374. Maintain the fire on the altar every morning.

Status: Inactive

"And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings." ~ Lev. 6:12

The Priests were commanded to maintain the fire upon the Altar of Burnt Offerings every morning.

The purpose of this commandment helps fulfill other commandments required under the laws of animal sacrifice.  These laws were fulfilled with the death of Jesus Christ.  This commandment has been made inactive due to the following new commandment declared by the Lord:

"And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.  And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit."

~ 3 Nephi 9:19-20

All commandments associated with animal sacrifice, and help fulfill the requirements of animal sacrifice are now inactive.  We are no longer bound to follow these laws, and in fact, are commanded to cease offering such sacrifices.  We are commanded to offer up for a sacrifice, a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  We must obey this commandment in order to have access to the cleansing blood of the Lamb.

"Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered."

~ 2 Nephi 2:7