The Law of Moses: A study of the Book of Mormon
What is the law and why do we keep it?
Jacob 4:5 “And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him,”
Inside the church today we can relate our carnal commandments and ordinances as the Law of Moses albeit under a different banner. So, what is the purpose of the ordinances performed in the Church and what if any power do they have? We may even be familiar with the term “saving ordinances” - where did this idea come from? The word “saving” is only found in 3-different places inside the Book of Mormon referring to suffering and being the means of savings others. However, the word “saved” is found an additional 93 times to include chapter headings. With most instances referring to the process to come to Christ in one form or another but never referencing an ordinance as an end to the means of salvation. So how can an ordinance actually save us then, where does this idea come from, and what value if any does an ordinance have?
So, we ask, “can we get baptized, take the sacrament each week, and go to a temple every-day with an assumption we are saved?”
The short answer is a resounding “NO”. This was not only the error of Laman and Lemuel. But also, a false tradition of the Jews highlighted in Christ’s ministry when the Jews held the Law above Christ.
1 Nephi 17:22 “…and we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people;”
Romans 10:12 “For there is no difference between the Jews (LDS) and the Greek (all else): for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”
If we continue to read Nephi 17 from the 23rd verse to the 47th verse Nephi explains the distance that is placed from Christ by strict obedience to the law as an end. Multiple times Nephi explains how only when guided by the Lord or hearkening to His voice Israel was saved and because Israel “rejected every word of God” they were now, “ripe in iniquity” (1 Nephi 17:35). We could add here that Israel keep the Law by the letter.
So, does keeping the Law automatically make us a righteous people or does the Law provide salvation to those who keep it? An honest study of scripture the author can only conclude "no" the law does not provide salvation without a Savior. Our misunderstandings, unbelief, and false traditions imply ordinances have the power to save by our obedience to them. A closer examination provides a better understanding of the purpose of the Law of Moses and the Ordinance or the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
False Traditions:
As ordinances are performed throughout the world in our Sunday and temple worship if all that is understood is the requirement of salvation has been performed; the ordinance we can assume has been done in vain and profited nothing. For there is no work that has that kind of power to save. Abinidi asked King Noah this very question when he asked, “Doth salvation come by the Law of Moses? What say ye? (Mosiah 12:32). The priest answered in the affirmative and then Abinidi goes into chapter 13 to explain the error in King Noah and his priest or “The Church’s” doctrine and traditions at the time.
Keep in mind Abinidi does not want to discount the Law and the ordinances by God, but Abinidi does desires them to find Christ and receive a testimony of the teaching methods of the Lord. Abinidi has no disillusions of the purpose of the Law even to the point he recognizes in the same dialogue that there will be a time where the Law is not required to be kept. Nephi also expresses this in 4 Nephi 1:12.
Mosiah 13: 27-28 – “And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.
28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.”
4 Nephi 1:12 – “And they did not walk any more after the a performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.”
If the scriptures are an indication of today, the teachings of Abinidi’s apply to those who will read them and who profess to be the Lord’s people. Do not let an idea that King Noah and his priest were dancing around in Satanic robs performing all manner of abominations in defiance of Christ disconnect the reader from the reality. We should understand we are those who profess to be God’s chosen people in the scriptures. Whether that is Laman and Lemuel, King Noah’s people, or the Nephites Samuel the Lamanite spoke against. If the Israelites were guilty of sinning in a certain manner, we can guarantee we have done or are doing the same thing. That is the pattern God has revealed to us through His word so we will not be deceived (DC 52:14) and be lifted up in our own pride by the Adversary as he comes amongst us.
If we believe the ordinances have saved us we are in great error, for this is the deception of the Devil and leads to the belief all is well in Zion - “for [we] kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that [we] are a righteous people;”
Thus, we arrived at salvation where none is to be received; we stop searching for Christ. This has been brought up to help us focus on the intent and purpose of the Law or any Commandment and it is plain and simple - to bring us to Christ. Until Christ seals us His we have no way of knowing we have received anything.
Application and Meaning of the Law of Moses: Coming to Christ
Mosiah 12:27-28, 31 “Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people? 28 And they said: We teach the law of Moses….31 “for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And what know ye concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye? 32 And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Moses.
The Lord has declared that he wants our hearts and minds. We can't end our search at the law. For we need to continue to look forward. We truly need to endure to the end. For He is the “end” from the beginning.
Alma 25:15-16 – “… for it was expedient that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that he should be revealed unto them. 16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ…"
Here we see how the Law is preparing us and helping us to look forward to Christ by providing a type and serving to strengthen our faith in Christ. When He ultimately will reveal Himself to us. This is to be done prior to entering the path for He is the gatekeeper and He employeth no servant there (2 Nephi 9:41). How can we assume we have entered a gate without meeting the gatekeeper? Alma 30 teaches us to keep the law until all is fulfilled and what is he referring to? It’s Christ, for this intent, [the coming of Christ], we keep the Law (Jacob 4:5). He can and will come to us individually if we desire, knock, and search.
A matter of fact it's a requirement to our ascension.
Speaking of the Church with an understanding of the purpose and position of the Church in a telestial sphere it’s design and intent is to get us prepared for the millennium or terrestrial sphere to dwell with Christ. This is shown throughout the temple which is in symbolic of and in preparation for what is to come or what we are looking forward to. The teachings of the temple only have effect if applied to our daily life.
Alma 34:14 – “And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.”
As we come to this additional truth we are likened unto the righteous who “observe strictly to keep the commandments of God, according to the Law,” we must understand there is a purpose and intent to those commandments and quite simply put to get us to Christ and none else. Do not let others tell you its no more expedient (3 Nephi 1:24) but help all understand the purpose and intent of the Law. Never stop reaching for the Heavens and pleading with the Father to show you the way until we enter into His rest - IN THIS LIFE!
3 Nephi 9:7-18 – “And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
4 Nephi 1:12 – “And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.”
Alma 34:32 – 33 “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God…if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.”
I leave you with my testimony that today is the day to seek the face of the Lord. The Lord’s end times servants are on the Earth preparing for the return of Christ and if we desire to make it into the millennium, we have to be able to abide the coming day and dwell in the presence of Christ. Seek Him and He will show you what we must do individually to come unto Him to live.
I love you dear Brothers and Sisters. The Lord lives and He is speaking to his children. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
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