Sacrifice has always been required of missionaries. Leaving home, family, and friends, missionaries go forth at their own expense to share important principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ with people all over the world.
While the sacrifice is great, the rewards that are promised to those who put God first are incredible.
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt. 16:24–25.)
A Strange Land to Sojourn Among Strangers
Brigham Young recorded: “In company with several of the Twelve I was sent to England in 1839. We started from home without purse or scrip, and most of the Twelve were sick; and those who were not sick when they started were sick on the way to Ohio; Brother Taylor was left to die by the roadside, by old Father Coltrin, though he did not die.
I was not able to walk to the river, not so far as across this block, no, not more than half as far; I had to be helped to the river in order to get into a boat to cross it. This was about our situation. I had not even an overcoat; I took a small quilt from the trundle bed, and that served for my overcoat, while I was traveling to the State of New York, where I had a coarse satinette overcoat given to me. Thus we went to England, to a strange land to sojourn among strangers.” (Preston Nibley, Missionary Experiences, Bookcraft, 1975, p. 90.)¹
Forget Yourself
“You want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause, and bend your efforts to helping people” – Gordon B. Hinckley (in Church News, Sept. 9, 1995, 4).
Sacrifice for the Joy of Others
“Sacrifice is made sweet to us when we treasure the joy it brings to another heart.”—President Henry B. Eyring, “Gifts of Love”
A Sacrifice is an Investment
“I promise you that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make.” – Gordon B. Hinckley
Willing Servants
“We are frequently asked, “How do you persuade your young people and your older members to leave their schooling or their retirement to sacrifice in this way?” I have heard many give this explanation: “Knowing what my Savior did for me—His grace in suffering for my sins and in overcoming death so I can live again—I feel privileged to make the small sacrifice I am asked to make in His service. I want to share the understanding He has given me.” How do we persuade such followers of Christ to serve? As a prophet explained, “We [just] ask them.”7
Sacrifice is Love
“Sacrifice is a demonstration of pure love. The degree of our love for the Lord, for the gospel, and for our fellowman can be measured by what we are willing to sacrifice for them.” – M. Russell Ballard
