The Law of Sacrifice Points To The Atonement

Isn’t it amazing how the Lord prepares His people, no matter what time period they live in, to understand and apply the offering that was made by Him through His atoning sacrifice?

This last and great sacrifice that the prophets of long ago spoke of was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ himself, the lamb without blemish, in the meridian of time. It was a culmination of years of instruction and symbolism, replaced today by instruction and symbolism.

The Law of Sacrifice as taught to the children of Israel by Moses was a preparatory law for this great event. Just as the fall brought about the three types of death which was spoken of in the last post, and taught in our modern day scriptures called the Doctrine and Covenants.... these sacrifices and offerings that Moses taught showed this exact principle and how the atonement covered each of these different types of death.

Physical Death- This was represented by the continual burnt offering that was upon the altar of the temple. The offering was done in the morning and in the evening and burned continually. This continual burning illustrated the principle of immortality, a life that was never ending.

The First Spiritual Death- This principle was taught through the example of the Sin Offering. This offering was for all the sins that were done in ignorance, or as a consequence of being a “fallen” man. It is interesting to note the manner in which this offering was offered.

The bullock was brought to the door of the tabernacle and was killed. The blood of the sacrifice however was taken first to the vail of the sanctuary and was sprinkled seven times before the vail. It was then put upon the horns of the altar of incense, which is right before the vail. Next the blood was taken outside to the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle, and poured on the bottom of the altar. The whole bullock was then carried outside the camp to a clean place and completely burned there.

The progression of the blood goes from the most sacred spot, near the vail to completely outside of the camp. To me it teaches of the condescension of God as he went from His place on high to descending below all things, to supply the demands of the law brought about by the fall. This is the “get out of spiritual death free card” which was talked about in the previous post.

The Second Spiritual Death- This principle was taught through the example of the Trespass Offering. This was an offering that was made when someone knowingly sinned, or chose to sin. This offering was made with requirements. The offending offerer had to repent, confess, forsake, make restitution, and fast upon bringing his offering to the altar. It was an offering that required action beyond the offering itself. Today we term this as the death that is overcome by action, faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost.

The Trespass offering taught that the second death is a choice, and to overcome it, it will take action by the offending party.

These three sacrifices taught the children of Israel in a beautiful way the principles of the Fall and the Atonement in a manner that they could always remember how infinite and eternal the last great sacrifice would be. It showed them their part, or what was required of them in applying this wonderful gift in their lives.

It is a beautiful illustration of "saved by grace after all you can do".

The Fall Brought About Death

Before we can understand the blessings of the Atonement in our lives we need to more fully understand the Fall and the consequences of it.

When Adam fell, three different types of deaths were introduced.

This is addressed in the Doctrine and Covenants section 29:41-42

41 Wherefore, I, the Lord God, caused that he should be cast out from the Garden of Eden, from my presence, because of his transgression, wherein he became spiritually dead, which is the first death, even that same death which is the last death, which is spiritual, which shall be pronounced upon the wicked when I shall say: Depart, ye cursed.

42 But, behold, I say unto you that I, the Lord God, gave unto Adam and unto his seed, that they should not die as to the temporal death, until I, the Lord God, should send forth angels to declare unto them repentance and redemption, through faith on the name of mine Only Begotten Son.

Notice the first death is spiritual, and the last death is spiritual. In between those is the death that is temporal.

First, we need to understand what the temporal death is. It is simply the ability that we have to die physically, or as some call it physical death. The Atonement covers that for everyone. We are all given the gift of resurrection, regardless of how we live or what we do. The Atonement is a “get out of physical death free card.” Everyone will be resurrected and therefore the Atonement is a wonderful gift even if that was all that was offered or it stopped there, but it is much more infinite that that.

Now, let’s talk about the two spiritual deaths. The first spiritual death that the scriptures refer to actually occurred because of the transgression, or disobedience, of Adam and Eve in the garden. It introduced an imperfect fallen individual who was unable to reside or live in the presence of the Father. This resulted in a “casting out” or cutting off from continual sociality with our Father because of imperfection. Our birthright as spirit children of Heavenly parents was that of sociality with the Father, but our earthly birth parents Adam and Eve made that position impossible.

The Atonement covers that spiritual death unconditionally. In essence it is a “get out of spiritual death free card” for this death as well. This is the reason that children are born innocent... just like Adam and Eve were. The Atonement reestablishes our literal birthright inheritance of innocence, which was taken from us by the choice of our first earthly parents. For this reason there is no need for baptism of children.

Because of the gift of the Atonement, each of us is given our own opportunity to “fall”, which is completed by the time we are 8 year old, and continues each time we choose to be disobedient. It is because of the Atonement that we are then given another opportunity to be free from the last death, which is spiritual. This opportunity is in the form of faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost helping us to make right choices through out the rest of our lives.

This second death occurs by choice. We choose to sin and separate ourselves from God, therefore just as we choose to sin, we also choose to apply the gift of the Atonement in our lives for this spiritual death. This coverage is conditional. It requires work and effort on our part if we are to claim the blessings of it.

This concept was taught throughout the Old Testament... which will be explored in my next post!

Taking Upon Us The Name of God

As I was reading through some Blogs about LDS Women, I came across this Blog called LDS Women of God and was fascinated by a post on the Abrahamic Covenant called, Taking Upon Us the Name of God.

In the post it explained the meaning associated with the changing of the names of Abraham and Sarah, with the addition of the letter H.

The name change served as a reminder that they had entered into covenants and received further light and knowledge.

I loved the explanation in the Blog, go and check it out!

The Word of Wisdom, A Principle With A Promise

In today's society everybody is health conscious and worried about what to eat. More and more the Word of Wisdom is being proven to be right on target as far as a healthy way to live each day.

The health benefits are just one blessing given to us by living the Word of Wisdom, but I think that more than a code of health, it is a simply a test of obedience.

The principle is: if you are obedient then you will be blessed with a promise of health.
But what happens if health in this world isn't given?
What exactly is the promise?

Section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants tells us what the promise is:
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

The Blessing of Health
Health in their navel and marrow to their bones is more than just a physical blessing. This reference in itself is one of life, not merely physical life but Eternal life. The navel is another word for "center point" and is the reminder of the lifeline that we have as a "child of God" to the Father, this life line is Christ. Christ is also the marrow or "rich and nutritious food" on which we rely; He is the "innermost or essential part" that we need to live.

Just like the marrow is the food or blood for the bone, the blood of Christ provides us with the living matter we need to be resurrected. This is the application of the Atonement in our lives. The health we enjoy now temporally is a added blessing for living the Word of Wisdom, but the eternal health we will be given is guaranteed because of the application of the Atonement.

Wisdom and Knowledge
Where do we gain wisdom and knowledge other than from the spirit and the Temple itself. One of the requirements to enter the Temple is obedience to the Word of Wisdom. Simply stated, we are blessed with the opportunity to attend the sessions in the Temple where we gain wisdom and knowledge that will effect us eternally.

Stamina and Energy
Isn't it interesting how the world has even tried to counterfeit this blessing with the energy drinks and stimulants of today. Pure energy comes from one source and that is God.

Eternal Life
With reference to the "destroying angel" the Lord is leading us back to the Passover during the time of Moses. It was here inside the house where the blood of the lamb was spread over the doorposts that the Children of Israel were saved.

Today just as in those days, it is because of receiving the blessings of being inside the house that we will also be saved. Entering the "House of Israel" is done by covenant. Those covenants are available because of the priesthood blessings and are part of being in the House of the Lord.

The word of wisdom is an Eternal principle and is one that promises Eternal blessings!

How Can I Be

Before my son was called to serve his mission in Texas, he attended BYU Hawaii. While there he became friends with Polynesian people from all over the place.

It was there he heard this song and shared it with me. I loved it instantly.

Here is the original composer of the song, singing it with the piano accompaniment.

I hope you enjoy it as well!

Pioneers Part of my Heritage

I love the pioneers. I have always loved the pioneers. I will always love the pioneers.

I cannot think of the month of July without thinking about the pioneers.

As the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847 and found a place of rest from their long travel across the plains of the United States, Brigham Young uttered the infamous statement, "This is the Place!"

It was just that, a place where they could rest for a season from the persecution of the world, and remain temporarily untouched by others.

I am reminded of the stories of my own pioneer ancestors that crossed the plains, not necessarily in that first company, but in subsequent companies that also arrived in that valley. I appreciate the hardships and sacrifices they made to make the trip.

One story in particular has always brought a smile to my face. It is the story of Susanna Stone and Thomas Lloyd. Thomas was a saddle and harness maker and in his proposal of marriage to Susanna he offered to "share his harness" with her. For a token of that commitment he gave her his most prized possession, the yoke he had left over after having driven his ox-team across the plains.

I have always loved that story, as he knew how important it was to become "equally yoked" with each other as the Lord was in the drivers seat.

My only hope is that I too can be an example and pioneer to those who may follow me, and that with my husband we can become equally yoked and submissive to the commands of the driver.

Again I must confess, I love pioneers.

LDS Girls Who Know Who They Are - Know What They Want and Know How To Get It!

LDS Girls Who Know Who They Are - Know What They Want and Know How To Get It!

As Seminary is starting I am reminded of my teaching days and of the wonderful youth that attended my LDS Seminary classes. I found this article about how wonderful LDS Girls are and thought I would share it.

LDS Young Women know that they are daughters of God, and because of that knowledge have the power to cast out Satan, just as Moses did.

This knowledge is the reason that "choosing the right" is a possibility.

I really think that LDS girls rock, as do LDS boys!