't apply to you, check out Lecture on Faith 6:9:

"and in the last days, before the Lord comes, he is to gather together his saints who have made a covenant with him by sacrifice. Psalms 50:3-5: Our God shall clime, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant unto me by sacrifice." (emphasis mine)

And then we read elsewhere in verse 9 that this knowledge (that what you're doing is God's will, which is strong enough to give you hope through whatever trials you're expected to go through) "is obtained by offering sacrifice" (verse 9).

Last days? Check. Before He comes? Check. Wanting to be gathered (by Jesus)? Check. One of His saints? Check.

Made a covenant with, and obtained special knowledge by, Him...via sacrifice?

Ummm, what covenant? What sacrifice?

"You Can't Get Home Without It"

The Lord has given much to you. Conversely, He expects much in return.

You covenanted in the waters of baptism to love and serve Him, to keep His commandments, and to put His kingdom first in your life. In return, He has promised you eternal life in His Father's kingdom. In that status, you're in a position to receive and obey some of the higher laws which prepare you for that eternal life which you so sincerely seek.

We read that:

"He who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory" (D&C 88:22)

The Law of Sacrifice and the Law of Consecration are inseparably intertwined, celestial laws. If you want that celestial reward which you so devoutly desire, you must be able to live these two laws now, not after you die.

(The Law of Consecration is that we consecrate our time, our talents, and our money and property to the building up of the Kingdom of God. The Law of Sacrifice is that we are willing to sacrifice all that we have for the truth's sake-our character and reputation; our honor and applause; our good name among men; our houses, lands, and families: all things, even our very lives if need be; see here).

So, how can you have any hope of attaining the highest possible salvation for your soul, if you haven't been asked to make these sacrifices?

Chances are, God hasn't asked you to consecrate all your possessions, time, money etc -- and/or sacrifice your reputation and even your very life -- in building up His Kingdom.

However, He probably has asked you to make some other sacrifices...all of which (I believe) are rooted in at least some core, fundamental principles:

Sacrifice Principle #1: The Ultimate Aim of Divinely-Sanctioned Sacrifices

Ultimately, the most profound sacrifices -- those which resonate throughout the heavens -- are (again!) found individually, in you:

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51:17) 

"Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit." (D&C 59:8)

"And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." (3 Nephi 9:20)

So it is that real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed! Such is the "sacrifice unto the Lord … of a broken heart and a contrite spirit," (D&C 59:8), a prerequisite to taking up the cross, while giving "away all [our] sins" in order to "know God" Alma 22:18 for the denial of self precedes the full acceptance of Him." (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness", April 1995 General Conference)

Sacrifice Principle #2. "Small moves, Ellie. Small moves."

The Lord is a God of gradualism. There's a reason He starts us on our spiritual journeys not in the 9-foot end of the pool, but in the kiddie pool. He then says "Together -- you and me -- we're going to confidently make our way down to the 9-foot end. And I promise that once you get down there, you'll never want to get out!" Unfortunately, there are some kids who will immediately jump out of the pool, run (when they're not supposed to run -- hey, you know the pool rules!) and cannonball into the spiritual deep end. It doesn't take them long to start struggling, choking and drowning in the spiritual deep end, because they chose to short-circuit the correct process.

I see evidences of this all over the place. There are many very knowledgeable doctrinal swimmers -- far, far more knowledgeable about "swimming" (so to speak) than I. I mean, I'm a dog paddler compared to their triple-Lindy high dives. Yet, these other swimmers are a little different. Not only do they jump out of the three-foot end, they get their other friends to do so as well. Then they all go do cannonballs in not the 9-foot end, but the 12-foot end. Only a couple "kids" are just now starting to realize where they are; they are hurt, scared and ashamed. Others are confused and bewildered when they see other kids (who may themselves be unaware that they are) doctrinally drowning.

"For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith." (D&C 98:12)

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:9-10)

The Lord's instruction to us is so gentle and so merciful. Instead of throwing us in the 9-foot end of the pool (then teaching us how to get there), He starts us off in the shallower end. And as we listen to him teach us how to dog paddle, and breast stroke and other progressively-more-difficult swimming moves, we're transformed into skillful, confident swimmers way before -- not while -- we're in the deep end.

And as for those kids struggling in the deep end? Our Eternal Lifeguard throws His life preserver rings to them, too. All they need to do is grab hold of it (that's the hard part; see Alma 34:15). Once they do, He'll instruct them to get out of the pool, get their bearings, and re-start where they left off...this time, under His personal, expert tutelage.

"But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people." (Romans 10:21)

Sacrifice Principle #3: Individuality

Are all of us on the same level of spiritual development? Are all of us on the exact same path back to God? Are all of us being taught the same lessons, at the same time, in the same way? Are the personal commandments God gives you the same ones He's giving me, at this time?

I'm sure you'd agree with me that the answers are no, no, no and no.

Our individual sacrifices, covenants and required consecrations are as varied as snowflakes.

I'm amazed at how beautiful the Lord's curriculum is for us. I mean, really, really amazed.

It is so individualized, personalized, customized. Your whole mortal education -- from pre-school to post-doctorate work -- is based on textbooks and lab courses with your name and birthdate on them.

It's no wonder that the sacrifices the Lord requires of us, and are acceptable to Him, are given directly by Him:

"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)

Salvation always has been, is and always will be an individual, not collective, effort. Is the covenant of baptism offered as a group? No, people are baptized individually. How about the covenants you make when receiving your endowments? Nope, that's individual, too. And the covenants you make when being sealed to your spouse? Each partner in the marriage agrees to their covenants individually.

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (Jeremiah 31: 31-34; emphasis mine)

Sacrifice Principle #4: Sometimes It'll Be Painless (AKA The Parable of the Broccoli Lover)

There's a belief that for a sacrifice to be valid, it must hurt. I don't believe that's true in every circumstance.

For example: Eight years ago, a friend of mine and their spouse felt prompted to quit consuming processed food and refined sugar (Disclaimer: I'm in awe)! They also gave up eating other types of food. Both have tried, tempered and tremendous testimonies of the Word of Wisdom. You know that part in the Word of Wisdom about those who receive it "shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures" (D&C 89:19)? Yep, they'll tell you the Lord's been fulfilling that promise way, way more than they expected. (They even learned to love broccoli, which is just...astounding).

Sacrifice Principle #5: Sometimes It'll Hurt

Yet then again, no one ever promised us that discipleship in the last days would be a picnic in the park.

If you want to make it to the Celestial Kingdom, you'll have to prove yourself worthy of it. And if you think you can just skate by without proving your valiance, think again. God repeatedly tells us that mortality is a proving and testing experience (See Abr. 3:25; Mosiah 23:21).

When you're serious about aligning yourself -- in experiencing "totality" with Jesus -- you're eventually admitted into what Paul called the "fellowship of [Christ's] sufferings" (Philip. 3:10). Accompanying that admission may be illness or loneliness, injustice or rejection, abuse or neglect. It's whatever the Lord deems necessary to burn the spiritual impurities out of you.

"Did you ever know it is necessary that we should be tried in all things? If you do not you will find it out before you get through, and we are not through yet quite. In this connection, I am reminded of what I heard the Prophet Joseph say, speaking more particularly with reference to the Twelve, "The Lord will feel after your heart-strings, and will wrench them and twist them around, and you will have to learn to rely upon God and upon God alone." (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 20, p. 259 -260, March 2, 1879)

"I heard the Prophet Joseph Smith say to the Twelve, 'You will have all kinds of troubles and trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried, even as Abraham and other men of God.' And said he, 'God will feel after you and he will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings. And if you cannot stand it, you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.'" (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 24, p. 197; Church News, October 7, 1972, p. 14)

Yet for those who turn to the Lord, reassurances will come. Remember the story of Elisha's young servant? When he was encircled by an overwhelming enemy, he sought reassurance from the prophet and seer, who told him, "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." (2 Kings 6:16) It didn't seem that way to the young man until after the prophet's prayer. Then, when the young man's eyes were opened, he saw the mountain filled with horses and chariots of fire. (See 2 Kings 6:17).

When You Fear the Pain

Sometimes the sacrifices the Lord asks of us can be painless. We can give up our processed foods and sugars, and move on with life.

Yet sometimes He asks more of us. And on this subject, I know what you're probably thinking: That you're all for qualifying for the Celestial Kingdom, but man, why do these sacrifices often have to hurt so much? It's kind of like knowing you need to climb this hill, and a part of you even wants to, but you don't look forward to it. Sometimes it even feels like you're a tennis ball being sucked through a garden hose.

I get that. Several years ago, I myself grappled with a number of serious setbacks and tragedies, all occurring within one month. None of the incidents were related to the other, and none were my fault. They were heart-wrenching, painful and depressing.

Yet through it all, I begged and pleaded with the Lord that He would forgive me of my weaknesses and sins, that despite my shortcomings, that He would draw closer to me as I was endeavoring to do as well. I also asked for increased knowledge and discernment about the nature of the trials and tests I was having to endure. I wanted to know what I was supposed to learn from it all.

At first, the answers came almost imperceptibly. Yet over time, I grew more and more convinced that God really did love me, care for me, and desired that I enjoy greater happiness in Him. All of these good things, and much, much more, I attribute to a Father who is not only overly-anxious to shower us, but to also immerse us in gifts beyond anything we could expect. And He keeps giving and giving and giving, in so many unexpected and amazing ways.

I am nobody special. I have no significant importance or responsibilities. I don't want or seek acclamation, praise or followers. I cherish anonymity. I consider myself just as ordinary as any person sitting down the row from you in church. Yet this one thing I do have a testimony of: that God delights in exceeding our expectations of Him every chance He gets.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Taking the Leap of Faith

"The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it." (Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, April 1988 General Conference; or Ensign, May 1988, p. 4)

Is it hard to know the Lord, and still trust Him?  Yes, sometimes it is.

For example: In six weeks, I'm going to be required to do something I really don't want to do. For years, I've avoided doing -- I mean, adamantly, profoundly refused to do -- this one thing which may very well lead to disastrous consequences. Yet I'm moving forward with it. As I've told my friends, "The Lord's never let me down yet. Why would He do so now?"

So here's my personal invitation to you: What's your sacrifice? What is the Lord requiring you to do that may likely be very uncomfortable, even dangerous?

I invite you to ask the Lord. If you're feeling your spirituality stalling, then there's nothing that'll un-stall it faster than asking God to help turn you away from the telestial straight to the celestial.

I also invite you to join me in consecrating your heart, mind and body. Put your hand on your heart, put one foot in front of the other, and step onto what appears to be thin air.

Sometimes it's tough deciding to stand where the Lord wants you. He'll invite you to take that multi-hour trip and turn your back on what many would consider a pretty good thing.

But when you take Him up on that offer...when you stand exactly where He wants you, when you seek that totality, and spend even just a couple of minutes in it...

You'll be amazed at how far the Lord will lift you and how much He will show you. And in the process, your life will never, ever be the same.