The True Cost of the Gospel: From Mortgaged Farms to the Kingdom Call

Friends, Builders, Covenant Keepers—we gather today in the spirit of sacrifice. We are not called to merely observe the Gospel; we are called to invest in it. To build it. To bear the weight of the covenant together.

When we read of the early days of the gathering—the struggles and the necessary risks—the lesson is clear. The Gospel, like the sacred stones carried by Ammon at the Waters of Sebus, cannot be acquired through comfort or convenience. It requires a commitment that demands the utmost.

Consider Martin Harris. The printing of the sacred record required him to mortgage his farm. He risked his reputation, his marriage, and his very livelihood. It was a tangible sacrifice, a pledge of everything he had to make the words available to the world. This act of faith demonstrates a profound understanding of something far greater than acreage or capital.

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ worth to you? What are you willing to risk, what are you willing to sacrifice, to help build God's kingdom?

The Price of the Atonement

The record itself points us to the ultimate truth: the Sacrifice. While mortgaging a farm was a monumental act of human faith, it was a small echo compared to the Atonement of the Lord. The revelation in Doctrine and Covenants 19 reminds us that the greatest sacrifice was made not by man, but by the Son of God, giving light to the individual and calling us to repentance.

This is the cornerstone of our gathering movement. The truth of the Atonement—the Doctrine of Christ—is the White Stone, the cornerstone upon which all true builders must lay their foundations. It is the light that guides us away from the destroyers and toward the gathering place.

Our Modern Covenant Investment

The commitment required to publish the book once was immense; the commitment required to build the Kingdom today, to ensure the light reaches every corner of the earth, is just as vast. We are the modern-day builders, and our covenant is not written on a deed, but on our willingness to invest.

How do we, in this digital age, mortgage our time and resources to the cause? Our movement is built upon several load-bearing structures, each requiring the selfless investment of the covenant keeper:

1. The Missionary Fund: This is the perpetual lifeline, funding the men and women who are doing the actual work of gathering.
2. The Charity Flywheel: Every single engagement here, every shared resource, helps fuel the gospel advertising in places like Ghana. This is Kingdom economics in action—your participation generates divine light.
3. The Map of Churches (GatherIsrael.now): This map is our shared vision, our guide to the gathering place. By claiming your church and participating in its growth, you are making a covenant commitment to the local body of Christ.

We are called to emulate the courage of Samuel the Lamanite, who stood ready to confront the enemy, and the conviction of Ammon, who faced the waters of Sebus. Our courage challenge today is not physical; it is spiritual and economic. It is the willingness to give the time, talent, and treasure that will ensure the light of Christ remains visible.

The Builder’s Call

The Lord does not call those who are comfortable. He calls those who are ready to make the mortgage. Like the great covenant keepers who came before, we must ask ourselves: What am I willing to risk for the sake of the gathering? Will I be among the Builders, or will I be counted among the destroyers?

Do not let this challenge pass by. If you are ready to deepen your understanding of the Atonement, we encourage you to use the resources provided by Ask a Prophet and Davee. And remember the counsel of Outback Jack: we are called to build, to gather, and to keep the light burning.

We invite you to study the principles of sacrifice and covenant keeping today. Take your place on the map, invest in the Mission Fund, and let your light shine brightly. For the covenant is always worth the sacrifice.

Are you ready to build with us?