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The scriptures say that we are to provide a sacrifice to heavenly Father and this can be done in many ways, such as what was said in Romans 12: 1 or Ephesians 5: 2.

The word of God speaks of self-sacrifice, one where we are to subjugate ourselves to the ways of God and to put aside the ways of the world. Some of these “self-sacrifices” refer to placing ourselves into a humbled state, a contrite spiritual state which subjects ourselves to his Spirit (Psalms 51:17), which is also seen  in one of the most well known scriptural verses, “..he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it ( Matt. 10:39).”

It is clear that God is telling us to forsake mortal tendencies of life and embark onto a spiritual path and way, but how many really do this as they claim faith in God and his Spirit?

Indulgence or sacrifice?

The battle between being spiritual, the offering of oneself to God, or submitting ourselves to indulgences of the flesh and of the world. How easy it is for anyone of us to loose ourselves in indulgences, big and small and not even think of what we are really doing. Simple things, coffee, chocolate, junk food, cakes, or even drink (speaking generally), this is to name a few.

Think about it. When you fast for two meals, do you not desire to drink and eat? To have that treat, that potato chip, cup of hot chocolate or that slice of pizza?  That is an example of the human nature, that of the natural man or woman, the carnal mind and heart, wanting things of the flesh and the world, but when you refuse those desires to continue the fast, then you are spiritual, submitting oneself as a sacrifice to heavenly Father.

Now let us seriously consider as to whether the everyday thing is an indulgence or sacrifice. What things are you doing in your life that would be counted as an indulgence? Having need to eat that chocolate every day, or have that tea every morning, or that need for something that is gained from the world or from the flesh, the pleasures.

It is so easy to get into ideas of “self-pampering”, or “I deserve this” or “treat myself”, etc. These philosophies are taught by many “self-help” gurus that claim this is increasing personal power. How easy the corruption of God’s principles and practices can occur so subtlety and quickly because they appeal to the very thing we all have, that is the “ego” which is where pride resides.

God knew that unless we act in “self-sacrifice” we would be caught up by the world and the flesh, locked into the carnal mind and end up with a heart  of stone, spiritually speaking. Self-sacrifice assists us to humble ourselves and develop a contrite spirit, not to submit ourselves to indulgences, but to submit ourselves to the Spirit, which are spiritual things.

The important thing is to learn when things are not an indulgence and when they are. Making excuses to indulgence, even justify it as “free will or choice” is a selfish act because it serves no one but yourself. Athletes know the importance of self-sacrifice when it comes to performance. True they do it to perform better, it is for themselves, but the manner which it is done is the same. They do not indulgence in things that will hamper their “discipline”.

When God said that our bodies must be like a temple, that means we are to develop and maintain our physical nature unto God. Keep healthy, exercise and every so often, subjugate the body to a fast and to spiritual ways and things. Overcoming the things of the flesh is what opens us up to the Spirit, because by subjugating the flesh and the natural man or woman within, putting aside indulgences and excuses to indulge, shifts the body mind and soul into a spiritual focus and all good spiritual focuses are of God, which invites the Spirit. As athletes do this to perform, we can do the same, spiritually speaking for our faith unto God.

So what would it be for your faith, indulgence of sacrifice?

To be a Latter-day Saint (a Mormon to the world), requires each member to be a good example. This is unquestionable, in that the example expected of each member is clearly laid out by the gospel, Church and Church leadership. Such is the example that even the contenders against the Church cannot deny its value, but instead they try to diminish it through distractions into things that take the eyes and mind away from the truth of the Latter-day example that signifies and designates the Saints as true Christians. The example, when faithfully given, is supported by the Holy Spirit of God, enhanced, giving power to influence the hearts of others toward the Father in heaven and the Son, Jesus Christ.

Example lost is when members of the Church choose to sin, create contention or issue, or take up a wide and varied path that is not of the faith. These will loose the power of the example and the power of the Spirit that was with them.

The example as a witness and the power from the Holy Ghost is completely lost when those members choose to disaffect from the Church, join other churches or be of no church, who may or may not turn face to fight against this Church, but in all disavow themselves from anything truly spiritual and even deny or reject the workings of the Holy Ghost. Then the example they make in their lives, no matter how good they profess it to be, is only of themselves, bearing a power to others that is no greater than an opinion or personal favour, thus having no influence for God, because they have chosen to reject the one true witness of God, the Holy Ghost.

A true Christian example is a witness and this is spiritual. It cannot be anything else and certainly not of ourselves or our own beliefs. An example is to be a witness to others of the Spirit, power, glory, grace and perfection of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.

An example lost will no longer be a witness for God because this person has forsaken it for one of the world, what the world accepts and decrees. A world who knows not the Spirit of God nor anything truly Holy.

Example lost is a sign to others that these persons are not of Jesus Christ, not of his Church because the example given by them will be good of the world, but not the good of the Spirit and not of Salvation.

While I was visiting another Christian church, the pastor opened the pulpit to any person in the congregation to step up to speak for a few minutes. One elderly man stepped up and said that he was impressed with a question as to how we can return to God like Enoch in the Bible. He commented to the question saying, “I did not know how, I guess sin now blocks the way“. It was interesting to hear this, but the fellow Christian could not determine, by the Bible, as to how or why God took Enoch up into heaven without mortal death. This fellows Bible was no different than mine, but his only answer as to why translation does not occur was because of sin.

For some reason this spurred an interest in me, to reflect on the account of Enoch in the Bible and study the question. For some reason, for me, it became important to review the reasons why Enoch was raised.

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In the recent General Conference, Vicki F. Matsumori gave a talk about recognizing when the Spirit, or Holy Ghost speaks to us. The examples and descriptions she gave of how the Spirit “whispers” are exact and true. One of the descriptions given was from the words of President Henry B. Eyring, where he said, in effect, “Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light.” ¹. The description that immediately followed was the experience by an eight-year-old boy, “It felt like sunshine”.²

All of the descriptions I recognize, having experienced the Holy Spirit many times. The latter two descriptions given by Ms. Matsumori as the experience of “light”, like “sunshine”. The mind is enlightened, gaining clarity of understanding and perception, being able to understand and perceive the scope and breadth of the subject, topic, matter or issue at hand. All doubt is erased and sureness of thought is accomplished. So long as one moves within that frame of sureness, once moved by the Holy Ghost, peace and success is assured. To some, this may also describe the experience of “being in the spirit” or “feeling enlightened”. The experience that seems to be like a bright light that has shined brightly within the mind and heart. Hand in hand with this is the feeling of peace or how peace exists in it. Such is quite distinct and in contrast to having a “sudden idea”.

Vicki Matsumori was correct when she said that it can be hard to discern these “sunshine” moments. The inability to recognize these moments is because of the lack of experience and knowledge of the Holy Ghost or worst, from a disbelief that these experiences and feelings are from the Holy Spirit.

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Have you heard this cry? – “I have seen the truth!”, as many walk away and become advocates against this Church.

This is frequently heard and is in abundance in the claims made by ex-mormons on the Internet. Are these claims that they now see the truth, true? Can these ex-mormons be speaking the truth? I am sure for many current members this has been a kink in their spiritual armour, wondering if these claims are really true.

For those members who wonder this, please consider this.

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I have read quite a few statements by ex-members who claim they have seen the light that this Church is false and they spent years believing in the wrong church. Reading their personal accounts I have found an alarming trait with all of them. None have claimed that God told them to leave, not one. 

The beliefs that each of them held, to account for leaving the Church, have centered on some claim that the Church lied, or mistreated them, or that they claimed the Church is false after reading some book or article about some historic account that tainted the Church, etc etc. With that, they professed the Church was false. 

Not one of their claims have originated from the Spirit of God, not one of their beliefs is spiritually based, not one is spiritually justified. Wouldn’t a spiritual basis be the foremost important reason for staying or leaving, knowing that it is only the spiritual that God works in and determines if a church is his?

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Let us briefly look at the focus of people in religious circles and what makes they faithful or not.

A person who reads the scriptures and from what is read, makes the effort to follow the teachings found in God’s word. Whether this be from the Bible or both the Bible and Book of Mormon, this person shows to be a good person doing good things. Assisting others, helping the hungry and needy, volunteers to groups that helps others as the sick, handicap, the less fortunate. Never seeking contention or endless argument or debate, but seeks edifying discussions that serves to strengthen or sustain good faith. Whether a member of this Church or not, this person shows the “spirit” chosen for their life and daily focus. For a good part of their daily life, they are peaceful and cheerful.

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Insights do come to the faithful as to how his scriptural passages work with each other and to realize their true application. This is where true understanding of the gospel occurs.

It has been no surprise to me that insights or inspiration is a crucial part of learning the word of God. It is always by this method that we can learn how to understand the word of God and learn how God works. It is no different with how God protects his Church and his faithful. 

It was with these insights that I learned about the “Gate of Authority”. A term that I use to describe how God protects his Church against Satan.

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When I was approached by the LDS missionaries, I felt the Holy Ghost confirm that meeting was important. The Holy Ghost later confirmed that my membership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was good and true. At no time did I have any concern about any “alledged” immoral actions of other Mormons.  My attendance to this Church was led by the Spirit, not by personal judgements of other people. 

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Usually it is the simplest thing that eludes our perceptions such that, what we think we see or understand is actually not the truth.

Life holds many such experiences, yet people take these experiences and facts of life (in mortality) for granted. Not realizing that these simple things have profound affects on our minds and hearts.

One such event came into my life years ago when I was beginning my membership into the Church. At that time I had no experience with the gospel, but had my own ideas and beliefs about spirituality and life. Of course, these personal ideas and beliefs were born of the world.

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