Chapter 23 (BOMC)

The order from God to the priests in the tabernacle was not to be taken lightly. This was pertaining to the animal sacrifices that would be performed on the altar. The priests who did this as God directed, He would sanctify them and His tabernacle. It is written, “this shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee. And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory. And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office.” (Exodus 29:42-44) The Book of Leviticus also teaches that the Israelite priests performed these sacrificial offerings at the door of the tabernacle. They did this with honor and respect to the God of the heavens. It was not a burden for them, but a joy to do His will on earth as it is in heaven.

God would be with His people as long as they continue to do His will. This was pertaining to what would take place at the door of the tabernacle. This is where offerings were made to God. These sacrifices fulfilled God’s will for His people in the old covenant times. While doing these acts of faith, their sins and the sins of the people were atoned for. It is written, “and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord their God.” (Exodus 29:45,46) All these sacrifices ended when Jesus died for our sins on the cross. Those who accept His atoning sacrifice are forgiven and washed clean through His blood. Animal sacrifices had to happen until the Lamb of God, who is Jesus, died for us. He came into the world to take away our sins, and sanctify us once and for all. All Jesus requires is for us to come unto Him and His blood will cover us. Amen.

The Book of Mormon has priests in the same timeframe as the Bible.  However, they are used differently as they were part of a church instead of God’s tabernacle. For example, in Mosiah, chapter 18, priests were not called to administer in tabernacles but to go out to preach the gospel. People were also baptized before John the Baptist was born. This was during the times of the laws of Moses. They even formed Christ’s Church before Jesus’s birth. This is not biblical and wrong. These issues can be found while examining the chapter in Mosiah.  it is written, “and after this manner he did baptize every one that went forth to the place of Mormon; and they were in number about two hundred and four souls; yea, and they were baptized in the waters of Mormon, and were filled with the grace of God. And they were called the church of God, or the church of Christ, from that time forward. And it came to pass that whosoever was baptized by the power and authority of God was added to his church. And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests; even one priest to every fifty of their number did he ordain to preach unto them, and to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Mosiah 18:16-18)

In the Bible, priests came from the tribe of Levi and worked in and around the tabernacle of God. This was needed during the time of the laws of Moses. It is written, “and thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put the bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons. And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.” (Exodus 29:9,10) Christ’s church wasn’t in existence at that time.  This changed once Jesus came to earth.  It is written, “and Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)

Jesus’s church was formed and is still on the earth today. It was founded in Israel and has spread around the globe to include all people, Jews and Gentiles.  The people in the Book of Mormon are fiction.  There was also no apostasy in Christ's church, for the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Do not trust the LDS Missionaries who say that there was a need for a restoration. They are telling people this, in order to lead them out of Christ’s church and into a cult that does not save. It was never about religion that saved people, but a relationship with Jesus that saves. The name on a church doesn’t make it more true than others. Jesus isn’t automatically for an organization just because they say they are for Him. What Jesus desires is for people to draw near unto Him, and then He will draw near unto you. His ways will become your ways and your beliefs will also be his. Allow the Lord Jesus to lead you like the priests of old did in times past. They were faithful to God in the tabernacle, as we ought to be faithful to Jesus now. Amen.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will help unfold the truth to us. Many people think they have found the truth, but really they are deceived through false teachings that are not correct. I felt this way for over thirty years of my life, until the day a light bulb came on and everything changed. You revealed to me how false Mormonism really is, and I could not bear it any longer. If I was truly for You, then I would also be willing to lose friends, and even family members for a time. Surely, to leave what was comfortable for me, my wife, and my kids, was a lot of work at first. However, my relationship with You meant more than any other I formed on earth. Yes, God, If I live and die for the flesh and momentary pleasures, then I was never for You at all. For this reason, I put everything aside, and at the foot of the cross.  Thank You for taking away the comforts of my old life for the sake of Your kingdom. I live for You and not the world. Conform me in Your ways. Move me to do what is right. Lead me this day and forever. I love You, Jesus. Amen.