Hot Hot Heat

Because we are mortal, we have passed through the veil of forgetfulness and don't remember what we went through before we were born into this world. But God hasn't just sent us out without help. God has sent down the Holy Ghost to confirm truth to us.
There are lots of people who say "show me a sign" or I'll believe it when I see it. In an answer to a question, Elder Boyd K Packer told this story. If someone were to walk into this room holding a white hot branding iron and told you it was a hot iron, would you believe them more than if they blindfolded you and seared your skin with that same iron? And that is how our testimony of the Savior and truth should be. It should be a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead. John 3:27 "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."

What does that mean for us? Lets not be a "doubting Thomas", but be blessed because we believe and have not seen. I know that we can receive spiritual witnesses if we will seek. As God has said repeatedly in holy writ "Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 1:3) Another announcement of "Ask and ye shall receive". So if we want to have a spiritual experience we need to prepare ourselves. Is it likely that God will bless us with a spiritual experience if we have not been preparing ourselves? Not likely. So read the scriptures, say your prayers, and live a Christlike life and you'll be happier and have a better opportunity to have a "spirtually searing" experience.

Sacrifice

Sacrifice has been a part of the gospel from the begining. From the begining we all knew that Jesus Christ would be sacrificed for our sins. And from the begining of the world starting with Adam we know that God required man to make sacrifices.
And not just a sacrifice of our leftovers, but a sacrifice of the best. (Back in the day) They were required to sacrifice the best of their crops and herds. And that is the same sacrifice that God our Eternal Father made for us. He sacrificed His perfect son. The one "without blemish".
In Alma chapter 34 he talks about sacrifice and why we are to sacrifice, "Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice... then shall the ^claw of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away. And behold, this is the whole ^ameaning of the ^blaw, every whit ^cpointing to that great and last ^dsacrifice; and that great and last ^esacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, ^finfinite and eternal". So everything that we are supposed to sacrifice as a member of Christ's Church is to point us to Christ. We're asked to do some hard things. We're supposed to pay tithing, go to church every Sunday, hold a calling, and mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. And by doing all these, by living the principles of the gospel, it points us to Christ.
And as young men, we are asked to serve a full time mission. To dedicate our lives to His service. And think about it, we pay 1/10 in tithing. Then we go on missions for 2 years when we are about 20... And also think about the physical condition of your body at that time. Are you coming into the prime of your life? Are you giving the Lord "the best 2 years" of your life? You are.
In the church hymn "Praise to the Man", there is a line that strikes me, especially at this time, "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven". I have definitely seen that prophetic phrase come true in my life. From the time i embarked on my mission until even today the Lord has blessed the lives of me and my family. My older brother has made huge steps and is preparing for the blessings of the Temple. My sister in law has joined the fold of God and has been baptized. My sister and brother in law have been sealed to their family for eternity in the House of God.
God is real. He blesses us for sacrifice. It will be hard. There will be challenges. Life won't be easy, but in the end it will all be worth it.