Temple 2: Primordial Sacrifice

This is the most famous and elegant of the representations of the primordial bull sacrifice by Mithra (“tauroktonos“).  (2nd century AD, Vatican Museum, “Animal Room” Rome)

The idea of a primordial sacrifice–often of a god by the gods–is widespread throughout ancient world religions.  The idea is generally that an infusion of divine life was necessary to transform chaotic matter into an ordered world.

This general concept is reflected in a number of LDS scripture:

• Christ “was prepared from before the foundation of the world.” (Moses 5:57 = JST Genesis 5:43; Jn 17:24, 1 Pet 1:20)

• Christ’s atonement was undertaken from the foundation of the world (Mosiah 4:6-7, 15:19, Eth 3:14, DC 29:46); Revelation 13:8 “the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (katabolēs kosmou); Moses 7:47 “the Lamb is slain from the foundation of the world”

• temple ordinances were established “before the foundation of the world” (DC 124:33; 128:5, 8; 132:5, 63; Al 13:3, 7)