Concerning the Law of Sacrifice

Chapter 1

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My son, thou hast inquired of the Law of Sacrifice. From the beginning it was known, and from the foundation of the world it was prepared, that all who come unto me must do so with a willing heart and a living offering.

In the days of Adam, when your first parents walked in the lone and dreary world, the man built an altar and offered sacrifice. And when the angel of my presence came near unto him and asked why he did this thing, the man replied, I know not, save the Lord commanded me. Yea, this pleased me greatly, for Adam acted in faith.

And the angel said, This is in the likeness of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

Know ye, my son, that I own the earth and all that is upon it. Man may build and labor and gather, yet the elements remain mine. What then can he offer unto me?

Behold, I say unto thee, the only thing he truly owns is his will, his soul, his body, and the words of his mouth. And it is these that I desire.

Adam offered not merely the beasts of the field, but his heart, yea, even a broken heart and a contrite spirit. His sacrifice was a living testimony that he would obey me in all things, even when he understood not. This is what I accept.

And now I say unto thee, consider Abel and Cain. For Abel was pure in heart, and his offering was full. He gave the firstlings of his flock as a sign. But the true sacrifice was within him, his humility, his love, and his full devotion.

But Cain's offering was empty. Though he brought the fruit of his field, his heart was proud. He believed that his labor alone would earn my favor. He sought reward before surrender, and he placed value upon his works more than upon my word.

Thus I say unto thee, the Law of Sacrifice is not about the tokens placed upon the altar. It is about the soul of the one who offers. I require a broken heart and a contrite spirit, not as punishment, but as power. For the broken shall be made whole, and the humble shall be lifted up.

And behold, my daughters also walk in the pattern of sacrifice. From the beginning I sanctified their offering. For they give of themselves, even their blood and their tears and their water, that life may continue.

They suffer for the sake of others, and they do it in silence and with courage. Therefore they are declared clean, and I do honor their sacrifice. Thus they are pronounced clean before me.

Let the sons of men learn from this pattern. Let them offer, not for praise nor for gain, but in thanksgiving and love. Let them give me their will, their mind, and their strength, not to be seen of men, but to be changed from within.

For this is the path of sanctification, and this is the foundation of the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. When a man or woman kneels before me with nothing to offer but themselves, truly they are clean. And if they continue faithful, they shall be sanctified, and I will call them mine, yea, even my sons and my daughters.

This offering is greater than gold. It is more pleasing to me than money, for it flows from gratitude, not from obligation. It draws down the Spirit and brings about the rebirth of the soul.

And again I say unto you, if one offers the fruit of their labors in the spirit of Abel, with love, with reverence, and with no thought of reward, this too is acceptable of me. For the token matters not without the heart.

Behold, while I hung upon the cross, I had already accomplished the Atonement through the power of the Holy Ghost. The labor was done, and I gave up the ghost freely.

Yet even in my final moments, I cared for my mother and forgave my persecutors. This too was part of the sacrifice.

Therefore, let all who call themselves my sons and my daughters consider my example. Let them live lives of sacrifice—not of pain and punishment, but of purpose and purity. For this is the law that governeth all holy orders.

Thus saith the Lord God.