A doctrine believed to be taught by Brigham Young in connection with theocratic laws and repentance. The doctrine as understood by modern historians is based mainly on two separate statements made by Young and is not usually associated with the church’s temple rites, although early critics of the church attempted to draw a connection between the two. Most modern historians do not associate the two based on additional information about both.
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2 Doctrine and Practice 3 Historical perspective 4 Springville Homicides |
According to Mormon theology, when one repents of sins, it is necessary not only to confess and forsake the sin, but to restore what was lost -- or provide restitution for the sin that was committed. For example, if something is stolen, restitution would require that the item be returned to show true repentance and contrition. This is similar to the Unification Church concept of indemnity.
According to Young’s statements, there are certain sins that people cannot restore that which was taken -- especially with sins such as fornication (loss of chastity) and murder (loss of life). In the latter of these examples, murder, according to Young, it would be better for the sinner to spill his own blood (as required by the Law of Moses) to show that he was willing to give restitution for the life taken. He taught that in a theocratic system of government, such as the Law of Moses, the Lord could require capital punishment as part of repentance for shedding innocent blood. Young most likely used this as a way to highlight the seriousness of murder to the church members in the western frontier, where vigilante justice was often carried out.
Modern Mormon apologetics compare Young’s statement to similar ones made by Jesus Christ. Christ mentioned in the New Testament that it would be better for those who offend children (many Christians believe this refers to various types of child abuse -- sexual, physical and emotional) to have a millstone hung around their neck and thrown into the depths of the sea than to be born.
Critics of the doctrine say that Young was encouraging members of the church to murder apostates and give various examples including the Springville murders (see below) as evidence.
Purely speaking, the doctrine as taught by Young and others teaches that no man can be saved from their sins except by blood -- and in particular -- the blood of Jesus Christ. The doctrines of the Church confirm that the Atonement took place by the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and all those who believe, repent, are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost have full access to the Atonement. The doctrine is expanded to that if afterward receiving these saving ordinances, a person commits a ‘grievous sin such as the shedding of innocent blood,’ the act must be restored by a voluntarily submission to a penalty as directed by God to His servants, which may include death or suicide.
The church has taught that this doctrine can only be practiced when the civil and ecclesiastical laws are "administered in the same hands," such as in the days of Moses or King David.
Church historian Joseph Fielding Smith Jr. taught the following about Blood atonement:
Background
Doctrine and Practice
Some critics (including R.C. Evans, a second counselor in the RLDS, now Community of Christ church in an attempt to discredit Brigham Young as Joseph Smith’s successor) of the LDS church during the late 1800s and early 1900s drew a comparison to these teachings and certain penalties that members of the church would make in temples. These members would describe in detail various ways they would rather die, including slitting their necks, than break their covenants with God to obey Him and build up His church. This was done by the covenant-maker to show their understanding of the gravity of making covenants with God. Most modern historians, however, do not tie the two teachings together and credit Joseph Smith with the doctrine’s origin.