Do You Need To Sacrifice Your Traditional Belief?

Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum
of the Twelve Apostle

In my case, I was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because I sacrificed my traditional faith of belief and I was willing to serve the Lord without pay just my time, effort and talent. I had a lot of things given up just to be baptized to the Mormon religion. And I did nurture my membership in this Church for 32 years.

These things I did were strengthened by the message of Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on sacrifice in the Saturday morning session of the 182nd Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah. It was rebroadcast in our respective meetinghouses here in the Philippines.

Last Seven Statements of Jesus To Live By

In my own unique way of interpreting them, I would like to share with you the last seven invaluable but memorable statements of Jesus while He was on the cross, humble enough for us to contemplate in this Good Friday:

1. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Those soldiers guarding Jesus who nailed on the cross were trying  to divide the raiment of Jesus. They tossed a dice to get possession of it. These kind of people were greedy, opportunists and possessive.

Greediness is one of the greatest sins of mankind.

2. "I say unto thee, Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

One of the criminals who was with Jesus on the cross acknowledged Him as His savior. He begged Jesus to remember him when He's in paradise. God is well-pleased to those who are repentant and have faith in the Lord. It's repentance and faith that could save mankind.

Don't Forget You're Invited To Come Unto Christ

Image, courtesy of Mel Avila Alarilla

Every lenten season Christ is always the center of everyone's worship. It takes them a week to revere Him, to recollect His sacrifices from womb to tomb. We should understand not only spiritually but practically to take Christ upon ourselves for it's a life-and-afterlife duty and responsibility not only for a moment, for an hour, for a day, for a year but for time and eternity.

Therefore, let's heed His invitation to come unto Him. Let's repent and be baptized for His name's sake. Let's examine ourselves. And do the following plain and simple work: