Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 26: Sacrifice
Concept 2: Animal Sacrifice Was an Ordinance of the Gospel
"From the time of Adam and Eve to the time of Jesus Christ, the Lord's people practiced the law of animal sacrifice (see Moses 5:5). It was an ordinance of the gospel. They were commanded to offer as sacrifice the firstlings of their flocks. These animals had to be perfect, without blemish. The ordinance was given to remind the people that Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the Father, would come into the world. He would be perfect in every way, and he would offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins (Moses 5:5-8 "5 And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.
6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.)"
Jesus did come and offer himself as a sacrifice, just as the people had been taught he would. Because of his sacrifice, everyone will be saved from physical death by the Resurrection and all can be saved from their sins through faith in Jesus Christ (see chapter 12, "The Atonement ").Chapter 12: The Atonement, Gospel Principles Comments and Resources
Christ's atoning sacrifice marked the end of blood sacrifices. Blood sacrifice was replaced by the ordinance of the sacrament. The ordinance of the sacrament was also given to remind us of the Savior's great sacrifice. We should partake of the sacrament often. The emblems of bread and water remind us of the Savior's bruised body and of his blood, which he shed for us (see chapter 23, "The Sacrament"). Chapter 23: The Sacrament, Gospel Principles Comments and Resources.
Discussion
Moses 5:5-7. What did the sacrifice of a lamb represent in ancient times?
What event brought blood sacrifice to an end?
What ordinance was given to replace the ancient law of sacrifices?"