Keywords

Abraham, LDS scripture, sanctified, humbled

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In a revelation given through the Prophet Joseph Smith in December 1833, the Lord said that the persecuted Saints in Missouri “must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was commanded to offer up his only son. For all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:4–5). [1] The road to sanctification requires many steps and is not the result of a single Abrahamic trial. As Elder Richard G. Scott taught, an “absolute requisite of ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit’ prescribes the need to be submissive, compliant, humble (that is, teachable), and willingly obedient”[2] are all necessary for this soul-cleansing process. If we desire to “have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, . . . whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white” (Alma 5:24), then we must expect to experience a similar process as Abraham. President Spencer W. Kimball explains how this Abrahamic process relates to us: “We must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord. We begin by offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We follow this by giving our best effort in our assigned fields of labor and callings. We learn our duty and execute it fully. Finally, we consecrate our time, talents, and means as called upon by our file leaders and as prompted by the whisperings of the Spirit.”[3]