Price of Discipleship
Price of Discipleship
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
August 12th, 2024
We enjoyed being with you last week in zone conferences. We hope you enjoyed the instruction provided. I felt it was one of our best weeks of zone conferences. Thank you for your participation. We look forward to the next two weeks of interviews.
When I was 11 years old, I wanted to own a 10-speed bicycle. The bike I wanted cost $98 at my local JC Penney’s. That was a lot of money for me. Fortunately, JC Penny’s allowed me to pay for the bike on layaway. This meant I could make payments every two weeks until the bike was paid off, then it was mine. I spent the summer weeding neighbor’s yards, walking dogs, and any other odd job I could find to make some money. After three months, I was able to purchase my bicycle. I loved that bike! I rode and cared for that bike for many years.
My wise parents wanted me to learn an important lesson for life – things of value come with a price.
We speak often in CASRM about lifelong discipleship to Jesus Christ. We do so because our discipleship is so very important. It is the most important thing we are to seek in life. Our discipleship to Jesus Christ comes at a price. The price of discipleship is paid through obedience and sacrifice to the commandments and will of the Lord. The Savior taught (Matthew 16:24):
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
The price of discipleship was understood by King David. When a man offered to give King David free oxen and free wood for his burnt offering, King David replied:
“Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: … [for I] will [not] offer … unto the Lord my God … that which doth cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24)
Our discipleship to Jesus Christ is earned as we pay the price through daily prayer, scripture study, reflecting on the goodness of God by recognizing the miracles of our missionary work, repentance, and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. These are things we can do each day as missionaries that will deepen our discipleship to the Savior.
As you serve here in CASRM, I hope you learn the important lesson I did at age 11 as I worked to purchase my bike – the best and most valuable things in life come with a price. In the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience and sacrifice are the price of discipleship. I promise these investments will pay you dividends in this life and through the eternities.
I pray you will take advantage of this time during your mission to exercise the obedience and sacrifice that will help you become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. The price is worth it! The promised blessings far exceed the price we pay to receive them.
Love,
President Quinn
(707) 758-6380
