Animal Sacrifice in Latter-day Temples

[kolipoki09]

Today our Gospel Doctrine class which my wife and I co-teach, we went over the first part of Ezekiel with Lesson 43: The Shepherds of Israel. Toward the end of the lesson we covered the prophecies of the restoration and the Book of Mormon found in Ezekiel 37, but also the promise of Latter-day Temples.

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. (Ezekiel 37: 26-28)

As we discussed verse 27 as it pertained to the tabernacle, I looked at the cross-reference to that verse found in D&C 124: 37-40 (particularly 39).

Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.

I posed a question to the class essentially asking them whether or not they knew that animal sacrifice would be performed in a Latter-day Temple(s) (presumably one of the 24 "temples" built in the plot outlined in Independence). Of the 95+ people in the class (half of our ward left for the holiday, so they combined everyone into mine), only THREE people had even heard of it, which included one member of our Bishopric. The rest of the class looked puzzled and a few hands went up eagerly wanting to tell me that I was wrong and misinterpreting LDS doctrine. I knew I'd opened up a can of worms.

One inquirer was adamant that I'd falsely interpreted the scripture, and since he'd never heard of it, with his logic it wasn't true (granted, this is a man who'd confessed to the class three weeks earlier that the only book of scripture he'd read in its entirety was the Book of Mormon). Regardless of what I had to say, the man kept badgering me that I'd gotten the interpretation wrong. Overall the lesson was great, save only the brief "theological scuffle" between myself and an inquiring but incredibly closed minded person.

I checked out what FAIR had written after I got home. Here's what I found:

JOSEPH SMITH: [Jehovah] continued to [Noah] the keys, the covenants, the power and the glory, with which he blessed Adam at the beginning; and the offering of sacrifice, which also shall be continued at the last time; for all the ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the Priesthood, under the directions and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation, therefore all things had under the authority of the Priesthood at any former period, shall be had again, bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the Holy Prophets; then shall the sons of Levi offer an acceptable offering to the Lord. 'And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord.' (See Mal. 3:3)....but those things which existed prior to Moses' day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued. (History of the Church 4:211).

JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH: Now in the nature of things, the law of sacrifice will have to be restored, or all things which were decreed by the Lord would not be restored. It will be necessary, therefore, for the sons of Levi, who offered the blood sacrifices anciently in Israel, to offer such a sacrifice again to round out and complete this ordinance in this dispensation. Sacrifice by the shedding of blood was instituted in the days of Adam and of necessity will have to be restored.

The sacrifice of animals will be done to complete the restoration when the temple spoken of is built; at the beginning of the millennium, or in the restoration, blood sacrifices will be performed long enough to complete the fulness of the restoration in this dispensation. Afterwards sacrifice will be of some other character. (Doctrines of Salvation 3:94)

While I noted to the class that the Atonement of Christ ended the sacrifice by the shedding of blood, it IS still a doctrinal stance that a sort of archetype of animal sacrifice will be performed during the millennium as a "memorial."

My only question is, will this be a literal spilling of blood through the death of the animal, or will it be a sort of symbolic gesture that imitates but does not actually involve the shedding of blood?

Since I'd like to clarify those things with the class next week, your answers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mapman]

I think that I read somewhere that Brigham Young wanted to have a room in the Salt Lake Temple for animal sacrifices. I'll see if I can find a reference.

[mapman]

From here: http://boap.org/LDS/BOAP/SecondEd/Draft-copy/JS-Commentary-on-BOA-Text.pdf pg. 65

Why send Elijah because he holds the Keys of the Authority to

administer in all the ordinances of the priesthood and without the

authority is given the ordinances could not be administered in

righteousness. It is a very prevalent opinion that in the sacrifices of

sacrifices which were offered were entirely consumed, this was not the

case if you read Leviticus [2] Chap [2-3] verses you will observe that

the priests took a part as a memorial and offered it up before the Lord,

while the remainder was kept for the benefit maintenance of the priests.

So that the offerings and sacrifices are not all consumed upon the Alter,

but the blood is sprinkled and the fat and certain other portions are

consumed These sacrifices as well as every ordinance belonging to the

priesthood will when the temple of the Lord shall be built and the Sons

Levi be purified be fully restored and attended to then all their powers,

ramifications, and blessings--this the Sons of Levi shall be purified.

ever was and will exist when the powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood

are sufficiently manifest. Else how can the restitution of all things

spoken of by all the Holy Prophets be brought to pass. It is not to be

understood that, the law of moses will be established again with all it

rights and variety of ceremonies, ceremonies, this had never been

spoken off by the prophets but those things which existed prior Moses's

day viz Sacrifice will be continued --It may be asked by some what

necessity for Sacrifice since the great Sacrifice was offered? In answer

to which if Repentance Baptism and faith were necessary to Salvation

existed prior to the days of Christ what necessity for them since that

time [This excerpt is from seemingly the only discourse of Joseph

Smith which was written before being delivered. It was given October

5, 1840. Original manuscript, in hand writing of Robert B. Thompson

(a clerk for Joseph Smith), Archives]

President Brigham Young discussed plans for a room in the Salt Lake Temple to be used

for animal sacrifices: "[speaking of the temple plan] Under the pulpit in the west end

[Aaronic priesthood end] will be a place to offer sacrifices. There will be an altar

prepared for that purpose so that when any sacrifices are to be offered, they should be

offered there." [Journal of Wilford Woodruff, December 18, 1857, Archives] [Floor plan

drawings done during construction of the Salt Lake Temple do not indicate such a room.]

[kolipoki09]

Thanks mapman!

The Assembly Hoom in the Salt Lake Temple does in fact have the Aaronic Priesthood pulpits as referenced by Brigham Young.

[NauvooSaint]

When the angel, John (the baptist), restored the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph & Oliver; he also made reference to the sons of Levi making an offering in righteousness in connection with this priesthood not again being taken from the Earth until that time. You might consider reading that for more insight. I believe Lee Palmer? in his book, 'Aaronic Priesthood Through the Centuries?' also speaks on this topic.

In my opinion, I feel that it wouldn't be appropriate to go into speculative topics/issues in church classes. I can understand your desire to dig into the unknown to find answers to such things, but feel it better to do so with others with similar desire. As an RLDS Restorationist, I question the need for animal sacrifice after the fullment of the Mosiac/Levitical Law in Jesus Christ. I'm of the view there was of necessity a change in the OT Levical to the NT Aaronic priesthood under the new covenant. Things that were once more of an outward expression of the old law, under Christ became a heart/inward living sacrifice of a disiciple's life to the Lord. You might also consider the law of circumsion between the OT, NT, BofM & D&C. One's heart being circumsized, etc.

It is quite impressive you found yourself in this topic through your studies. In my experience...not many people (LDS, RLDS, etc.) know about or get onto the topic regarding the sons of Levi.

[charity's child]

since it says specifically that the sons of Levi will be offering the sacrifice, why would it have to be in an LDS temple? Maybe the temple of Jerusalem will be rebuilt, or at least an altar?

[kolipoki09]

Bradley! My good friend from the Community of Christ Discussion Boards! Good to see you here at MADB.

When the angel, John (the baptist), restored the Aaronic priesthood to Joseph & Oliver; he also made reference to the sons of Levi making an offering in righteousness in connection with this priesthood not again being taken from the Earth until that time. You might consider reading that for more insight. I believe Lee Palmer? in his book, 'Aaronic Priesthood Through the Centuries?' also speaks on this topic.

I believe you're referring to D&C 13:1 (LDS Edition).

Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

In my opinion, I feel that it wouldn't be appropriate to go into speculative topics/issues in church classes. I can understand your desire to dig into the unknown to find answers to such things, but feel it better to do so with others with similar desire. As an RLDS Restorationist, I question the need for animal sacrifice after the fullment of the Mosiac/Levitical Law in Jesus Christ. I'm of the view there was of necessity a change in the OT Levical to the NT Aaronic priesthood under the new covenant. Things that were once more of an outward expression of the old law, under Christ became a heart/inward living sacrifice of a disiciple's life to the Lord. You might also consider the law of circumsion between the OT, NT, BofM & D&C. One's heart being circumsized, etc.

Animal sacrifice pre-dates the Mosaic Law. The other two sections of the D&C referring to the sons of Levi and their sacrifices in the LDS edition are 124:39 and 128:24. These were contained in the RLDS edition in sections 107 and 110 respectively, placed in the appendix in 1970 and removed completely in 1990.

Given the resources available, the subject isn't so much speculative as it is not well known. My Gospel Doctrine class has been a greatly rewarding experience for myself and those who have attended. Over the past year, the ward members have figured out that if they don't want something "deep," they don't have to attend our class and can attend a variety of classes to choose from. Overwhelmingly, people come to our class to learn those things that they may have never considered or pondered. Granted, we follow a general outline provided by the manual, but I try to teach my class in such a way that people can honestly say they "learned" something when they leave.

It is quite impressive you found yourself in this topic through your studies. In my experience...not many people (LDS, RLDS, etc.) know about or get onto the topic regarding the sons of Levi.

About two years ago I took a CES class on Church history by Richard Openshaw, one of the Religion Professors at BYU-Idaho. We talked about it then, and it wasn't a problem. But you're right, not a lot of people take the effort to study it.

[kolipoki09]

since it says specifically that the sons of Levi will be offering the sacrifice, why would it have to be in an LDS temple? Maybe the temple of Jerusalem will be rebuilt, or at least an altar?

Joseph Fielding Smith notes that it was going to be performed during the millennium. I suppose it could refer to the literal Kohenim building a new temple in Jerusalem, but in order to do so they would have to destroy the Dome of the Rock....which would probably start World Wars 3, 4, and 5.

I doubt the majority of Jews living today would favor animal sacrifice over Rabbinic Judaism. But I'm sure there are plenty of Orthodox Jews that would be happy to oblige.

[David T]

Joseph Fielding Smith notes that it was going to be performed during the millennium. I suppose it could refer to the literal Kohenim building a new temple in Jerusalem, but in order to do so they would have to destroy the Dome of the Rock....which would probably start World Wars 3, 4, and 5.

I doubt the majority of Jews living today would favor animal sacrifice over Rabbinic Judaism. But I'm sure there are plenty of Orthodox Jews that would be happy to oblige.

Many of the Jerusalem Temple articles have already been recreated, and there are Levitical Priest training classes already in session. check out the Temple Institute. Their philosophy is, we don't need to wait for Messiah to show up to get working on the Temple. Do all they can, and set everything in place so when the time comes, they'll be ready with the temple articles, and ready with trained and prepared priests.

Check out their sacred vessels and vestments gallery.

Here's an initiative to re-instate the Korban Pesach (Passover) Sacrifice on the Temple Mount ASAP.

[Chris Smith]

You may be interested in this post. Among other things, you'll find there a citation from the journal of Wandle Mace suggesting that animal sacrifice was actually performed in the Kirtland Temple on at least one occasion. John C. Bennett claimed animal sacrifice was performed at Nauvoo, as well.

[Robert F. Smith]

Many of the Jerusalem Temple articles have already been recreated, and there are Levitical Priest training classes already in session. check out the Temple Institute. Their philosophy is, we don't need to wait for Messiah to show up to get working on the Temple. Do all they can, and set everything in place so when the time comes, they'll be ready with the temple articles, and ready with trained and prepared priests.

Check out their sacred vessels and vestments gallery.

Here's an initiative to re-instate the Korban Pesach (Passover) Sacrifice on the Temple Mount ASAP.

Correct. You and Charity's Child are right on target. The Jews are prepared to sacrifice a red heifer and sprinkle the ashes on the Temple Mount in order to purify it and remove the curse which now prevents entry to any observant Jew. Only then can construction begin on their new temple. Meantime, Israeli law prohibits any consideration of taking the Temple Mount (the Muslim Haram es-Sherif) from the Muslims, so that some cataclysmic future event would be required to allow such construction, followed by reinstitution of animal sacrifice by the the men of the tribe of Levi.

Both rabbinic Judaism and LDS doctrine recognize the legitimacy of the priesthood of Aaron (the chief priesthood within the tribe of Levi) as a matter of lineal descent (D&C 68:18-20, 107:16-76), and they will offer animal sacrifice in the House of the Lord in Jerusalem -- an event which has strong Messianic implications (Malachi 3:2-3). This may also entail offerings by LDS members of the Aaronic priesthood elsewhere (D&C 84:18, 27, 31-43), although the practical details remain unclear.. At the same time, the Samaritans have not ceased offering animal sacrifice on Mt Gerizim, though this may currently be restricted to Passover. The Jews destroyed their temple there over two thousand years ago.

[Robert F. Smith]

I doubt the majority of Jews living today would favor animal sacrifice over Rabbinic Judaism. But I'm sure there are plenty of Orthodox Jews that would be happy to oblige.

Rabbinic Judaism is Orthodox Judaism, and the rabbis fully understand what reinstitution of the animal sacrifices would mean. There is no need for a poll to see what the majority of today's Jews think on this issue. Those who are observant have been longing for their temple to be rebuilt. It is only a question of when and how.

[kolipoki09]

Rabbinic Judaism is Orthodox Judaism, and the rabbis fully understand what reinstitution of the animal sacrifices would mean. There is no need for a poll to see what the majority of today's Jews think on this issue. Those who are observant have been longing for their temple to be rebuilt. It is only a question of when and how.

I've only mentioned this in light of the more "progressive" trends in Jewish thought over the more traditional, Orthodox thought. I have no doubt that the Orthodox Rabbis would have no problem going back to performing sacrifices, but I do see objections being raised by a number of mainstream Jewish sects that prefer good works over animal sacrifice, even in the event that the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt.

But you're right, "those who are observant" are in fact longing for that day when they can once again perform the rites of the Levitic traditions. The real question is, are most Jews (particularly progressive Judaism) "observant" of these things to the same extent that their Orthodox counterparts are.

I disagree with you that Rabbinic Judaism IS Orthodox Judaism, since Orthodox Jews believe the oral law came through Moses on Sinai and not with the close of the editing of the Talmud.

[Bill Hamblin]

There are some Orthodox Jews that believe that the Third Temple will be restored by the coming of the Messiah. (These groups oppose Third Temple movements.) Others believe that the Third Temple must be restored before the Messiah can return (These include the Temple Institute and other Third Temple related movements).

My view is that the Levites can only offer an offering in righteousness only after they have come unto Christ, not before. (Notice that biblical temple offerings do not have to be blood offerings. The most important offering in the Israelite view was the incense burnt on the golden altar before the veil of the Holy of Holies.) The return of the Jews to the Land as predicted in the BOM is described as coming after they come unto Christ (1 Ne 10.14; 1 Ne 15.14-15; 1 Ne 19.15; 2 Ne 6.8-11; 2 Ne 10.3-8; 3 Ne 5.23-26). Their offering will occur after that gathering. (The corollary of my interpretation is that the current state of Israel is not the gathering of the Jews predicted in the BOM, since they have not yet come unto Christ.)

[Robert F. Smith]

I've only mentioned this in light of the more "progressive" trends in Jewish thought over the more traditional, Orthodox thought. I have no doubt that the Orthodox Rabbis would have no problem going back to performing sacrifices, but I do see objections being raised by a number of mainstream Jewish sects that prefer good works over animal sacrifice, even in the event that the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt.

But you're right, "those who are observant" are in fact longing for that day when they can once again perform the rites of the Levitic traditions. The real question is, are most Jews (particularly progressive Judaism) "observant" of these things to the same extent that their Orthodox counterparts are.

I disagree with you that Rabbinic Judaism IS Orthodox Judaism, since Orthodox Jews believe the oral law came through Moses on Sinai and not with the close of the editing of the Talmud.

It is true that American Judaism is strongly Reform and Conservative, but any conversions by rabbis from those movements are not considered real conversions by the Orthodox rabbis, and Orthodoxy is normative in the State of Israel. That means that a gentile who converts to Judaism must have an Orthodox conversion in order to be considered Jewish by the State of Israel. Weddings there must be Orthodox, or they don't exist. Consequently, mixed marriages of any kind must be performed outside the State of Israel in order to be valid. Even then the children will not be considered Jewish unless the mother is Jewish by lineage or by Orthodox conversion.

You might want to consult with an Orthodox rabbi about the question of whether normative rabbinic Judaism is Orthodox or not. As to the oral law, it is the Talmud (Mishna & Gemara). Only the Qaraites reject the Talmud, as did the Essenes before them.

[Bill Hamblin]

Note also that, technically speaking, Israelite blood sacrifice never ended. The Samaritans practice annual blood Passover sacrifice (Qorban Pesach) by the ruins of their temple on Mt Gerezim (which Jesus mentions in John 4). I attended the sacrifice one year. The Samaritan High Priest claims descent from Aaron, by the way. Here are some photos:

My link

My link

You can google for videos too.

Note, too, that Muslims still do blood sacrifice at ?du l-

[Chris Smith]

Note, too, that Muslims still do blood sacrifice at ?du l-

[kolipoki09]

These comments have been really informative from everyone. By the way Bill, your 2008 SANE presentation on Ezekiel's vision of the heavenly chariot was extremely helpful for our lesson covering Ezekiel today.

Chris, thank you for bringing to my attention a potential historical precedence for the practice in Kirtland and Nauvoo. I'll definitely spend some more time looking into it.

[mapman]

I thought this quote from Chris' post was especially interesting:

The members of the Church are reminded that the practice of polygamous or plural marriage is not the only law whose suspension has been authorized by the Lord and adopted by the people. The law of animal sacrifice, in force in ancient Israel, has been suspended, but the Prophet Joseph asserted it would be again restored, and such is the effect of the statement made by John the Baptist when restoring the Aaronic priesthood. The law of the United Order has likewise been suspended, to be reestablished in the due time of the Lord. Other laws might be mentioned. [Messages of the First Presidency, vol 5, p. 327]

[mapman]

I looked at photographs of the floor plans of the Salt Lake Temple. It is true that they don't show a room for sacrifices under the Aaronic priesthood stand, but it is also true that none of them show what is under it at all, so for all I know it could be there.

[Glenn101]

I thought this quote from Chris' post was especially interesting:

The members of the Church are reminded that the practice of polygamous or plural marriage is not the only law whose suspension has been authorized by the Lord and adopted by the people. The law of animal sacrifice, in force in ancient Israel, has been suspended, but the Prophet Joseph asserted it would be again restored, and such is the effect of the statement made by John the Baptist when restoring the Aaronic priesthood. The law of the United Order has likewise been suspended, to be reestablished in the due time of the Lord. Other laws might be mentioned. [Messages of the First Presidency, vol 5, p. 327]

Is this something that will be performed perpetually after its restoration, or something that will be performed in some instance or instances "as a memorial" by the Levites?

Glenn

[volgadon]

Many of the Jerusalem Temple articles have already been recreated, and there are Levitical Priest training classes already in session. check out the Temple Institute. Their philosophy is, we don't need to wait for Messiah to show up to get working on the Temple. Do all they can, and set everything in place so when the time comes, they'll be ready with the temple articles, and ready with trained and prepared priests.

Check out their sacred vessels and vestments gallery.

Here's an initiative to re-instate the Korban Pesach (Passover) Sacrifice on the Temple Mount ASAP.

I remember seeing in a bookstore in Israel a book they had on Passover in the temple era, but I was broke at the time. Oh well. That same year I think they ran into heavy protests by our local version of PETA.

The Temple Institute is following in the footsteps of the Vilna Gaon, the greatest spiritual giant in Judaism since the Talmudic era, even greater in status than Maimonides. Yes that is saying a lot. His preoccupation was with bringing about the redemption of the children of Israel. In order to bring about said redemption, there had to be an awakening below and an awakening above. In other words, human efforts bring about a divine response. The Gaon redacted the Sefer Yetzirah and attempted to create a golem. He also had a special, mystical arrangement of the Passover plate, solved the mathematical problems associated with Ezekiel description of the third temple, and encouraged one of his disciples to translate Euclid and Josephus into Hebrew. These were all in aid of understanding the scriptures and rabbinic teachings on the temple, in order for it to be built! His followers emigrated to Israel early in the 19th century, engaged in messianic agitation, yet when 1840, then 1845 came and went without the Messiah, they became deeply disillusioned, and now are representatives of the most trenchant, reactionary Judaism imaginable.

[volgadon]

Although Israelite sacrifice at the Jerusalem temple did end with the destruction of the temple by the Romans in AD 70, it was probably temporarily reinstituted on three occasions: 1- Bar Kochba Rebellion (AD 132-135); 2- During the reign of Julian the Apostate (AD 362-3); and 3- Briefly during the Sassanid Persian rule in Jerusalem (AD 614-629)

All three were deeply eschatological events.

[Jason]

The current endowment makes it clear that blood sacrifice terminated with the sacrifice of the Savior.

It is prophecied that the Levites will indeed make a future offering in righteousness, but does that mean this future offering will involve animal sacrifice?

[DispensatorMysteriorum]

It seems to me that the book of the Doctrine and Covenants makes it clear that the "Sons of Levi" are actually members of the church and the sacrifice to be offered happens in our temples routinely and is, therefore, already being fulfilled. I think the culmination of the prophecy will happen when Christ returns.

31 Therefore, as I said concerning the sons of Moses