The Pearl of Great Price does not mention circumcision, however we learn more about Abraham. Some observations from the Pearl of Great Price may help us better understand the context for circumcision.

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In the book of Abraham we learn about the culture that Abraham came from. What was the great evil that he was surrounded by?

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5 My fathers, having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to hearken to my voice;

 

6 For their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt;

 

7 Therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah. The priest of Elkenah was also the priest of Pharaoh. (Abraham !:5-7)

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Human sacrifice is a topic that comes up in the Bible several times. It is clearly condemned by the Lord (Deuteronomy 12:31). But, in the Book of Abraham we see that Abraham was personally affected and surrounded by the wicked practice. Note how in verse 7 Abraham says: "...and hearkened not unto my voice." He was actively preaching against human sacrifice.

 

Later in the chapter Abraham himself is offered up to idols as a sacrifice, and the Lord saves him. This seems to be Abraham's burning bush moment, mission call and start of his ministry. Later we know that through Abraham, Jehova institutes the Abrahamic covenant (with the sign of circumcision). Ultimately Abraham is asked to sacrifice his own son Isaac. Surely Abraham should have been the last person for the Lord to ask to do such a thing because Abraham himself was almost a human sacrifice. The Lord sparing Issac became a parable against human sacrifice (and a parable foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice)

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Truth is always the same but God's message is often tailored to the people and language of the day. It's one of the reasons prophetic guidance is necessary in every age. For example in the Bible and Book of Mormon the oneness of the Godhead is emphasized likely because the Prophets needed to counter the prevalent false belief in polytheism and idolatry. However modern Prophets emphasize three separate beings united in purpose to counter the prevalent false belief in trinitarianism.

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Study Questions

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1. How might Abraham's teachings have been tailored to counter the evils of his day?

2. Many people assume that child sacrifice is something born out of pure evil. Do you think so? Could people with seeming good intentions be convinced that they are making the ultimate sacrifice?

3. How might circumcision speak to people in a child sacrificing culture?

4. Many anthropologists have suggested that circumcision was a substitute for child sacrifice. Might the message conveyed with circumcision be that child sacrifice isn't necessary, instead the Lord requires much less or a substitute like the ram in the thicket?

5. Do we live in a child sacrificing culture? Might prevalent abortion qualify because many people sacrifice their unborn children in hopes of a better future for themselves?

6. How does Christ's sacrifice, speak to a sacrificing culture? Might all sacrifices become irrelevant in comparison to the infinite sacrifice of a God? What are we asked to sacrifice instead?