The principle of sacrifice sits at the center of the gospel of Jesus Christ and has shaped worship across dispensations. From Adam to the tabernacle to Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, God asked His people to offer animals without blemish, pointing forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose Atonement would fulfill those earlier offerings and offer redemption from our sins.
Those sacrifices did more than mark obedience. They taught people to give something of value, avoid attachment to temporal things, and to trust in a Redeemer they could not yet see.
Even without a physical altar, that pattern continues today—because Christ fulfilled the offering, not the principle.
Sacrifice Defines True Worship
Gordon B. Hinckley taught, “Sacrifice is the very essence of religion; it is the keystone of happy home life, the basis of true friendship, the foundation of peaceful community living, of sound relations among people and nations…Without sacrifice there is no true worship of God.”
That teaching connects sacrifice directly to every meaningful relationship we build. The tabernacle required offerings before worship could take place, and our daily choices to give time, attention, and resources follow that same pattern of intentional devotion.
Sacrifice Leads to Personal Growth
President Ezra Taft Benson said, “If you would find yourself, learn to deny yourself for the blessing of others. Forget yourself and find someone who needs your service, and you will discover the secret to the happy, fulfilled life.”
This idea challenges the assumption that sacrifice leaves us with less. When we step outside our own concerns and serve someone else, we gain clarity about what matters and develop a stronger sense of purpose.
Sacrifice Prepares Us for Eternity
President Dallin H. Oaks explained, “I believe that Latter-day Saints who give unselfish service and sacrifice in worshipful imitation of our Savior adhere to eternal values to a greater extent than any other group of people. Latter-day Saints look on their sacrifices of time and means as a part of their schooling and qualifying for eternity…Just as the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is at the center of the plan of salvation, we followers of Christ must make our own sacrifices to prepare for the destiny that plan provides for us.”
That perspective reframes sacrifice as preparation instead of loss. The offerings connected to the tabernacle followed a clear structure that guided people toward holiness, and our sacrifices still shape who we become over time.
What We Place on the Altar Matters
President Spencer W. Kimball taught that we must first “eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind.” He then instructed that we must “cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other” and finally “lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord.”
Those instructions remove any ambiguity about what sacrifice requires. The image of the altar matters here, because offerings in the tabernacle did not happen casually or accidentally, and neither do the sacrifices the Lord asks from us now.
Sacrifice Changes Our Hearts
Carol B. Thomas said, “Sacrifice is an amazing principle. As we willingly give our time and talents and all that we possess, it becomes one of our truest forms of worship. It can develop within us a profound love for each other and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through sacrifice our hearts can be changed; we live closer to the Spirit and have less of an appetite for things of the world.”
This teaching focuses on what happens inside us as we sacrifice. When we give consistently, we train our desires, strengthen our connection to the Spirit, and reduce our attachment to things that do not last.
Sacrifice in Our Lives Today
As we move into a week focused on sacrifice and the tabernacle, the question shifts from ancient practice to personal application. We no longer bring animals or grain to an altar, but we still choose what we will offer and whether we will hold anything back.
That choice shows up in ordinary moments: giving time when schedules feel tight, letting go of pride in a conversation, or choosing obedience when it costs something. Each act follows the same pattern the Lord established long ago, and each one draws us closer to Him through trust and covenant commitment.
Do you have a favorite quote about sacrifice that has touched your life? Share it in the comments below.
This article was originally published September 10, 2019 and has been updated.
Aleah is a graduate of Southern Virginia University, where she studied English, Creative Writing, and Dance. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. She currently hosts the podcast “Single to the Glory” about singlehood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aleah served a mission in California and loves baking, Lang Leav poetry, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and Bollywood movies.
