Sacrifices asked of members today may be more subtle, but no less demanding than those of the early pioneers, said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Council of the Twelve.

Elder Ballard spoke Sunday afternoon about the blessings received from the spirit of sacrifice."We must not lose the spirit of sacrifice. . . . Some of the Lord's choicest blessings await those who practice this eternal principle through extending themselves in service to God and to their fellowmen. The sanctifying spirit and the happiness that comes through service to others can bring peace and joy even amid trials."

He said the subject of sacrifice was prompted by a conference address last October by President Gordon B. Hinckley, who spoke about the handcart pioneers, who came to know God in their extremities "in a way few people will ever understand."

"Our pioneer ancestors gave everything, even their lives, for their faith and for building the kingdom of God when the Church was in its infancy," continued Elder Ballard.

"Their material means . . . were meager, but their love for one another and their devotion to their Lord and the gospel were boundless. Our commitment to the kingdom should match that of our faithful ancestors even though our sacrifices are different."

Today's challenges, he said, are to remain true and faithful to gospel principles amidst such "evil and destructive forces as dishonesty, corruption, drug and alcohol misuse, and disease often caused by sexual promiscuity. Hate and envy, greed and selfishness are all about us, and families are disintegrating at an every-increasing pace."

Elder Ballard explained that sacrifice is a demonstration of "pure love."

"The degree of our love for the Lord, for the gospel and for our fellowmen can be measured by what we are willing to sacrifice for them.

"Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ manifested the supreme example of this love. . . . His divine mission was culminated in a supreme act of love as He allowed His life to be sacrificed for us."

Considering His example, the sacrifices asked of us are "slight in comparison. We should, therefore, give gladly and count it as a blessing and opportunity."

He counseled parents to teach the principle of sacrifice to their children by example and by serving with a happy and grateful heart.

"Today we are not called to pull handcarts through the snow-swept plains of Wyoming. However, we are called to live, foster, and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our privilege to invest our means and our time to bless others," he said.

"Each one of us must do all we can to preserve our Latter-day Saint way of life. A vital part of this preservation is a willingness to set aside personal desires and replace them with unselfish sacrifice for others."