Sacrifice in Marriage

Adam and Eve received the commandment to obey the commandments and offer the firstlings of their flocks. “And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me” (Moses 5:6). It is clear that Adam and Eve had developed a great faith in the Lord, and they were willing to obey His commandments, sacrificing their firstlings of their flocks. After that they learned that their sacrifice was “a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.” (Moses 5:7) 

 Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His son, for He loved His children, and Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice His life and submit His will to the will of His Father. What great examples of love we find in our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Adam and Eve!

I try to imagine the affliction of God watching His beloved son suffering for us, but even though, He had mapped the Plan of Salvation and through the atonement of His Son accomplished His work “…to bring to pass the immortality and the eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

I try to imagine the pain of Jesus Christ suffering for our sins, asking His father, “If thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” His agony was so hard that His “sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22 42,44). He had submitted His will to the will of His father. He is our great example of sacrifice.

How may we follow their example of sacrifice? What are we willing to sacrifice for the sake of our marriage? What are we going to put on the altar of sacrifice?

Some of the sacrifices we might offer could be selfishness, pride, negative thoughts, our love for money, pets, games, sports, relatives, etc. H. Wallace Goddard, said, “Each of us should pray for the heavenly help to make those sacrifices that will sanctify our relationships. As we enter our homes, we can use to beseech God to grant us grace, goodness, mercy, compassion, and patience. We can ask Father to help us see our partner and his or her struggles with the loving kindness with which He views them. In so doing, we place our time, our minds, and our hearts on the altar. That is the ultimate offering, the required sacrifice. Making this sacrifice is the heart and soul of the required obedience.” (Drawing heaven into Your Marriage, p. 44)

I am grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.I love Him more than I can say. I have learned that faith, obedience to the commandments, and sacrifice are fundamental to build a successful marriage. I want to see my husband as He sees him. I want to love my husband as He loves him. I want to put my life in the altar for my marriage. I want to be like Jesus.