Prepare your mind and heart to learn. As you prayerfully study the scriptures, you can learn through the Spirit and receive personal revelation that meets your needs and circumstances.
Begin your study with prayer.
Have you ever wondered why so much is asked of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, listed many of the ways that members are involved in Church service. He also offered insight as to why members willingly do these things.
You can read the text for this video here: “Come, Join with Us,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 21.
The book of Leviticus was like a priesthood handbook for the children of Israel. It included instructions for the performance of ordinances and rituals, including animal sacrifices. These sacrifices were primarily meant to teach the Israelites about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 1 provides instructions for performing an animal sacrifice called a burnt offering. This sacrifice was performed at the tabernacle (and later at the temple in Jerusalem) every morning and evening, as well as on special occasions.
Read Leviticus 1:3–5, looking for any elements of the burnt offering that could teach about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. You may want to mark what you find.
Phrases from Leviticus 1:3–5 that can teach about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ include “a male without blemish” and “of his own voluntary will” in verse 3 and “blood round about upon the altar” in verse 5.
The following scripture references can help you understand how elements of the burnt offering can teach about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ: Luke 22:41–44; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Doctrine and Covenants 19:18–19. Choose at least one of these references, and as you read, look for connections between the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the elements of animal sacrifice described in Leviticus 1:3–5.
What connections did you make and what did you learn?
Animal sacrifices were burned on the altar. The smoke rising to heaven symbolized prayers of gratitude and supplication and also symbolized that the offering was going up to the Lord.
Read Leviticus 1:9, and notice that the priests were instructed to “burn all on the altar.”
Consider what you can learn about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ from the phrase “burn all on the altar” as you continue studying Leviticus 1.
Jesus Christ set an example for us when He chose to sacrifice everything He had, including His will, to Heavenly Father.
Now that you have studied Leviticus 1:1–4, how would you answer the following question: Why might members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints be willing to make so many sacrifices?
One symbolic truth we can identify from Leviticus 1 is that we can become more like our Savior as we choose to be willing to sacrifice what Heavenly Father asks.
The phrase “sweet savour unto the Lord” in Leviticus 1:9 means that our sacrifices are sweet and satisfying to Heavenly Father.
1. Answer at least one of the following questions:
In what ways can you show Heavenly Father that you love Him by being willing to sacrifice what He asks of you?
How have you chosen to make sacrifices for Heavenly Father, and how have these sacrifices affected you?
Sacrificial altar used in the tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness.
We read in Leviticus 1:10–17 that the Lord allowed for other kinds of animals to be used for burnt offerings, making it possible for those who were poor to offer sacrifices. Leviticus 2–3 contains instructions for giving meat and peace offerings, which were other types of sacrifices offered to the Lord. Leviticus 4–7 includes the Lord’s instructions for making sin offerings and the laws associated with those sacrifices. (See Bible Dictionary, “Sacrifices.”)
Read Leviticus 4:4, 27–29, looking for what the Israelites were instructed to do with the animal in order to make a sin offering.
As recorded in Leviticus 4:4, 27–29, the Lord directed those who were making a sin offering to place their hands upon the animal’s head after bringing it to the tabernacle. The animal symbolically became a substitute for the person who had sinned, just as Jesus Christ was our substitute or representative in atoning for our sins.
Read Leviticus 4:5–7, 30, looking for what the priest was instructed to do with the blood of the sin offering.
The “horns of the altar” (Leviticus 4:7, 30) symbolized power. The scriptures refer to the Savior as the “horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69), which refers to His power to save (see Psalm 18:2). The blood of the animals symbolized the Savior shedding His blood for us (see Leviticus 17:11).
There were four horns on the altar. In the scriptures, the number four can represent the entire earth (see Revelation 7:1; 1 Nephi 19:16–17). Placing blood on the horns could symbolize that there is power in the Savior’s Atonement to save all of God’s children who ever have lived or will live on the earth.
Read Leviticus 4:20, 31, looking for what the sin offering helped bring to the person offering the sacrifice.
What principle can we learn about the Savior’s atoning sacrifice from the ancient practice of making sin offerings?
One principle we can identify from the symbolism of Leviticus 4:20, 31 is that through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins (see Jacob 4:5).
The act of sacrificing animals did not have the power to cleanse people of their sins, but it directed people’s minds and hearts toward Jesus Christ. In our day, the sacrament is an ordinance that directs us to the Savior Jesus Christ, who is able to forgive and cleanse us.
Personal Sacrifice
Read the following statement by President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, looking for what the Lord wants us to offer Him.
Image
M. Russell Ballard
“After the Savior’s ultimate sacrifice, … the ordinance of the sacrament replaced the ordinance of sacrifice. … This change moved the focus of the sacrifice from a person’s animal to the person himself. In a sense, the sacrifice changed from the offering to the offerer. …
“… Instead of the Lord requiring our animals or grain, … He wants us to give up all that is ungodly. … Elder Neal A. Maxwell [1926–2004] of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: ‘Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed!’ (“Deny Yourselves of All Ungodliness,” Ensign, May 1995, 68).
“… When we overcome our own selfish desires and put God first in our lives and covenant to serve Him regardless of the cost, we are then living the law of sacrifice” (M. Russell Ballard, “The Law of Sacrifice,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 10).
In what ways can we give up “all that is ungodly” or offer “the animal in us” to the Lord?
Let’s review an Old Testament doctrinal mastery passage that teaches about the Restoration. Read Ezekiel 37:15–17, looking for what the prophet Ezekiel was instructed to do with two sticks.
The word sticks in Ezekiel 37:15–17 refers to scrolls or wooden writing tablets that would have been commonly used during Ezekiel’s day. This is how scripture would have been recorded and preserved.
Consider marking in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document the key statement of doctrine associated with Ezekiel 37:15–17 (in paragraph 4.3): With the Bible, the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ and contains the fulness of the gospel.
You may want to repeat aloud the scripture reference and the key statement of doctrine several times to remember what this important scripture about the Restoration teaches and where it is located.
