What does it mean to place something on the altar of God? In the gospel of Jesus Christ, the symbolism of the altar appears throughout scripture—from ancient temple worship to our modern covenant discipleship. In this Anchor Point episode, we explore what it really means to place our challenges, desires, and even our will on the altar of the Lord and allow Him to sanctify both the offering and the offering giver.
Drawing from gospel principles familiar to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we discuss how the altar represents sacrifice, consecration, sanctification, and a broken heart and contrite spirit. How does the Lord use our trials, struggles, and sacrifices to shape us into disciples of Jesus Christ? And how does the act of surrendering something sacred to God become part of our covenant relationship with Him?
Elder Jaggi joins us in a thoughtful conversation about the deeper meaning of altars—both ancient and personal—and how disciples today can understand the spiritual purpose behind placing something on the altar of the Lord.
We reflect on what we personally place on the altar in our lives—our challenges, fears, hopes, and desires—and how the Lord uses those offerings to sanctify us in the process. Often the very things we bring to the altar become sacred as the Lord refines our hearts and aligns our will with His.
We also talk about prayer as a modern expression of the altar. When we kneel in prayer, we symbolically kneel at our own altar—bringing our burdens, gratitude, questions, and sacrifices before Heavenly Father. In those quiet moments, offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit, we allow God to transform us.
This conversation is a reminder that discipleship is not just about what we give up—it’s about what the Lord makes of us as we place our lives on His altar.
0:00 Why Elder Jaggi’s Message Matters
0:14 What the Altar Represents
0:40 Sanctification Through the Atonement
1:22 The Purpose of the Altar
1:46 Altars and the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ
1:53 A Personal Temple Experience
2:29 Taking Questions to Heavenly Father
2:44 When the Lord Answers Prayer
3:06 The Sanctifying Power of Prayer
3:34 Kneeling at Our Personal Altar
4:05 Offering a Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit
