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Book of Mormon Central / Archive / KnoWhy #198 - Why Did Jesus Tell All People to Sacrifice a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit? (3 Nephi 9:19-20)

KnoWhy #198 - Why Did Jesus Tell All People to Sacrifice a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit? (3 Nephi 9:19-20)

TitleKnoWhy #198 - Why Did Jesus Tell All People to Sacrifice a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit? (3 Nephi 9:19-20)
Publication TypeKnoWhy
Year of Publication2016
Corporate AuthorsBook of Mormon Central Staff
PublisherBook of Mormon Central
Place PublishedSpringville, UT
KeywordsAtonement; Broken Heart; Burnt Offerings; Contrite Spirit; Crucifixion; Great and Last Sacrifice; Law of Moses; Sacrifice
Abstract

In 3 Nephi 9, Christ spoke to the people, who were mourning in the darkness after the great destruction.1 Christ proclaimed that he would no longer accept animal sacrifices and burnt offerings (3 Nephi 9:17, 19). Instead, the Lord declared that he would receive a sacrifice of “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” Although this teaching never appears explicitly in the New Testament, Jesus was emphasizing adherence to the essential part of the law of sacrifice, one which had existed from ancient times and with which the righteous Nephites and Lamanites should have been familiar.

The expectation of a broken heart and contrite spirit wasn’t new, but rather renewed as the Savior prepared the people for his ministry among them.
URLhttps://knowhy.bookofmormoncentral.org/content/why-did-jesus-tell-all-people-to-sacrifice-a-broken-heart-and-a-contrite-spirit
Citation Key2383

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Scripture Reference

3 Nephi 9:19-20