“Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require
the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith
necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the
faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be
obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this
sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal
life;.... When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the
truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he
has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does
know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering,
and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these
circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on
eternal life” (Lectures on Faith by the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr).
