This is PART 2 of a multiple part posting, please read PART 1 to get the background.

The dividing of the heifer, goat, and ram into two pieces was symbolic of the covenant God makes between Him and each one of us. Hence, the two divided pieces represent one piece as God and the other piece as us. Since the menorah was a perfect symbol of Christ, but more specifically Christ’s atonement, the significance of each of the animal sacrifices will cover the three ways the atonement saves and helps us.

First, the heifer, it is the biggest of the three animals and contains the most blood. Anciently, the heifer was sacrificed on the other side of the Kidron Valley in an area called Gethsemane. This is where Christ bled and suffered for our sins. He suffered from the inside out. In D&C 19:15-20 He bled at every pore and trembled because of the pain. This animal sacrifice represents the part of the atonement that shed the most blood to save us from our sins if we repent.

Second, the goat was also known as the scapegoat. Anciently the temple priest would lay his hands on the goat to transfer the people’s sins and burdens to the goat and then it was let go to escape into the wilderness to perish. The location of this goat sacrifice was called, by the apostle John, Gabbatha (see John 19:1-13) and is the place where Jesus was scourged and suffered the stripes and burdens of us all. This animal sacrifice represents the part of the atonement that carries our burdens.

Third, the ram, which in Hebrew means exalt. Anciently the ram was sacrificed on a mount known as Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified. This animal sacrifice represents the part of the atonement that will lift us up or exalt us, just like Jesus was lifted up on the cross.

Therefore, the three animal sacrifices symbolically cover the three ways the atonement saves and helps us, from our sins, our burdens and being exalted and lifted up through the resurrection. The menorah or the Tree of Life is a perfect symbol of Christ’s atonement.

Other related posts: Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

(Special thanks to Lee Donaldson-CES instructor-for these insights)