In Christ's Steps: Stepping onto the Mount

The leaders have presented a new quarter theme for our mission: Step onto the Mount. They've based it on the idea of sacrifice ("to make sacred") and told us the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22).

I don't understand the story completely. In fact, I love Elder Oak's words:

I have contemplated on many occasions the story of Abraham and Isaac, and I still do not believe I fully comprehend Abraham’s faithfulness and obedience. Perhaps I can imagine him faithfully packing up to leave early one morning, but how did he take all those steps alongside his son Isaac over the three-day journey to the base of Mount Moriah? How did they carry the wood for the fire up the mountain? How did he build the altar? How did he bind Isaac and lay him on the altar? How did he explain to him that he would be the sacrifice? And how did he have the strength to lift the knife to slay his son? (Obedience through Our Faithfulness)

I've never been asked to do something like this; I hope I never am. However, I think that Stepping onto the Mount will involve sacrifice for me. I created / pondered an analogy this morning while I was running at the gym--and maybe this is silly, but bear with me.

When we came to this earth, we "kept our first estate" (Abraham 3:26). When I came on a mission, I basically kept my first estate--I passed the first test in just getting here. However, we are expected to keep our second estate while we are on earth, which involves following the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can't say that I did enough by coming on a mission; the mission itself has to be a sacrifice. I can do that by really giving it everything that I have. Whatever I'm holding onto needs to be given up.

That invitation extends to you. We are all on a mission (whether your name tag is magnetic plastic or written on your heart), and you have a work to do. What do you need to sacrifice to accomplish it?