It is Expedient That There Should Be a Stop to the Shedding of Blood

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

The Zoramites, in spite of their apostasy from the Nephite Church of God, and notwithstanding their dissension and withdrawal from Zarahemla to another place of abode where they could carry on a form of worship to their own liking, took with them a belief in the Law of Moses which they had garbled, and which they evidently did not understand. The Law of Moses required the rendering of sacrifice wherein animals and "and manner of fowl" were offered in token of the "great and last Sacrifice" which "will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal," Amulek said. That great and last Sacrifice of the Son of God wherein His blood will be spilled to atone for the sins of all men will put a "stop to the shedding of blood." "Then," Amulek proclaimed to them, "shall the Law of Moses be fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away." To this end, that is the "great and last Sacrifice of the Son of God" every ordinance, performance, and sacrifice, of that Law was pointed. Every sacrifice offered, the blood of the animals slain, was but typical of the Blood of Jesus which would end all sacrifice, and fulfill all requirements of the Law of Moses. Thus, He Who is infinite and eternal will make a Sacrifice for all which, like Him, is infinite and eternal.

When the Risen Redeemer introduced Himself to the astonished Nephites gathered near the temple site in the Land Bountiful shortly after His resurrection, among other things He said of Himself were: I came unto My own, and My own received Me not. And the Scriptures concerning My coming are fulfilled. And as many as have received Me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on My Name, for behold, by Me redemption cometh, and in Me is the Law of Moses fulfilled. I am the life and light of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. And ye shall offer up unto Me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done way, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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