About the book of
Leviticus:
The word Leviticus is
a Latin word that has reference to the Levites—one of the twelve tribes of
Israel. The Levites held the lesser priesthood and were given the
responsibility to officiate in the tabernacle and later at the temple in
Jerusalem (see Numbers 3:5–10). The book of Leviticus contains instructions on
performing priesthood duties, such as animal sacrifice and other rituals that
would help teach the children of Israel about Jesus Christ and His Atonement
(see Alma 34:13–14). The Lord revealed a primary purpose for the instructions
He gave in the book of Leviticus: “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am
holy” (Leviticus 19:2; see also Leviticus 11:44–45; 20:26; 21:6).
Moses is the author of
Leviticus. Moses and his older brother, Aaron, were both members of the tribe
of Levi (see Exodus 6:16–20).
The book of Leviticus has been
described as a priesthood handbook for Aaron and his sons (who served as
priests) and for the Levites generally. Through these instructions, we learn
about the laws, rituals, ceremonies, and festivals that would teach Israel how
to be clean, holy, and different from the world.
Central to the book of Leviticus is
the concept of atonement; the word atonement occurs more
frequently in this book than in any other book of scripture. Leviticus
describes in detail the system of animal sacrifices that served to remind
Israel that “it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus
17:11). Thus, these sacrifices symbolically pointed Israel forward to the
sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would shed His blood to atone for the sins of
mankind. (Seminary Teacher Manual p.200)
