Symbol of Blood, Part 1

Two scriptures are the source of a new question. First, Lev. 17:11, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." This is a suprisingly beautiful scripture in the middle of otherwise detailed prescriptions for the Law of Moses. What is the significance of 'blood' in the Atonement and why does it figure so prominently in our Church's symbolism?

Second is a great scripture in Moses 6, verses 59-62. I won't quote for space. This scripture is amazing because it is a single sentence (see punctuation) that attempts to state the entire plan of salvation in one sentece. Again in these scriptures the words, "This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten."

Before I can really get to the question of the blood, I first need to nail down with exactness the difference between 'Justification' and 'Sanctification'. Part of the blood answer is in the subtle difference of these two words. Again see the scripture in Moses 6 to see why that is true.

According to various Bible dictionaries that explain the Greek root, Justify is to make righteous. It is also the act of declaring that someone is made righteous. Sanctify is similar. Sanctify is to make holy. So what is the difference between being righteous and holy? Justify in the secular sense is to demonstrate something to be right. That still supports to make righteous.

First, justification. Here are some key scriptures on being justified. It is really interesting that most of the scriptures cited under 'Justify' in the Topical Guide don't actually have the word 'justify' in them. 3 Nephi 27:16 is cited for Justify. It reads,

"And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world."

Many other of the scriptures also contain concepts of removing guilt. Removing guilt seems to equate to forgiveness, or being pardonned. My assumption is that to be Justified is to be forgiven. That makes sense with the Greek definition of made righteous - to be forgiven. To be forgiven of disobedience and made righteous.

We spent a lot of time in the student stake proving that Sanctification is something more than just being forgiven. I'll note some of those proof points tomorrow.