Leviticus 1

5 witnesses of Christ here.

Jehovah

And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Leviticus 1:1–2

Jehovah, the premortal Christ, speaks from His new dwelling to teach the sacrifices that all point to His own future offering.

VerifiedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4) · another scripture interprets it of Him

interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — 'I am he that gave the law.'

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD. Leviticus 1:3–5

A spotless male dies in the offerer's place, his hand on its head transferring identity, and it is accepted 'to make atonement for him.' Every detail points to Jesus Christ, the sinless one who willingly gave His life and whose blood atones for us.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him

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 is 'every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice.'
a type of what is in 1 Peter 1:19 — 'The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.'
a type of what is in John 10:18 — 'No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.'
a type of what is in Hebrews 9:14 — Christ 'offered himself without spot to God' (footnote 3d).
a type of what is in Hebrews 12:24 — 'Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and ... the blood of sprinkling' (footnote 5b, on 'sprinkle').

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. Leviticus 1:9

The whole animal was given to God and called a sweet savour (repeated in verses 13 and 17). Paul uses the same words for Christ, who gave Himself wholly for us.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

alluded to by Ephesians 5:2 — Christ 'hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.'

Lamb of God

And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish. Leviticus 1:10–13

A spotless male from the flock, often a lamb, is killed before the LORD. It foreshadows Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

a type of what is in John 1:29 — 'Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.'

Sacrifice as a similitude of Christ

And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. Leviticus 1:14–17

Even the poor could bring a burnt offering of birds, and it was just as accepted. The Church links these turtledoves to the offering Mary and Joseph made at Jesus' presentation, and every burnt offering was a similitude of His sacrifice.

VerifiedProphecy or typeAn ordinance that points to Him

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice 'is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.'