Temple Work of Today

The Guilt Offering

In the Old Testament, guilty persons would be required to compensate others for their loss, plus interest.  They were also required to bring an offering to the Lord to atone for their guilt.  These offerings did not necessarily remove a wrong, but simply compensated for it.  This offering was known as a “guilt offering”.  Other incidents requiring a guilt offering included withholding offerings to the Lord out of forgetfulness or the uncertainty of breaking one of God’s commands or not.  An offering could be given to relieve the burden of guilt.

The guilt offering reminded people of the plan Heavenly Father had put together long ago that would eventually compensate or satisfy the guilt of all humanity.  His plan was to send a Servant who would offer his life as the final “guilt offering.”  This Servant would not only atone for all sin, but undo all wrongs by making restitution to God on our behalf.