Ezekiel 40

Sacrifice as a similitude of the Only Begotten

And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering. Ezekiel 40:38–43

The tables for burnt, sin and trespass offerings are built into the very gate of the temple. Latter-day scripture teaches that these animal sacrifices were a likeness of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten, pointing to the great and last sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

• interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.
• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The whole meaning of the law points to the great and last sacrifice, the Son of God.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant name, rendered LORD; the premortal Christ

And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him. Ezekiel 40:46

The priests of the temple come near to the LORD, Jehovah, to serve Him. Latter-day Saints understand Jehovah to be Jesus Christ before His birth, so the temple is His house and its service is to Him.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• interprets D&C 110:1-4 — Jehovah appears in the Kirtland Temple and declares that He was slain and lives, identifying Jehovah as Christ.