Blood Atonement

            One of the more extreme practices of the early church is known as blood atonement.  The doctrine of blood atonement stated that the blood of Christ is sufficient to cover most of our basic everyday sins, but it could not atone for the breaking of covenants.  In these instances, the only way for an individual to “be exalted with the Gods” is to be killed and have his or her blood spilled.  Brigham states, “There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it; and the judgments of the Almighty will come, sooner or later, and every man and woman will have to atone for breaking their covenants” (JD 3:247).  In another instance, President Young said:

I want all the people to say what they will do, and I know that God wishes all His servants, all His faithful sons and daughters, the men and the women that inhabit this city, to repent of their wickedness, or we will cut them off. … I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it is strong doctrine; but it is to save them, not to destroy them. … I do know that there are sins committed, of such a nature that if the people did understand the doctrine of salvation, they would tremble because of their situation. And furthermore, I know that there are transgressors, who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them, and that the law might have its course. I will say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins (JD 4:53).

In another talk later in this volume, when discussing this doctrine, President Young asks a disturbing question: “Will you love your brothers or sisters likewise, when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of their blood? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood?” (JD 4:219).  Apparently, we don’t love each other today as much as the saints did under Brigham Young.