Jewish views on sin also call Him who knows all secrets to witness that he will never return to this sin again. Atonement for sins is discussed in the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament. Rituals for atonement occurred in the Temple in Jerusalem, and were performed by the "Kohanim", the Israelite priests. These services included song, prayer, offerings and animal sacrifices known as the "korbanot". The rites for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, are prescribed in the book of Leviticus chapter 16. The ritual of the scapegoat, sent into the wilderness to be claimed by Azazel, was one of
Blood atonement simply is no such thing among us as a doctrine of blood atonement that grants a remission of sins or confers any other benefit upon a person because his own blood is shed for sins. Let me say categorically and unequivocally that this doctrine can only operate in a day when there is no separation of Church and State and when the power to take life is vested in the ruling theocracy as was the case in the day of Moses. Regarding "blood atonement" in a theocracy, the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" states: Several early Church leaders, most notably Brigham Young,