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KIRK - I'd like to ask a few questions... 1st why is cain's offering not accepted by the Lord?
JOEL - Gen 4: 3-5
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Moses 5: 18
18 And Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offer.
God could not accept Cain’s offering because Cain did not have faith in God and it was not the proper kind of sacrifice. In giving his sacrifice, Cain was obeying Satan, not God. That is why the Lord did not accept it. Satan knew Cain’s offering would not be accepted, and he was pleased that he had led someone to do wrong.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught:
“By faith in this atonement or plan of redemption, Abel offered to God a sacrifice that was accepted, which was the firstlings of the flock. Cain offered of the fruit of the ground, and was not accepted, because he could not do it in faith: he could have no faith, or could not exercise faith contrary to the plan of heaven." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 48).
KIRK - 2nd - Could cains offerring could have been accepted by the Lord should cain did not follow satan?
JOEL - At first Cain was probably considered a righteous individual. The scriptures infer that he was blessed by communication with the Father and was instructed by messengers from his presence. No doubt he held the Priesthood. But he eventually sinned against the light and loved Satan more than God.
Also, the offering had to be a representation of the shedding of blood of Jesus which could only be done by the offering of a live animal. Therefore the offering he made would not be appropriate and therefore not accepted, even if he did not follow Satan.
If he had followed God he would have known this and would have offered a blood sacrifice which would have been accepted if he had done it in faith and obedience to God.
KIRK - 3rd - Is 'firstlings of the flocks' must always be from sheep or lamb?
JOEL - It didn't have to be sheep and lambs. The Lord allowed for different animals to be used as sacrifices in nearly all offerings. This ensured that all, no matter how poor, could make an offering. The offering of the animals followed a general format, though there were some unique differences from animal to animal.Animals accepted as a burnt offering were bullocks, male lambs and goats, and turtle doves.
KIRK - 4th - When the Lord instructed Adam and Eve to make a sacrifice does the Lord mean they should offer animal offering as a sacrifice?
JOEL - Yes.
"And he gave unto them (Adam and Eve) commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord." (Moses 5:5)
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