Animal Sacrifice Restored

[thesometimesaint]

The Jews at the Temple Institute in Israel are unlikely to give much heed to your absolute declarations.  https://www.templeinstitute.org/ .  I always recommend humility in making predictions about the future.  Your non-prophetic predictions here are likely to come back and bite you, unless you think yourself an authentic prophet of God.

 

To be fair Jews don't believe that Jesus Christ was a sacrifice. At best they believe The Savior has yet to come.

[Robert F. Smith]

To be fair Jews don't believe that Jesus Christ was a sacrifice. At best they believe The Savior has yet to come.

Well, of course.  That goes without saying.  However, that does not in any way negate what I have said.

[Bobbieaware]

Duplicate

Edited May 16, 2015 by Bobbieaware

[Bobbieaware]

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.172-173; History of the Church 4:210-212.

Sacrifice to Be Part of Restoration

It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.,] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets.

The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation. . ."

http://emp.byui.edu/marrottr/AnimalSacrificesFuture.pdf

Robert a couple questions for you from the above quote

1. In the quote above it says "Sacrifice to Be Part of Restoration". Do you believe that the actions of Jews who reject Christ and his teachings would be considered part of the "Restoration"?

2. It says "The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation." Yet you said "I see no reason for the LDS priesthood to restore animal sacrifice". It appears that your position is in opposition to what Joseph Smith stated.

The Prophet Joseph Smith is correct: In the temples of the LDS Church there are rites of sacrifice that go on continually day and night. But the sacrificial rites performed in our temples are SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES, the kind of "post-atonment" sacrifices of which the Apostle Peter spoke. Because of their sacred nature I cannot discuss these spiritual sacrifice here, but I can illuminate the subject obliquely by discussing the ordinance of baptism -- for water baptism is like unto the spiritual sacrifices of the temple...

In the ordinance of baptism, the symbolic images of sacrificial death and burial are powerfully present. The initiate ritually "dies" and is laid in the watery grave in the likeness of the suffering, death and burial of Christ. But note that although the ordinance is a symbolic reinactment of the sacrificial death of Christ, not a drop of real blood is shed. Rather, blood is SYMBOLICALLY present in both the "death" of the initiate and in the water the initiate is immersed that symbolizes the precious blood of Christ by which we are washed and cleansed from all sin. The ordinances of the temple are similarly pregnant with symbolism of the blood of Christ, but no actual blood is ever shed.

Nowhere in the quote you supplied from the Prophet Joseph Smith does it say the sacrifices of which he spoke will be blood animal sacrifices. Sorry to burst your bubble. The following quote from the Savior in the Book of Mormon makes my point perfectly clear:

18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not. (3 Nephi 9)

And now Peter:

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2)

Edited May 16, 2015 by Bobbieaware

[Russell C McGregor]

The Prophet Joseph Smith is correct: In the temples of the LDS Church there are rites of sacrifice that go on continually day and night. But the sacrificial rites performed in our temples are SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES, the kind of "post-atonment" sacrifices of which the Apostle Peter spoke. Because of their sacred nature I cannot discuss these spiritual sacrifice here, but I can illuminate the subject obliquely by discussing the ordinance of baptism -- for water baptism is like unto the spiritual sacrifices of the temple...

[Trimmed for brevity]

 

Good post, Bobbie.  Clear, well-argued and with appropriate scriptural citations.

 

You nailed it.

[Robert F. Smith]

Canadaigua asked "Do LDS believe that they will be the ones who will restore animal sacrifice in the future?"

 

My response would be that most LDS members do not ask the question because they are unaware of the issue.  So most LDS members have no belief on the matter.  For those who are aware, opinions vary.

 

We discussed this matter on another thread not long ago, and I don't believe that any overwhelming conclusion was reached there.  Everyone is entitled to an opinion.  I have repeatedly suggested that it is the Jews who will restore animal sacrifice for a time, in Jerusalem.  That is currently what they intend to do.  I see no reason for the LDS priesthood to restore animal sacrifice, and the Jews are unlikely to pay any heed to what the Mormons think on the matter.

...........................................................................................    

Robert a couple questions for you from the above quote

 

1.  In the quote above it says "Sacrifice to Be Part of Restoration".  Do you believe that the actions of Jews who reject Christ and his teachings would be considered part of the "Restoration"?

When Apostle Orson Hyde knelt in prayer on Mt Olivet to dedicate Palestine to the gathering of the Jews, those were then the same Jews who reject Christ as the Son of God and Messiah.  That did not cause Elder Hyde to hesitate.  The gathering of the Jews to their ancient homeland is therefore certainly part of the Restoration of All Things prophesied by Joseph Smith and the Old and New Testament prophets.  Those who only believe that selected parts of prophecy will be fulfilled can of course reject an actual Restoration.

 

2.  It says "The offering of sacrifice has ever been connected and forms a part of the duties of the Priesthood. It began with the Priesthood, and will be continued until after the coming of Christ, from generation to generation."  Yet you said "I see no reason for the LDS priesthood to restore animal sacrifice".  It appears that your position is in opposition to what Joseph Smith stated.

A lot of straining out gnats and swallowing camels here.

Perhaps for you all sacrifice is only animal sacrifice, and you therefore automatically find fault with Joseph Smith.  Also, perhaps for you all Priesthood is Mormon Priesthood, which demonstrates considerable ignorance of the formal LDS recognition of (1) Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods within the LDS Church, along with (2) Aaronic Priesthood lineage among the Jews.  Both are formally recognized by the D&C as separate functions/traditions.  Of course, it is possible for you to reject one or both of these on an apriori basis.  Suit yourself.  But be aware that both apriorism and radical selectivity of proof texts are the basis of modern, rampant denominationalism.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Robert F. Smith

[Canadaigua]

On May 18, 2015 at 6:41 PM, Robert F. Smith said:

Perhaps for you all sacrifice is only animal sacrifice, and you therefore automatically find fault with Joseph Smith.  Also, perhaps for you all Priesthood is Mormon Priesthood, which demonstrates considerable ignorance of the formal LDS recognition of (1) Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods within the LDS Church, along with (2) Aaronic Priesthood lineage among the Jews.  Both are formally recognized by the D&C as separate functions/traditions.  Of course, it is possible for you to reject one or both of these on an apriori basis.  Suit yourself.  But be aware that both apriorism and radical selectivity of proof texts are the basis of modern, rampant denominationalism.

Robert lets look at a quote from an official LDS manual (which I have previously quoted in a prior post) to see if animal sacrifice is specifically mentioned.

 

LDS.org—>Scriptures and Study—>Helpful Resources—>Lessons and Teaching—>Lessons, Manuals, and Curriculum—>Institute—>Doctrine and Covenants (Student Manual)—>Section 13

D&C 13:1. What Is Meant by the Sons of Levi Offering an Offering of Righteousness unto the Lord?

The Prophet Joseph Smith commented as follows on this scripture:

“It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.,] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in the future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets. . .

. . .“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.)"

Source—Doctrine and Covenants (Student Manual) Section 13

[RevTestament]

On 12/18/2014 at 9:16 PM, 3DOP said:

Not animal sacrifices. Our bodies as a "living sacrifice", per St. Paul, Canadaigua. (Rom 12:2) And "spiritual sacrifices", per St. Peter: "Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (I Pet. 2:9)

 

Although Mormons don't agree with us Catholics whose priests offer the "Holy Sacrifice of the Mass", I am glad that they have apparently seen that sacrifice is the essence of priestly activity. On that it appears we agree. Thank you for the great quote from the LDS Prophet. No...it isn't about animals. But maybe you are a dispensational Protestant? Even if you aren't, the only Christians I have ever heard of that think animal sacrifices are on their way back are Protestants.

http://dispensationalist.blogspot.com/2011/03/animal-sacrifices-in-millennium.html

The Book of Mormon makes it pretty clear that it is not about animals. Jesus told the Nephites to stop the shedding of blood:

3 Nephi 9:19

19 And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

It does appear some interpret this in broader sense.

But let me ask you. How do you or Catholics interpret Revelation:

Why does the lamb have seven eyes?

[halconero]

On May 15, 2015 at 0:36 PM, thesometimesaint said:

 

To be fair Jews don't believe that Jesus Christ was a sacrifice. At best they believe The Savior has yet to come.

Depends on which kind of Jews you're talking about. Nazarenes or Ebionites from the 1st and 2nd century would disagree.

[Robert F. Smith]

22 hours ago, Canadaigua said:

Robert lets look at a quote from an official LDS manual (which I have previously quoted in a prior post) to see if animal sacrifice is specifically mentioned.

......................................................   

D&C 13:1. What Is Meant by the Sons of Levi Offering an Offering of Righteousness unto the Lord?

The Prophet Joseph Smith commented as follows on this scripture:

“It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.,] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in the future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets. . .

. . .“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.)"

Source—Doctrine and Covenants (Student Manual) Section 13

Excellent source, Canadaigua.  Thank you.  We are apparently in full agreement on this, as far as it goes.  There is of course more to be said.

ETA:  The Jews in Israel, for example, are prepared to rebuild their temple in Jerusalem and to offer animal sacrifices there.  When that will happen is anyone's guess.

Edited December 12, 2015 by Robert F. Smith

[RevTestament]

5 hours ago, Canadaigua said:

Robert lets look at a quote from an official LDS manual (which I have previously quoted in a prior post) to see if animal sacrifice is specifically mentioned.

 

LDS.org—>Scriptures and Study—>Helpful Resources—>Lessons and Teaching—>Lessons, Manuals, and Curriculum—>Institute—>Doctrine and Covenants (Student Manual)—>Section 13

D&C 13:1. What Is Meant by the Sons of Levi Offering an Offering of Righteousness unto the Lord?

The Prophet Joseph Smith commented as follows on this scripture:

“It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.,] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in the future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets. . .

. . .“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.)"

Source—Doctrine and Covenants (Student Manual) Section 13

 

You mean like these animals?

Isa 60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.

7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.

BTW Nebaioth was a son of Ishmael.

[RevTestament]

Is that crickets I hear?