Study Guide for "Giving Holiness to the Lord"

In this talk, Bishop L. Todd Budge shares his experiences and insights regarding the principle of sacrifice and its role in our spiritual journey. He discusses how the members of the Church have made a significant impact through their contributions to the Church's humanitarian efforts, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. He also redefines the concept of sacrifice as "giving to the Lord" rather than "giving up" something. He emphasizes that through sacrifice, we can become holy and draw closer to God.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

How does Bishop Budge redefine the concept of sacrifice?
What is the role of sacrifice in our spiritual journey?
What impact have the members of the Church made through their contributions to the Church's humanitarian efforts?
How can we become holy and draw closer to God?
What does it mean to give holiness to the Lord?

Topics

Understanding the Role of the Presiding Bishopric

Bishop Budge shares his experiences and insights from serving in the Presiding Bishopric, which oversees the welfare and humanitarian work of the Church. The Church's humanitarian efforts span across the globe and bless more people than ever before.

Among many other things, the Presiding Bishopric oversees the welfare and humanitarian work of the Church. This work now spans the entire globe and blesses more of God’s children than ever before.

What responsibilities does the Presiding Bishopric have in the Church?
How does the Church's welfare and humanitarian work bless God's children?
How can you contribute to the welfare and humanitarian work of the Church?
How has the Church's welfare and humanitarian work impacted your life or the lives of people you know?

Recognizing the Saints" Contributions to Humanitarian Efforts

Despite the economic challenges brought by the COVID-19 crisis, the Saints have made significant monetary contributions, resulting in the Church's most extensive humanitarian response. These contributions have been used to provide life-sustaining resources to those in need.

Humanitarian donations in 2020 turned out to be the highest ever—and are trending even higher this year. As a result of your generosity, the Church has been able to realize its most extensive response since the inception of the Humanitarian Fund, with over 1,500 COVID relief projects in more than 150 countries.

How have the Saints" contributions made a difference during the COVID-19 crisis?
What impact have these contributions had on global humanitarian efforts?
How can you contribute to the Church's humanitarian efforts?
How does giving to the Church's humanitarian efforts make you feel?

Redefining the Concept of Sacrifice

Bishop Budge redefines the concept of sacrifice as "giving to" rather than "giving up". He explains that sacrifice is a process of becoming holy and coming to know God. The Lord desires our hearts and wants us to become new creatures in Christ.

Sacrifice is less about “giving up” and more about “giving to” the Lord.

The Lord wants us to become holy, to be possessed of charity, and to come to know Him.

Ultimately, the Lord wants our hearts; He wants us to become new creatures in Christ.

What does it mean to "give to" the Lord?
How does sacrifice help us become holy and come to know God?
What does the Lord desire from us?
How can you "give to" the Lord in your daily life?
How has sacrifice helped you become closer to God?
What changes can you make to become a new creature in Christ?

Experiencing the Joy of Generously Giving

When we view our sacrifices as gifts to the Lord, they become expressions of our gratitude and love for the Savior and our fellow men. Bishop Budge shares the story of Steve and Anita Canfield, who found fulfillment in serving among people who had lost nearly everything.

When viewed from the perspective of “giving to” the Lord, our sacrifices on behalf of others become gifts, and the joy of generously giving becomes its own reward.

There is no degree of career success or material gains that could have equaled the way that these experiences, serving among the humblest of God’s children, enriched us.”

What is the difference between "giving up" and "giving to" the Lord?
How can our sacrifices become expressions of our gratitude and love for the Savior and our fellow men?
How can you give more generously to the Lord and others?
How have your sacrifices enriched your life?
How can you find joy in generously giving?

Becoming Holier through Giving

Bishop Budge emphasizes that we can become holier as we live for God and others by giving of our means, time, and ourselves. He expresses his gratitude for the sacrifices that the Saints give to the Lord.

Dear brothers and sisters, as we live for God and others by giving of our means, our time, and yes, even of ourselves, we are leaving the world a little greener, leaving God’s children a little happier, and in the process, becoming a little holier.

How can we become holier by giving?
What does it mean to live for God and others?
How can you give more of your means, time, and yourself to God and others?
How has giving made you a holier person?
What changes can you make to live more for God and others?