In the Book of Mormon we are informed that when the Lord commanded Abraham to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice, this act was designed to serve as "a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son" (Jacob 4:5). Matthew Brown lists some of the topological parallels found in a talk by Gerald Lund. that can be seen between Isaac and the Savior. These include:
1. Both Isaac and the Savior were the only begotten sons of their fathers (see Genesis 22:2; Hebrews 11:17-19; 1 John 4:9).
2. Both Isaac and the Savior were in their thirties when they were offered up.
3. Both Isaac and the Savior submitted willingly to being sacrificed.
4. Both Isaac and the Savior were offered up on the mountain where the Jerusalem temple stood.
5. Both Isaac and the Savior carried the wood of their sacrifice upon their backs (see JST Genesis 22:7; John 19:17).
6. Both Isaac and the Savior were bound (see Genesis 22:9; Matthew 27:2).
7. Both Isaac and the Savior were likened unto sacrificial lambs (see Genesis 22:7-8; John 1:29).
According to Brown, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught this very important lesson about Abraham's sacrifice: "The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life he must sacrifice all things." [Matthew B. Brown, The Gate of Heaven, pp. 40-41]
Jacob 4:5 It was accorded unto Abraham . . . in offering up his son Isaac ([Illustration]): Abraham Taking Isaac to Be sacrificed. [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Art, #105]