I will sacrafice a goat and pray for you.... /s
Uh...I think black sheep was Joe Smith's first preference. (Ya know...not only a word picture within the family of religion...but also historically true...see below)
Hey, perhaps the "living Mormon 'prophet'" could be approached to see if he does things the way Joe Smith did.
Janis Hutchinson is an ex-Mormon. And her research shows the following on Smith's animal sacrifices:
Josephs Participation in Animal Sacrifice
Animal sacrifice was part of the treasure divining business. At that time, it was understood that there were both good and bad spirits guarding treasures. According to magic books, white animals [were] sacrificed to the good Spirits and black to the evil. Therefore, Smith procured a black sheep for one occasion, claiming it was the only way to appease the evil spirit of a particular treasure. They were to cut its throat and lead it around in a circle while bleeding. Smith even sacrificed a dog on one occasion. Mr. Stafford, the owner of the sheep, was later asked by M. Wilford Poulson, if Smith stole a black sheep from him. Staffords response was: No, not exactly . . . he did miss a black sheep, but soon Joseph came and admitted he took it for sacrifice but he was willing to work for it. He made wooden sap buckets to fully pay for it.
A nephew of William Stafford testified: Jo Smith, the prophet, told my uncle, William Stafford, he wanted a fat, black sheep. He said he wanted to cut its throat and make it walk in a circle three times around and it would prevent a pot of money from leaving.
JOSEPHS OCCULT PRACTICES USED IN HIS CHURCH AND TEMPLE CEREMONY
In addition to Smiths peep stones and divining rods, he also carried animal sacrifice into his new religion. For example, he refused to let Willard Richards be ordained an apostle unless a lamb was first slaughtered and sacrificed in the temple. Joseph soon incorporated animal sacrifice into his new priesthood. He stated: It is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e.] the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in [sic] future; but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the Priesthood, or with the Prophets. . . . These sacrifices as well as every ordinance belonging to the Priesthood, will, when the Temple of the Lord shall be built, and the sons of Levi be purified, be fully restored and attended to in all their powers, ramifications, and blessings. . . . It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued.
Source: Janis Hutchinson, JOSEPH SMITHS INVOLVEMENT WITH MAGIC, MASONRY, AND THE OCCULT
For a link to a discussion of this article, you can go to: FR discussion on Joseph Smith's involvement with Magic, Masonry, and the Occult MAGIC, MASONRY, AND THE OCCULT
Why thank you ;)