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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?

The author, Mike Thomas of “Mormonism, A Gold Plated Religion”, posted on his blog site his article of why he believes Mormons are misunderstood. After reading it, I was disappointed, expecting more, but I was not surprised. He gave only one reason as to why Mormons are misunderstood. That reason proved to be a personal and biased one and it failed to address the real cause as to why Mormons are misunderstood.  His rationale to his personal reason came out halfway down his article, where it began with a question, “So why are Mormons so misunderstood?”. Mr. Thomas first referred to an official Mormon News Service of June 5, 2007 ( http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-centrality-of-christ ), where he quoted from the article,

“What is it that people find so difficult in accepting Mormons as Christians? – While others have their opinions, ‘in our terms,’ President Hinckley said, ‘we worship Christ.’”

I attended and read the LDS news article. I found that Mr. Thomas focused on one small part of the LDS news article, selecting only one quote, in an attempt to discount what he calls “The Mormon View” of why other Christians have difficulty in accepting Mormons. Before I comment on Thomas’s claims, allow me to provide more from the same LDS news article.

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Living the life of a Saint is not an easy task, because we are asked by the Lord to live spiritually, not worldly. We are to abide in the principles set forth in the gospel. We are to move ourselves away from the wiles of the flesh and remain chaste and virtuous.

To add to this daunting task, we received the Word of Wisdom from God which addresses the more simple things the world enjoys on a regular and daily basis. You know these things; liquor, coffee, tea, cigarettes, etc.

With all that we are tasked to do in order to remain a Saint, pure and virtuous, we must contend with the natural desires that come with mortality. As we move along, at times with much effort, we have our wishes and desires for things of the world. We are not human if these desires are absent.

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Over the years attending this Church, I have seen and heard some people volley strange ideas and precepts. Some I recognized were created by what the world calls “New Age” and others are simply a wild idea that got out of hand. I wondered why these people, who attend this Church which provides the doctrine of God, having prophets write and speak on many subjects, still run off with some wild ideas? 

I saw that this is not an unusual thing. When this Church began with the prophet Joseph Smith, the same thing happened. People began to expound all sorts of unusual beliefs and doctrines that did not come from the Lord. Some, who did not have the authority from God, believed that they can receive revelation for the Church. This occurred in the early Christian Church as well, so this phenomenon is something that is expected.

When a person shares a true inspiration from the Lord, what he/she says carries the spirit of truth in it. Those that are open to this spirit will receive it with feelings and thoughts of, “Umm, never thought of it that way”, spurring contemplation or deeper thought. These pearls seem to be infrequent, but what is more prevalent are ideas and precepts that are way out of line.

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