Boaz & Lidia wrote:How about good old animal sacrifices? Why weren't those restored?
The
Strangites, at least, seem to trust Joseph Smith enough to believe they will be.
Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
--"History of Joseph Smith," Times and Seasons, Aug 1, 1842: 865-66; D&C 13:1
Now the purpose in himself [Christ] in the winding up scene of the last dispensation is, that all things pertaining to that dispensation should be conducted precisely in accordance with the preceding dispensations. And again, God purposed in himself that there should not be an eternal fulness, until every dispensation should be fulfilled and gathered together in one . . . therefore he set the ordinances to be the same for ever and ever . . .
. . . thus we behold the keys of this priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah, that he talked with him [Noah] in a familiar and friendly manner, that he continued to him the keys, the covenants, the power and the glory, with which he blessed Adam at the beginning; and the offering of sacrifice, which also shall be continued at the last time; for all the ordinances and duties that ever have been required by the priesthood, under the directions and commandments of the Almighty in any of the dispensations, shall all be had in the last dispensation. Therefore all things had under the authority of the priesthood at any former period shall be had again, bringing to pass the restoration spoken of by the mouth of all the holy prophets; then shall the sons of Levi offer an acceptable offering to the Lord. 'And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord.' (See Mal. 3:3-4.)
It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine, set forth in the above quotation. As it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away with the great sacrifice was offered up—and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in the 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, then all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. This ever was 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 all 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?
--Smith, "Treatise on Priesthood," handwriting of Robert B. Thompson, scribe, Oct. 5, 1840; Ehat, Andrew F. and Lydon W. Cook, comps. and eds., The Words of Joseph Smith (Provo: BYU, 1980), 38-44; Roberts, B. H., History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: Deseret, 1949), 207-212; Smith, Joseph F., comp., Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret, 1976), 166-173.
Chris