Seventh Times the Charm

Every time we get new missionaries we teach them about consecration. We use Moses chapter 5 to teach them about offering a sacrifice that is acceptable to God. I always teach that Adam offered sacrifices of the best of his flock because it was in similitude of the sacrifice of the Son of God and was a way to help him appreciate the atonement of the Savior. While preparing this training for the 7th time today I learned something new that had a great impact on me:         Imagine you were Adam, and every time your flock of sheep had babies, you had to choose the very best one and sacrifice it. You couldn’t keep it to breed. You couldn’t use the wool. You couldn’t eat it. You couldn’t even let it grow up as a pet. You had to give up the best, most pefect lamb every time the ewes gave birth.         What would you learn from this experience if month after month, year after year, you gave your best to the Lord? (We know Adam did it for was a long time because the scriptures say so.)         I think you would learn to let go. You would learn not to get too attached to your possessions. You would soon learn that the sheep aren’t really yours anyway. You’re going to be giving them away. You would learn not to be materialistic. You would learn that everything you have place comes from the Lord in the first place. You would learn not to covet your own possessions. You would learn how to give your all to the Lord. You would learn consecration.         I think the first time you sacrificed the best of your flock, you might understand a little bit more how it feels to be God and give your Only Begotton Son to be sacrificed.   But I think after you gave your best away time and time again, you would learn that everything we have belongs to God. It’s pretty generous we get to keep for ourselves as much as we do.