One of the criticisms leveled at the LDS (Mormon) practice of temple worship is the seemingly dissimilar forms of the ordinances when compared with those found practiced by ancient Israelites in the Bible. It is true that the forms of the ordinances and sacrifices are different, but their meaning and symbolism remain the same. Let us consider why the forms are different.
From Adam down to Moses, the Melchizedek priesthood, with its accompanying higher ordinances, were practiced by the covenant people of the Lord. These were similar in form to LDS temple worship today. Unfortunately, since most of the accounting from the Old Testament takes place from the time period of Moses to Christ, from the Bible we become most familiar with the lower ordinances that the Israelites practiced in the Tabernacle, Solomon’s Temple, Zerubbabel’s Temple, and Herod’s Temple. This is because when Moses desired to give the higher law of the gospel and the ordinances of the Melchizedek priesthood to his people they rebelled against him and the Lord withdrew these higher ordinances and instituted the lower Aaronic priesthood (including the Levitical priesthood) with its accompanying outwardly observances and performances. The Israelites were not worthy to come into the presence of the Lord as a whole; only the high priest was allowed into the most holy place in the Tabernacle, and only on certain prescribed days. These practices continued for 1200-1300 years, and the Israelites’ writings during this time fill a large measure of the Bible.
When Christ came to earth, he restored the Melchizedek priesthood with its accompanying higher ordinances. The Mosaic law was also fulfilled in Christ at that time, and the type of sacrifices performed in temples were consequently changed. Blood sacrifices were no longer required. Intermediary animals were also now not required. All of the Lord’s covenant people were able to approach the Lord directly and offer a self-sacrifice of their time, talents, and everything that they had, including the only true sacrifice we can give God, our individual will. The form of the sacrifice changed, but the meaning and symbolism remained exactly the same.
Yesterday and today, the ordinances and sacrifices offered in the Lord’s temples have always pointed to Jesus Christ and his ultimate sacrifice and atonement. The following table helps compare the types and forms of sacrifice offered in the temple of the Lord since Adam to the present day: ((Most of this information was gathered from Andrew Skinner’s Temple Worship, 121-125, 181-189))
| Pre-Mosaic | Ancient Israel (Mosaic law) | Early Christian/Modern Israel (LDS Church) | |
| Place | High Mountains, possibly Mount Moriah, possibly temples or other designated holy places |
Mosaic Tabernacle Solomon’s Temple Zerubbabel’s Temple Herod’s Temple |
High Mountians Mount of Transfiguration Modern Temples (125 operating worldwide) |
| Why offer sacrifice? | Obedience to God, To make one’s life holy or sacred like Christ did through his sacrifice, in imitation of his sacrifice to become holy like him |
Obedience to God, To make one’s life holy or sacred like Christ did through his sacrifice, in imitation of his sacrifice to become holy like him |
Obedience to God, To make one’s life holy or sacred like Christ did through his sacrifice, in imitation of his sacrifice to become holy like him |
| Remembrance or Imitation | Similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, yet to come (Moses 5:7) | Similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, yet to come (Jacob 4:4-5) | Similitude of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in the past (3 Nephi 9:20; Rom. 8:17). As in other dispensations, this similitude is in mind, emotion, and action. |
| Officiator | All worthy members of the House of Israel (made kings and priests, queens and priestesses) | Priests in Israel | All worthy members of the House of Israel (members of the Church) (made kings and priests, queens and priestesses) |
| Type of sacrifice | Vicarious Animal Blood Sacrifice | Vicarious Animal Blood Sacrifice | Self-sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit, offering our individual will to God (3 Nephi 9:20), in similitude of Christ’s sacrifice of body, spirit, and will. |
| What was offered? | Animals, Prayers, Sealing of families, Covenants of self-sacrifice and consecration | Animals, Prayers, Incense (a symbol of prayer and sacrifice) | Covenants of self-sacrifice and consecration, Prayers, and Sealing of families |
| Vicarious (proxy) offering | Animal was offered in place of the person making the sacrifice, similar to how Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for us. | Animal was offered in place of the person making the sacrifice, similar to how Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for us. | Temple patrons offer themselves a vicarious substitutes or proxies for the deceased, similar to how Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for us we become saviors on Mount Zion for the dead doing for them what they cannot do for themselves. |
| Extent of sacrifice | A total and complete sacrifice of oneself to God vicariously through the giving of the life of the animal, again in similitude of Christ. | A total and complete sacrifice of oneself to God vicariously through the giving of the life of the animal, again in similitude of Christ. | “At the altars in the Lord’s temples today, worshippers covenant to sacrifice all they possess for the sake of the Lord’s kingdom” ((Andrew Skinner, Temple Worship, 184)). All in similitude of Christ’s total sacrifice (Rom. 8:17). |
| Altars | Built with earth (Ex. 20:24), or unhewn stones (Ex. 20:25) | Altar of Burnt Offering (made of acacia wood overlaid with brass)(Ex. 27:1-2; Ex. 39:39; Ex. 40:26; 2 Chr. 4:1) Altar of Incense (overlaid in gold) Ark of the Covenant (Lev. 16:14-15) |
Early Christian Altars (Matthew 5:23-24; Heb. 13:10; Rev. 8:3-5; Rev. 11:1) Latter-day altars are found in each ordinance room (either for endowments or sealings) of each temple worldwide. The sacrament table is also a type of altar, found in every chapel within the Church worldwide. |
I think 3 Nephi 9:19-20 best sums up what you are saying. The only reason there exists any difference in our current Temple sacrifices is b/c Jesus has fulfilled His mortal mission.
The letter of the law has changed, but the spirit remains the same.
Hi I was just wondering if you could tell me if blood sacrifice will or will not return. The reason I am asking this is because of a talk given by Joseph Smith in a General Conference on October 5 1840. He mentions that these sacrifices will return so that there can be a full resoration of all things. I am really trying to understand. If you could help me out that would be very much appreciated.
Thanks!