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Outward Performances

Regarding performing sacrifices according to the Law of Moses among the Nephites—this non-Biblical phrase, outward performances, is used once in the Book of Mormon, in Alma 25:15 to refer to religious rituals, (as opposed to inward work of repentence, or a spiritual relationship with God) as far back as 1671 by Anglican bishop and theologian Robert Sanderson in the context of how far “An hypocrite may go … in the outward performances of holy duties.”

By 1719 this concept had morphed into a Protestant criticism both of ancient Jews under the Law of Moses, as well as Catholics and their rituals, A Private Hand, i.e. anonymous author, Some Arguments p. 133, expounds Isa. ch. 1:

We may learn how grossly they mistook the Meaning of these Sacrifices and outward performances (like the Papist at this day,) resting in the Works done, without looking to the spiritual Intent and Meaning of them, as having an Eye to Christ, for whose sake alone they were accpetable to God; and then they did not seem to consider the spiritual Nature of God, who could not, nor would not, be put off with outside Performances where the Heart is wanting…

So the point is that Protestants had discussed the idea of the Law of Moses prefiguring and pointing to Christ for centuries, frequently using this phrase specifically, well before JS Jr. lifted it into the Book of Mormon in the same context.

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