"With the suffering of Gethsemane, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the
resurrection from a garden tomb, Jesus fulfilled the ancient law and
ushered in a new dispensation based on a higher, holier understanding of
the law of sacrifice. No more would men be required to offer the firstborn
lamb from their flock, because the firstborn of God had come to offer
himself as an 'infinite and eternal sacrifice.'
"This is the majesty of the Atonement and Resurrection, not just a passover
from death, but a gift of eternal life by an infinite sacrifice as so beautifully
stated by Amulek:
" 'For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice;
yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of
fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and
eternal sacrifice.' (Alma 34:10.)
". . . I bear testimony of the firstborn of God, who made that sacrifice,
who has 'borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows,' who 'was wounded for
our transgressions' and 'was bruised for our iniquities.' (Isa. 53:4-5.)"
(Howard W. Hunter, "Christ, Our Passover," Ensign, May 1985, 19)
I believe that the Old Testament laws of sacrifice (which predated the Law of Moses) reflect Eternal truths and ordinances. Therefore, the mortal, terrestial laws that Christ's sacrifice appeared to fulfill, were actually given in similitude to the actual Eternal Laws which He did fulfill.
I thought the Old Testament laws of sacrifice were done in similitude of the sacrifice that Christ would fulfill when he came to Earth...which I thought was the reasoning behind them being stopped--because they no longer needed that since He came and fulfilled the ultimate sacrifice.
Yet we need to remember that although sacrifices were 'done away with', they really are not.:
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"... 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. We frequently have mention made of the offering of sacrifice by the servants of the Most High in ancient days, prior to the law of Moses; which ordinances will be continued when the Priesthood is restored with all its authority, power and blessings." "These sacrifices, as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever did and ever will exist when the powers of the Melchizedek Priesthood are sufficiently manifest; else how can the restitution of all things spoken of by the Holy Prophets be brought to pass. It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses' day, namely, 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 existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since that time?" (Teachings of The Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 172-173) |
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11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. |
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3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. |
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6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. |
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I, too, have read that sacrifices will be restored. I have heard it is because there will be a 'restoration" of all things. I have often wondered the same as Isiah53:
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to restore sacrifices would mean that the atonement was not sufficient. Clearly Jacob in the Book Of Mormon says that the atonement was infinite, and Nephi says that sacrifices will not be needed. |
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As for the similitude in Christ I am always suspicious. Why does Jesus need a sacrifice in similitude? Why does a sacrifice need to be done when the atonement covers all sin in all dispensations. |
concerning Christ's atonement being perfect and for everybody:
we need to remember though that there are certain sins out there which put us out of the reach of Christ's atonement, so we need to atone for these sins with our own blood.
That is referred to as blood atonement, although every sort of sacrifice belongs to the category of Blood Atonement because blood is always what redeems sin, that is why our Savior had to bleed from every pore in order to make the atoning sacrifice. Blood cleans us. I think sacrifices might also have something to do with that, although I am not so sure about the exact details with that...