My kids will never know how much I sacrificed to bring them into this world. the sleepless nights, the personal transformations, the pain…
And you know what?
It’s okay.
I don’t understand all the intricacies of what my own parents did day in and day out to provide the life for me that I had.
And then I think about my spiritual heritage.
All 16 of my great-great-great grandparents on my mom’s side joined the church at some point, usually at a great physical or financial sacrifice.
And I’ve got a similar spiritual heritage on my father’s side.
I will never fully understand what they had to give up, the hard decisions they had to make, and the cost of their consistency and devotion to the gospel.
And it’s okay that I don’t fully understand (although I love learning their stories).
What Joseph Smith sacrificed to bring forth the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and numerous other revelations is incomprehensible.
“The reader in every nation will be reminded that the Book of Mormon, and this book of Doctrine and Covenants of the church, cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring them forth for the salvation of a ruined world.” (D&C 135:6)
He sacrificed his own life for the cause.
I will never fully understand what that is like.
And I will never fully understand what my Savior Jesus Christ did for me, and continues to do for me.
I learn, I study, I receive blessings, and I get little glimpses into what He has done.
But I’ll never truly “get it”.
Not understanding the extreme sacrifices of our predecessors is a natural, short-sighted, human thing to do.
But that doesn’t excuse me from the opportunity to be grateful.
To reflect on what my family members, both near and far, have done for me.
To ponder on the prophet Joseph and other spiritual leaders.
And to revere my Savior for His great atoning sacrifice and continued, sustaining help.
I will never fully understand all the sacrifices made to give me the plethora of privileges I enjoy.
But I can still learn about them and feel extreme gratitude for those who have given me my firm foundation.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
