Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the April 2000 conference.

In our most recent Relief Society meeting an announcement was made about an upcoming Family Search Open House. On the invitation there were three dates at three different buildings in the stake. Everyone wanted to know which was closest and there was some talk about not wanting to drive very far to get there. Which is fairly common in our branch. Few are willing to drive to stake functions because the stake center is about two hours away. Not to toot my own horn, but I have found that there are many blessings awaiting those who go the distance and physically attend stake meetings, rather than just watching the broadcast in the branch building.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke of not forgetting the Lord in our abundance. He recounted many of the early saints and their sacrifices toward building the Kingdom of God. As I listened to the stories I thought of the sisters in Relief Society and wondered if they realized the great blessings they are depriving themselves and their families of by complaining about distances and then not attending meetings or even the temple which is two to three hours away (depending on where you live in the branch boundaries). I know I have had many tender mercies and grand blessings from sacrificing the time and money to travel to meetings held in far off stake centers. 

Elder Holland told the touching story of Brother John R. Moyle walking 22 miles from Alpine to Salt Lake City to work on the temple, including chiseling the declaration "Holiness to the Lord".  A film was made of his story called Only A Stonecutter. 

He concluded, May we do as much with the blessings we have been given as they did out of the deprivations so many of them faced. In such abundance many we never "forget the Lord" nor "go after other gods," but always be "an holy people unto the Lord." If we do so, those that hunger and thirst for the word of the Lord will continue to come "as doves to [our] windows." They will come seeking peace and growth and salvation. I we live our religion they will find all of that and more.