December 10, 2007

Today in class we began the book of Leviticus. As we examine chapters 1-7, we can see that these chapters cover the instructions for the administration of the Sacrifices. We discussed how you can't make a cake without a recipe, and the chapters of Leviticus give specific instructions regarding how to make sacrifices. Everything is spelled out including - what type of animal for which sacrifice, how the animal is to be placed on the altar (even the sequence)and where and how the blood is to be sprinkled, or where it is to be placed. All of these minute details are covered, as the Lord is a Lord of Order. He wants our sacrifices to be done correctly.
We focused on the first 9 verses of chapter 1, and wrote our recipe, or instructions for a proper burnt offering on the board, coming up with 10 necessary elements. We then had some volunteers who brought their animal (iced cookie) to the front of the class, and step by step they made an offering.
We then took the time to discuss how each element in the sacrifice is a type or shadow of Jesus Christ, and what each might represent.
Finally, we read a quote by Elder Maxwell about the sacrifice not really being about the animal, but it being about our willingness to bring the animal within us and lay it on the altar.
We finished class by watching the first section of a movie where a man goes back in time and shows himself (a teenager) how the sacrifice symbolized Jesus Christ, and how today, the sacrament does the same thing for us. We didn't quite finish the show since we had to end class early so the students could get to school on time, but we will finish the last 3 minutes of the movie and wrap up discussion tomorrow morning as we begin class.
Our scripture mastery for this week is Job 19:25-26.
The reading for tonight is Leviticus 8-11.