“An Offering Unto the Lord”

As a prophet, Lehi held the Melchizedek Priesthood and by that authority offered sacrifice (Teachings, p. 181). The practice and principle of sacrifice is of ancient origin; it was taught to Adam by an angel of the Lord, a being who explained that sacrifices and all things were to be done in the name of the Only Begotten Son (Moses 5:5-8). Sacrificial ordinances were thus undertaken from the beginning by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood (see Teachings, pp. 172-73). At the time of Moses, the Aaronic Priesthood was given to administer the preparatory gospel (the Law of Moses), and under this lesser gospel an intricate system of sacrifices was instituted.

“An Offering Unto the Lord”

Throughout the generations following the death of Aaron and the translation of Moses, the sacrifices in ancient Israel were of various types, such as trespass or sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings (see Bible Dictionary, LDS Edition of King James Version of the Bible, pp. 765-67). The Book of Mormon writers made no attempt to elaborate upon the nature or types of their offerings. The Aaronic Priesthood was the province of the tribe of Levi, and thus was not taken by the Nephites to America. It would appear, therefore, that the sacrifices performed by the Lehite colony were carried out under the direction of the higher priesthood, which comprehends all the duties and authorities of the lesser.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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