A video, sacrifice, and becoming a Priest

This post includes a video, but the video is actually an experiment for something else. However, if this video can help with this post, then that's a double-win.

This post is about sacrifice, what that looks like anciently and today, and becoming a Priest. It’s not everything (that’s for you to discover) but I hope it’s valuable to you.

The instructions for Levite priests to conduct proper ancient sacrifices is outlined in Leviticus chapter 1 of the Restoration Edition Old Covenants or Leviticus chapters 1-4 for all other versions. In those chapters, we learn that there are five types of offerings that can be sacrificed to address a persons devotion, transgression, or sin which brought reconciliation between the person (or community) and God. Interestingly enough, that included any sin which the high priest may have committed:

“… if the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people, then let him bring for his sin which he has sinned a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering.” (Lev 1:11)

In Mormon culture, something similar looks like this: 

“All persons belonging to the church are not exempt from this court of the church. And inasmuch as the president of the high priesthood shall transgress, he shall be had in remembrance before the common court of the church, who shall be assisted by twelve counselors of the high priesthood, and their decision upon his head shall be an end of controversy concerning him. Thus, none shall be exempt from the justice of the laws of God, that all things may be done in order and in solemnity before me, according to truth and righteousness. Amen.” (T&C 59:5)

At any rate, as you take a good look at all the procedures, it becomes apparent just how much the person making the offering was actually involved in the process. They picked an animal from their own herd or flock (if it was an animal offering), they inspected it for blemishes, they laid their hands on the animal and confessed their sins, they slayed the animal, they skinned it, they butchered it, and then washed it. 

The Priest did everything else (see the video.)

For years, I was unaware just how much the offerer actually did. That’s because (like many) I quickly read through the Old Covenants. Upon realizing how much they did, it opened up my eyes to so many principles still applicable today, or better said, what principles have always been.

It is no different today as it was then that we are required to make reconciliation with others in order to be forgiven and have peace with God:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses who trespass against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses.” (Matt 3:30)

“Therefore, if you shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, or if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way unto your brother, and first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matt 3:19)

It is no different today as it was then that sacrifice is required to draw close to God. He offers the gift of salvation freely under His guidance, but that also means everything is required of us to submit and obtain it:

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 9:8)

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. ... And now, for a man to take up his cross is to deny himself from all ungodliness, and from every worldly lust, and keep my commandments.” (Matt 9:3)

It is no different today as it was then that there are people you need in your life to provide you what you can’t obtain on your own (yet):

“And again, more blessed are they who shall believe on your words when you shall testify that you have seen me and that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe on your words, and come down into the depths of humility, and be baptized in my name, for they shall be visited with fire and with the holy ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.” (Matt 3:4-5)

“And the Lord said unto him, I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into Heaven.” (3 Nephi 5:7)

“And this shall be a law unto you — that you receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you, as revelations or commandments. ...For verily I say unto you that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate, and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive, through him whom I have appointed.” (T&C 29:2)

It is no different today than it was then that becoming a Priest requires more of you and that you do the work of all the Priests before you: 

“Now Alma, their congregation’s founder, was their high priest. And no one received authority to preach or teach unless it was from God and through Alma. He alone ordained all their priests and teachers, and no one was ordained unless they were ethical men. So they cared for their people and taught them things required for righteousness.” (Mosiah 11:3 CoC)

“Now the priests denounced all lying, deceiving, jealousy, arguing, malicious and abusive behavior, theft, robbery, pillage, murder, committing adultery, and all kinds of lustfulness and indecent behavior, warning these things must not go on among them.” (Alma 11:8 CoC)

It is no different today as it was then that all teachers and priests work alongside each other to support the Holy Order, community, the Lord and one another:

“And Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests, one priest for every 50. He ordained them to preach and teach concerning God’s kingdom. And he commanded them to only teach the things he and the holy prophets had taught. To be clear, he commanded them to preach nothing but repentance and faith in the Lord, who had redeemed His people. And he commanded them not to have any heated arguments with each other, but to look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts bound together in unity and love toward each other. This is how he commanded them to preach. And so they became God’s children. (Mosiah 9:9 CoC)

More examples can be given, but again, that’s for you to discover if you haven’t already. Just because we’re no longer under the Law, that doesn’t mean the principles to obtain and live God’s character (aka Heaven) is any different. 

We must be like Him to be where He is.