The Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses

By Elliaison

The Two Gospels

Few seem to realize that there are two gospels taught in the scriptures. The Preparatory Gospel which is also called the Law of Moses and the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ sometimes called “the Higher Law” although this name is never mentioned in the scriptures.

There are three key differences between the Preparatory Gospel and the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These differences will be discussed later. First, we need to understand the Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses.

The Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses

The Preparatory Gospel is administered by the Aaronic Priesthood and includes:

The law of Carnal Commandments
Repentance
Baptism
The Remission of Sins

D&C 84:25-27
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
26 And the lesser (Aaronic) priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

Heb. 7:11
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical (Aaronic) priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

As stated in the verses above, this Preparatory Gospel was given by Moses to the Children of Israel and became known as the Law of Moses or in many instances just “the law”.

The Law, Sin and Punishment

Notice that in the Preparatory Gospel, we are told that there is a "law of carnal commandments" given. This is the entire list of commandments given under the law. All of the “thou shalt” and “thou shalt not” rules that dictate every aspect of life under the law are part of the "law of carnal commandments".

Additionally, (as with all modern laws), each of the laws of carnal commandments has an associated punishment defined as a penalty for breaking the law. This is important to understand because, without the punishment, the law is merely a suggestion and not a law at all. Without a punishment, the law would have no power or sting and the people would be free to live them or not. All laws require punishments including the Law of Moses or the Law of Carnal Commandments as given in the Preparatory Gospel.

Alma 42:17
17 ...How could there be a law save there was a punishment?

2 Nephi 9:25
25 Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation;

Once the law is given, with an associated punishment, the people have the option to live the law or to break the law. Breaking the law is called “sin”.

1 John 3:4-5
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

It is vitally important that we realize, if there is no law, then there can be no sin because sin is to break the law. If the law doesn’t exist then there is nothing to break, no punishment and no sin.

Alma 42:17
17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?

2 Nephi 2:13
13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin…

Romans 7:8-9
8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Romans 5:13
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed (assigned ) when there is no law.

Alma 42:21
21 And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?

Romans 3:20
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Romans 4:15
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

1 Corinthians 15:56
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Taking this line of thinking a little further, we realize that if there is no law, then there is no sin and without sin, there is no repentance.

Alma 42:17
17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?

When we look at the Preparatory Gospel in this way, we realize that the entire thing hangs on the law of carnal commandments. If the law of Carnal Commandments is taken away, then all of the other principles related to the preparatory Gospel are irrelevant.

All Principles of the Preparatory Gospel require the law of Carnal Commandments:

The law of Carnal Commandments – If this is removed, then there is no sin…
Repentance - Without sin there can be no Repentance…
Baptism - Without repentance, Baptism is meaningless and not required…
The Remission of Sins – Without sin, there is no need for a remission of sins.

Moroni 8:22-24
22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—
23 But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works.
24 Behold, my son, this thing ought not to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation and under the curse of a broken law.

Romans 2:12
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Romans 4:15
15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Romans 5:13
13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed, (assigned), when there is no law.

The Law – Why It Was Given

The Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses has been “given” several times throughout history. The most notable being the Children of Israel under Moses. What is interesting is that the Lord tried to give the Children of Israel the “higher law” or fulness of the gospel first, but, they rejected it, so, the Lord became angry with them and in his wrath he gave them the Aaronic Priesthood which administered the Preparatory Gospel.

D&C 84:19-27
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
…
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

When the Lord tried to give them the higher law or fulness of the Gospel, He did not give them a law of carnal commandments. The law of carnal commandments is not part of the Fulness of the Gospel, it is only part of the Preparatory Gospel which was given after they rejected the higher law.

JST, Exodus 34:1-2
1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two other tables of stone, like unto the first, and I will write upon them also, the words of the law, according as they were written at the first on the tables which thou brakest; but it shall not be according to the first, for I will take away the priesthood out of their midst; therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof, shall not go before them; for my presence shall not go up in their midst, lest I destroy them.
2 But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal commandment; for I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my presence, into my rest, in the days of their pilgrimage. Therefore do as I have commanded thee, and be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me, in the top of the mount.

If the Children of Israel had accepted the higher law first, then they would never have received the Preparatory Gospel along with the law of Carnal Commandments. We later see that the Gentiles are given the higher law and accept it and so are never placed under the preparatory Gospel, (Acts 15). The Law of Carnal commandments, (the law), if given to the wicked as a result of transgression.

Galatians 3:19
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

1 Timothy 1:9-10
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

The Law is given to wicked people because of transgression. It is given with a punishment that creates an unnatural remorse of conscience in those who are unremorseful naturally. In other words, the natural man who is selfish and does not love his neighbor will seek his own interests at the expense of his neighbor. He does not feel remorse for harming others. The law is given to the natural man to bring about remorse of conscience and make them afraid to “sin”.

Alma 42:18-20
18 Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
19 Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?
20 And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.

So, the wicked are given the law which uses the threat of punishment to prevent them from acting according to their wicked nature.

The Law – A Curse

It is impossible to live under the law and not sin or break the law. Everyone under the law is condemned. No one is justified by the law.

Galatians 3:21-22
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

Romans 3:20
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

James 2:10
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Galatians 2:16
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Acts 13:39
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

This means that EVERYONE under the law is condemned. The law then is a curse.

Galatians 3:10,13
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
…
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Nehemiah 10:29
29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

Acts 15:10
(The Law is) a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Moroni 8:24
24 Behold, my son, this thing ought not to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation and under the curse of a broken law.

The law is given to the wicked because they are wicked and they need it. If you are under the law, then you are considered wicked. Being wicked, you are condemned and cursed to suffer the penalties of your sins having no grace or mercy.

Galatians 5:4
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

It just so happens that those under the law are judged by the law according to their works receiving no grace. They receive no grace because they don’t receive the gospel or the testimony of Jesus and so they live as though there had been no atonement made. This is the state of those who inherit the Telestial Kingdom, no other kingdom is judged by their works according to the law.

D&C 76:109,111
109 But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore;
...
101 But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant.
…
111 For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared;

The Law - Why the Righteous Don’t Need It

The difference between the righteous and the wicked is that the righteous hear the Lord’s voice and follow him.

D&C 84:52-53
52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.
53 And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked...

Mosiah 26:21 & 28
21 And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.
…
28 Therefore I say unto you, that he that will not hear my voice, the same shall ye not receive into my church, for him I will not receive at the last day.

D&C 38:6
6 And even so will I cause the wicked to be kept, that will not hear my voice but harden their hearts, and wo, wo, wo, is their doom…

Mosiah 16:2
2 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.

The Voice of the Lord is the Spirit or the Holy Ghost.

D&C 18:35-36
35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, ...
36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.

D&C 75:1
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I who speak even by the voice of my Spirit, even Alpha and Omega, your Lord and your God—

D&C 97:1
1 Verily I say unto you my friends, I speak unto you with my voice, even the voice of my Spirit, that I may show unto you my will...

D&C 88:66
66 Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness—in the wilderness, because you cannot see him—my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound.

D&C 68:3-4
3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.

God has promised to give the Holy Ghost to everyone who truly repents or changes from the self-centered natural man to a selfless man committed to being righteous. Because the Holy Ghost is given only after this conversion, it becomes a sign that a person has been truly converted.

2 Nephi 31:17-18
For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

The Holy Ghost is received by faith in Christ and the true desire to give up our evils ways and become righteous. Notice in the following example how the people under King Benjamin Repented and the Holy Ghost brought about in them a change in their hearts so that they had no more desire to do evil, but to do good continually.

Mosiah 4:2-3,5:2
2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.
3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.
...
2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

This then illustrates the difference between the wicked and the righteous. The wicked have a desire or disposition to do evil. Because they desire evil, the Lord withholds His spirit from them.

D&C 64:16
16 They sought evil in their hearts, and I, the Lord, withheld my Spirit.

They are interested in their own self-interests and take no thought for the sake of others. The only reason they keep the law is for fear of punishment and without that fear of punishment they would break the law or do evil all day long. Even with the law in place, they are likely to break if it they thought they could do it without being caught and punished. This is what makes them wicked and the very reason they need the law. The wicked try to avoid personal pain or damage and are willing to hurt others to do so. If they cause damage to others they seek to avoid correcting that damage at their own expense and will go to great lengths to fight against doing what is right for the sake of preserving their self-interests.

The righteous on the other hand have repented. They didn’t repent of just one sin or broken law, or even a given set of laws, they repented of their desire to do evil in all of its forms. They give up all their sins and repent of BEING wicked so much that they no longer desire to do evil, but to do good continually. Another example of how this works is King Lamoni’s father who was converted by the teachings of Aaron. Notice how Aaron instructed him to repent of all of his sins, and when the king did, he was overcome and carried away in the spirit.

Alma 22:16-18
16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:
18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead, (being carried away in the spirit).

The righteous have been truly converted to righteousness for the sake of being righteous even when doing so causes them injury. If they cause damage to others, they are committed to correcting that damage regardless of the impact to their own self-interests. They are committed to doing good regardless and irrespective of the law or the punishment. They don’t need a law or the threat of death to dissuade them from killing their enemy because they have no desire to do evil. They are converted to righteousness whatever that may be in any given situation.

Because of this conversion to righteousness, they are given the spirit to help them along the path to learn the ways of righteousness and they are told that this spirit will tell them all things that they should do. The Preparatory Gospel or the law becomes old and removed and all things become new.

3 Nephi 12:46-47
46 Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled.
47 Old things are done away, and all things have become new.

The Law – When It’s Removed

At the moment of their conversion to righteousness, they gain the spirit. Because they are converted to being righteous, they no longer need the threat of punishment by the law to motivate them to do what is right or good. The law no longer serves a purpose. It becomes fulfilled in that individual’s life and is removed.

Gal. 5:18
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Gal. 3:23-25
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Romans 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 7:1-4
1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
…
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Heb. 7:11-12
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

When we experience the mighty change of heart that causes us to have no more desire to do evil but to do good continually, then we are forgiven of our sins, baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost and the law is removed.

When the law is removed, so too is the punishment, condemnation and ability to sin, repent and receive the remission of sins. The Law and Preparatory Gospel are fulfilled and no longer apply.

Romans 3:19
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:

Romans 6:14-15
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

2 Nephi 9:25
25 Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him.

Gal. 4:4-5
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Because sin requires a law to sin against, when the law is removed, it becomes impossible to sin or break the law. Only the wicked who are under the law can sin. They are under the law because they desire evil which places them in the power of the devil. The righteous no longer desire evil. When their hearts are changed to good, they are born of God and receive His spirit. When we are born of God and changed from our natural carnal state, we can no longer sin.

John 3:6-10
6 Whosoever abideth in him (Christ) sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Moroni 7:6-11
6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.
10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift.
11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil.

They are no longer judged by their works according to the law as the Telestial are.They are redeemed from the fall of Adam back to the Terrestrial world. (The Law is only given to the Telestial, fallen man or the wicked.) Having been redeemed from the fall, they are returned to a Terrestrial state. The law is removed and they live by grace. They have a testimony of Jesus which freed them from the law, but were not valiant in that testimony.

D&C 76:71-72
71 And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament.
72 Behold, these are they who died without law;
…
79 These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God.

Romans 6:14-15
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 2:12
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

This does not mean that a person born of God doesn’t make mistakes or even at times serious errors. It means that they are trying to do good to the best of their knowledge and ability.

The law of Carnal commandments which is administered by the Aaronic Priesthood as part of the Preparatory Gospel was written on cold hard stone and is enforced by man. This law becomes old and is removed and replaced by a new law written on their hearts and their minds by God.

Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 ¶ Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Hebrews 10:16-17
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Notice the direct connection between receiving the new law in your heart and mind and the Holy Ghost which speaks to our hearts and minds.

D&C 8:2-3
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

Because the old law was written on cold hard stone for all men to see, it applied to everyone and was enforceable by men. The old law with its sins and punishments is fulfilled and gone.

The new law in our hearts doesn’t use the reactive fear of punishment as its motivation, it uses the proactive desire for righteousness as its motivating force. The new law is individually given based on the particular needs and abilities of the individual. It is tailored to their own lives, situations and progression by the Lord directly. Because it is received and known in the heart and mind of the person, it is not enforceable by man like the old law. Rather than the unrelated external punishments enforced by the lower law, this new law uses the natural consequences of their actions and the spirit to them. Unless the person tells someone, no one else knows the direction they receive from the Lord.

Even though they are not yet perfect, they retain the spirit as a constant companion to help them along with their journey toward perfection. It doesn’t matter how far they are from perfection, they are covered by the grace of God through the atonement because of the good desires of their heart to learn and live good lives.

The spirit will guide them even when they make mistakes. They didn’t gain it by living perfect, so it doesn’t leave them because of error. The spirit comes not by worthiness according to the law/flesh, but by the righteousness of faith.

Gal. 3:1-3
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

D&C 44:2
2 And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together.

Jarom 1:4
4 And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith.

Romans 9:30-32
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Romans 4:4-5
4 Now to him that worketh (according to the law) is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not (according to the law), but believeth on him that JUSTIFY the UNGODLY, his faith is counted for righteousness.
…
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Romans 10:5-10
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise…
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Search “righteousness of faith” as there are too many references to list.)

Just as Jesus spent much of his time with those who were considered sinners but desired to be good, so too does the spirit strive with us in our weakness to help us to become better.

The word strive means:

Strive (verb)
1. make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.
2. struggle or fight vigorously.

The spirit will strive with us. It will make great efforts to help us achieve our goal of being righteous. It will struggle or fight vigorously as long as we are willing and still desire goodness. However, there is a point at which the spirit will cease to strive with us.

This happens after we have become so wicked that Satan has full reign over our hearts.

2 Nephi 26:11
11 For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul.

Ether 15:19
19 But behold, the Spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them, and Satan had full power over the hearts of the people; for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed; wherefore they went again to battle.

We see an example of how this works in the life of the Brother of Jarod who was leading his people under the direction of the Lord. When they arrived at a great sea, they pitched their tents and lived there for four years. During this time, for whatever reason, the Brother of Jarod stopped praying and seeking guidance from the Lord. After four years of no significant progress, the Lord came to the Brother of Jarod and chastised him for three hours. The brother of Jarod realized that he had done wrong and began to pray again for his people. The Lord forgave them but warned them that “if they sinned until they were fully ripe, they would be cut off from the presence of the Lord.” Notice that they are not cut off from the presence of the Lord even though they are sinning UNTIL they are fully ripe. This is because the spirit of the Lord, (which is the Lord’s presence), will continue to strive with them until they are fully ripe.

Ether 2:15
15 And the brother of Jared repented of the evil which he had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethren who were with him. And the Lord said unto him: I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And these are my thoughts upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for it shall be a land choice above all other lands.

The prophet Jonah is another example of how the Lord will strive with us even when we are not doing what we have been directed by the spirit to do. In some instances we see Bishops, Stake Presidents and other leaders who continue to have the spirit and revelation directing them while they are committing terrible sins like adultery. This is all because the spirit has not ceased to strive with them. It does not mean that the spirit condones what they are doing, only that it is trying to help them to overcome their weakness and become better people just as it does with all of us.

Finally, we have a warning from the Lord who tells us that if we become so wicked that we deny him, (his spirit), after having received it, it would be better if we had not known him.

2 Nephi 31:14
14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me.

How the Law is Intended to Work

There is a natural process that the law or preparatory gospel follow which we have all lived without knowing. The process is as follows:

Living without the law
Begin Transgressing and doing things that are not good
The Law and punishment is given to teach us and help us to correct our behavior
We live under the law and suffer the punishments for breaking the law
We master the lesson the law is teaching and learn to control/govern ourselves
The law and punishment are removed
We continue to govern ourselves without the fear of the law

The following is a true story from an Elliaison contributor which shows how this process works in everyday life.

A Law Fulfilled

“While working at the Federal Bankruptcy Court in Nevada, my wife and I decided to purchase 4 investment properties at the same time. The process of purchasing a single property can be exhausting and require a significant amount of communication between inspectors, agents, brokers and lenders. Closing 4 at a time was even more so.

Within a few weeks I was spending 3-4 hours a day on the phone handling my personal business while being paid to work for the Bankruptcy Court. My boss called me into her office to discuss the problem. She told me that normally there is no problem with making a personal call during business hours but that I had abused that privilege and I was no longer allowed to make personal calls. She told me that she was not going to write me up or put anything on my permanent record but that if I made a call during work hours she would. Because of my transgression, I was given a law and a punishment.

I adjusted to the new rule and only made personal calls before work, at lunch or after work. Somehow, we were able to close all the properties without spending hours on the phone each day.

About 2 months later I got a message from my wife who desperately needed to talk with me. She knew that I couldn’t talk during business hours and so was reluctant to call. However, do to the circumstances we needed to talk and couldn’t wait until lunch. I went into my bosses office and explained the situation and asked her if I could make a personal call.

My boss said, “You’re responsible and I trust that you won’t make a habit of it. You can make any personal calls you want without asking me.” The law that was given under the threat of punishment was removed and no longer applied. I was free to govern myself as I had once done before.”

In this example, we see the entire process by which the law and punishment are applied and removed. This is a process we are all familiar with without knowing. Parents are especially familiar with this process. Children are born without laws or punishments. Parents looking at their little babies could hardly imagine what rules they will have to give to their children as they grow up. When the child does something that is not acceptable, the parents create a rule or a law and explain a punishment for breaking the rule. If the child breaks the rule, they are punished. As the child grows and develops, old rules no longer apply and new rules are given. When the child turns eighteen, all of the rules given by parents are removed and they are allowed to govern themselves according to their own conscience.

It is reasonable to tell a five-year-old child that they are not permitted to use matches because of the danger their misuse could cause. When they grow older, their parents will teach them how to use matches properly and eventually when they are older, they are given unrestricted use of matches. Eventually, that child becomes an adult and though they were once denied matches they are now free to buy unlimited matches, start fires in all forms and govern themselves without supervision.

The Preparatory Gospel works exactly the same way. Laws are given according to the needs of the people. If the people don’t have issues in a particular area, then no laws are given in that area. If people do have issues with a thing, then laws are given to address that thing.

The Restoration of All Things

Through the prophet Joseph Smith, we learn that the Lord began the “restoration of all things”, (D&C 27:6, 77:9,14, 86:10, 132:40,45). The Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses is an essential part of this restoration. It was restored on May 15, 1829 by John the Baptist.

John the Baptist was the embodiment of the Law of Moses or Preparatory Gospel whose mission was to prepare the people for the coming of Christ.

Bible Dictionary - John the Baptist
“Son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, being of priestly descent through both parents. This lineage was essential, since John was the embodiment of the law of Moses, designed to prepare the way for the Messiah and make ready a people to receive Him. He was the outstanding bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood in all history and was entrusted with its most noble mission.”

The Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels and the Preparatory Gospel which includes, repentance, baptism, remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments. It does not have the ability to baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost.

D&C 84:25-27
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
26 And the lesser priesthood (Aaronic) continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

In his mortal life, John never received the Melchizedek Priesthood. His entire life and mission were fulfilled under the Law of Moses as administered by the Aaronic Priesthood. He baptized with water and promised that the coming Lord would baptize with fire.

Luke 3:16
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

The Jews, who still live according to the Law of Moses, continue to perform baptisms by fully immersing a person in water. This Jewish purification ritual is called “Tvilah”. This is what John the Baptist was performing when he baptized Jesus at the beginning of his ministry.

This is exactly what John the Baptist restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on May 15^th, 1829.

JSH 1:68-70
68 We still continued the work of translation, when, in the ensuing month (May, 1829), we on a certain day went into the woods to pray and inquire of the Lord respecting baptism for the remission of sins, that we found mentioned in the translation of the plates. While we were thus employed, praying and calling upon the Lord, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light, and having laid his hands upon us, he ordained us, saying:
69 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
70 He said this Aaronic Priesthood had not the power of laying on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, but that this should be conferred on us hereafter; and he commanded us to go and be baptized, and gave us directions that I should baptize Oliver Cowdery, and that afterwards he should baptize me.

Just over a year later, the Lord confirmed that the Law of Moses had been restored in a revelation given to Joseph Smith. The church was growing and converts were being baptized by water as new members of the church. Some who were converted to the church were already baptized by immersion in other churches. Joseph wanted to know if these people who had already been baptized needed to be baptized again to be saved. The Lord responded to his inquiry by explaining that the old covenants they previously made when they were baptized into other churches are done away and a new covenant is begun when they are baptized into the LDS Church. This places all new converts equal ground with a fresh new start regardless of what covenants they made previous to joining the church.

Then the Lord makes an interesting comment to address the idea that we are saved by being baptized. He points out that it doesn’t matter if we are baptized a hundred times by the Aaronic priesthood because we cannot enter in at the straight gate by the Law of Moses.

D&C 22:2
2 Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses, neither by your dead works.

Remember that the Law of Moses was administered by the Aaronic priesthood and yet even with the power of the Aaronic priesthood, people cannot enter in at the gate by the Law of Moses and its ordinances.

2 Nephi 25:26-27
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.

The Law of Moses or Preparatory Gospel administered by the Aaronic Priesthood can’t save us. It can prepare us for the Savior who does save, but it can’t save us. If it did have power to save, then anyone who was baptized by the authority of the priesthood would be saved no matter how converted they were to Christ. Salvation would come by the dead work of being baptized regardless of the spiritual work of conversion and the mighty change of heart.

In addition to the Aaronic Priesthood and baptism that was restored from the Law of Moses, the “common judge in Israel” was also restored in these last days. Anciently, for up to 350 years beginning with Moses, Judges were selected to govern the people rather than a king. It wasn’t until the people begged God for a king so they could be like other nations that Saul was called to be a king against the recommendation of God. Judges were used to maintain order and ensure that people were obedient to the law of carnal commandments. Today, the Judges over Israel are called Bishops. They are to ensure that Israel is obedient to the laws of carnal commandments and to enforce disciplinary action when they are not according to the current laws of the church. Again the Bishop is a calling in the Aaronic priesthood which administers the Preparatory Gospel.

D&C 107:69-72
69 Nevertheless a bishop must be chosen from the High Priesthood, unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron;
70 For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold the keys of that priesthood.
71 Nevertheless, a high priest, that is, after the order of Melchizedek, may be set apart unto the ministering of temporal things, having a knowledge of them by the Spirit of truth;
72 And also to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before him according to the laws, by the assistance of his counselors, whom he has chosen or will choose among the elders of the church.

What are the laws that Bishops judge the members by? They are judged by the Bishop’s handbook of instruction which details all the laws and possible punishments or disciplinary actions that can be taken by the church. The handbook of instructions clearly defines “When a disciplinary council is mandatory”, “appropriate” and “not appropriate”. It discusses a wide range of topics including: Euthanasia, Organ, and Tissue Donations and Transplants, Murder, Sexual sins, Word of Wisdom, Birth Control, Chastity and Fidelity, Homosexual Behavior, Pornography, Sperm Donation, Apostasy, Tithing, what activities are and are not appropriate on the Sabbath and much more.

Just as with the Laws of Carnal commandments given to the Children of Israel, the modern-day law of carnal commandments continues to grow. The original handbook of instruction was 14 pages. The current handbook is two volumes and a total of 403 pages. This does not include the various instructions given in other sources like “The Strength of Youth” which tells youth how long their dresses must be, how many earrings they can wear, when they can attend dances and date and what kinds of dates they should do.

All of these rules are given as part of a law of carnal commandments given to govern people who are unable to govern themselves or who do not have or aren’t capable of following the spirit or voice of the lord. (Why else would they be given except that people need them? We don’t give rules to people if they aren’t needed or don’t apply.) If people had or followed the spirit, it would tell them “all things that they should do” and what was right and appropriate for them in every situation and the handbook of instructions would not need to define the church's position on all these various topics. These instructions are given for the benefit of those who do not have the spirit and voice of the Lord guiding them throughout their lives.

More importantly, the law of carnal commandments is no longer written on cold hard stone as it once was. However, it is still as rigid and enforced by men as it was anciently. When Christ came, he showed us how to fulfill the law so that we could be free from it. This did not mean that everyone was free from the law after Christ or that the law ended for everyone.

Galatians 5:3-4
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

1 Corinthians 9:20-21
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

Moroni 8:22-24, 10
22 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—
23 But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works.
24 Behold, my son, this thing ought not to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation and under the curse of a broken law.
10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

Obedience to the Law Does Not…

At some point, people began accepting and teaching that obedience to the law brings the remission of sins and the spirit. This is not the case. When we are under the law, we are under sin and condemned. The spirit does not dwell in unclean temples and as long as we are under the law, we are not and cannot be clean. The only way to gain the remission of sins and the spirit is by being redeemed from the law through our repentance and faith in the atonement of Jesus.

Gal. 4:4-5
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

D&C 44:2
2 And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together.

Just as we gain the spirit by faith in Christ and the power of his atonement, so to do we gain and retain a remission of our sins by faith even though we are, unworthy.

King Benjamin taught this very clearly when he promised the people that if they would remember the goodness of God and His love toward us even when we are unworthy of His goodness and love, then we will always retain a remission of our sins.

Mosiah 4:10-12
10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel, (Jesus Christ’s Atonement).
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

Moving on to Perfection

Once we have repented of our sins and received the Holy Ghost thereby fulfilling the Preparatory Gospel, we have qualified for the Terrestrial Kingdom. We are no longer under the law. We find ourselves in an interesting place…

We have not come thus far except that we have relied wholly on the merits of Christ.

Moroni 6:4
4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

D&C 3:20
20 And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen.

This has brought us to a Terrestrial state in which through Christ we have overcome the fall of man. But there is a Celestial Glory to be obtained for those who are willing to work for it.

2 Nephi 31:19-20
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

We must press forward to gain eternal life which is the promise of the Celestial kingdom. Here’s the catch, we can’t go backward and return to the law. Once we have received the knowledge of the truth, and received the Holy Ghost, and come out from under the law, there is no more sacrifice for sins…

Hebrews 10:26
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

When we experience the mighty change of heart and receive the Holy Ghost, the law is fulfilled and removed. At this point, all of the principles of the doctrines of Christ have fulfilled their purpose and accomplished their work, except one. The Holy Ghost remains the only principle of the doctrine of Christ that has not fulfilled its purpose. All the rest have reached the end of their usefulness, (repentance, baptism, remission of sins, the law of carnal commandments, etc.).

The important thing to realize here at this point in our progression is that all of the doctrines of Christ have been fulfilled and removed except one. The only doctrine of Christ that remains is that we rely only on the arm of the spirit to tell us all things that they should do. This is the only doctrine of Christ that applies to us once we receive the Holy Ghost and it is the only doctrine of Christ that applies to us until we meet Christ for ourselves. We stop being told by the law what to do, we stop being told by our leaders what to do, we stop trusting in dead books and the arm of flesh.

2 Nephi 32:5-6
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

D&C 50:19-20
19 And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
20 If it be some other way it is not of God.

This is the only doctrine of Christ that remains unfulfilled at this point in our progression, we are given no more doctrine than this until we are brought back into Christ’s presence. All of the doctrines of the Preparatory Gospel are fulfilled when we receive the Holy Ghost. The only remaining doctrine endorsed by God the Father and Jesus Christ is that “the Holy Ghost, will show unto you all things what ye should do.” (See 2 Nephi 31:17-21, 3 Nephi 11:28-40)

We must then leave the completed principles of the doctrine of Christ so we can go on to perfection… And we must do this because we can’t return back to the Preparatory Gospel and be renewed again unto repentance once we have fulfilled it.

Hebrews 6:1-6
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

We have received what the Preparatory Gospel was preparing us to receive. It can no longer prepare us to receive what we already have. Let us, therefore, leave the principles of the Preparatory Gospel and the Doctrines of Christ that no longer apply to us.

All of the doctrines of the Preparatory Gospel are fulfilled when we receive the Holy Ghost. The only remaining doctrine endorsed by God the Father and Jesus Christ is that “the Holy Ghost, will show unto you all things what ye should do.” (See 2 Nephi 31:17-21, 3 Nephi 11:28-40)

Life Free from the Law

Those under the law of carnal commandments are always focused on what the law says and this plays a major role in what they do and how they live. It determines their day to day actions, (what is allowed and what is not allowed).

Those living under the spirit are more focused on following the spirit and what it says. They forget the rules given under the law and trust the spirit to tell them all things that they should do. Let’s look at a few examples:

The Law of Meat

Under the law, the Lord instructed the people regarding what animals, fish, birds, and insects they could eat and could not eat. The list is very clear and detailed indicating that if it lives in the water and doesn’t have scales and fins, they can’t eat it; and how to determine which insects they could eat; and a long list of birds they could and could not eat. Here’s how the law addressed the animals they could and could not eat:

Leviticus 11:2-7
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.

For this reason, the Jews today continue to eat only certain meats in accordance with the Law of Moses. After the death of Christ, Peter and the others were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost. The law was fulfilled to them, but they didn’t understand what that meant. They experienced a learning curve as we all do being freed from the law. But they followed the spirit and it taught them correctly.

One day while Peter was praying, waiting for others to prepare a meal, he had a vision in which the Lord told him that the law regarding what meat to eat was removed and he could eat all meats.

Acts 10:10-15
9 ...Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
...Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean...

In this last verse, we see that even though this vision was given to Peter three times, he doubted himself and what the vision meant. The idea of eating unclean animals was so foreign to him that it was hard for him to accept. This was a turning point for Peter because the vision not only meant that he could eat meats that were forbidden under the law, it also prepared him to take the gospel to the gentiles which under the law were also considered unclean and forbidden from the gospel.

Later, Paul wrote to the Roman converts teaching that some people now believe that they can eat all things (the Law removed) and others do not (Keeping with the Law). He tells them to refrain from judging those that do eat meats denied by the law saying, “God has received them”. He then continues on saying that he himself is persuaded that there is nothing unclean. But realizing that we each need to live according to our own conscience before God, he recognizes that if a person thinks something is unclean, then it is to that person.

He turns his attention to those who eat meat and tells them not to be uncharitable toward those who do not eat. Acknowledging that Christ died so they can eat meat, but not so they could destroy others with judgement and criticism for not being freed from the law. The kingdom of God isn’t about what we eat or drink or which laws we keep, it’s about peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:2-3,14-18
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
...
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

The Law of the Sabbath

The law tells us that we must work 6 days and keep the seventh day holy. Anciently the punishment for breaking this law was death.

Exodus 31:13-16
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

After the law was fulfilled, the Apostle Paul taught the people that it is ok to continue to keep the Sabbath day holy and esteem it above other days as long as you do it to the Lord. He also pointed out that it is ok to regard every day alike as long as you do it unto the Lord.

Romans 14:5-6
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it.
...
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

This is an excellent example of a law that is fulfilled and removed when we are under the spirit because we have all seen families who make rules regarding the Sabbath day that are so strict and binding that it offends the spirit. When we are under the law, we are told what activities are allowed and approved on the Sabbath. When the law is fulfilled, we are able to follow the spirit and determine for ourselves which activities create love, joy, peace, and unity with our families, friends and loved ones. Those who follow the spirit find peace, freedom, and joy.

We see that Christ understood this when he and his disciples were hungry on the Sabbath and picked corn to eat. This was against the law and the Pharisees saw him and pointed out that he broke the law of the Sabbath. Christ didn’t respond saying how it wasn’t breaking the law; instead, he gave an example of David breaking the law of Moses and used it to justify himself and his disciples in doing the same.

Mark 2:23-27
23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?
26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Modern Laws Today

Today, there are many laws in the church which detail almost every aspect of our worship. One such law or rule is that only priesthood holders are allowed to give and participate in giving blessings. A Bishop once told a story shared with him by an Elder who was asked to bless a woman he home taught. He was unable to get his companion to come, but her non-member husband was home so he went alone.

When it was time to give the blessing, the man laid his hands on her head and the spirit said to her, “Invite her husband to stand in and participate in giving the blessing.” This was against protocol and he knew it, so he said within himself, “no, I can’t do that”, and again prepared to give her a blessing. The spirit stopped him again and said, “Invite her husband to lay his hands on her head and participate in the blessing.” Again, he knew that her husband was a non-member, didn’t hold the priesthood, and was not authorized by the church to give or participate in giving blessings. He tried a third time to give the blessing, but the spirit demanded, “Invite her husband to participate!”

Recognizing the spirit and finally consenting to follow its directio, he stopped and asked her husband to stand in. The husband agreed and placed his hands on her head. They blessed her by the direction of the spirit. The spirit testified to all present that the words being spoken were true. By the end, tears streamed down the cheeks of all three. It was the moment that the husband became converted.

He began taking the missionary discussions the following week and was baptized shortly thereafter. Under the law, this conversion would never have happened; but the spirit is able to supersede the law and bring about miracles.

Another such law is the Word of Wisdom which tells us that we should not drink alcohol – the penalty being that we would not qualify for a temple recommend and the blessings received there. When we are under this law, we observe the Word of Wisdom strictly, just as Peter did with the law to not eat “unclean meat”.

When we are free from the law, we do not take it as a license to do evil as a wicked person does; rather, we are wise in following the spirit. Through the spirit we learn that small amounts of alcohol can stop asthma attacks, take the edge off a migraine, relieve sever muscle spasm, or even aid a sick person who is unable to rest. For these reasons, alcohol is used in medicines like Nyquil. (Nyquil is 10% alcohol, whereas the average beer is 4.5% alcohol.)

Under the spirit, we are directed to use alcohol and other substances appropriately without abusing them. In this way, the spirit is able to prescribe the use of things generally forbidden – much like a doctor is able to – when they would have been against the law otherwise. There is no law in the church that can void the direction of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Romans 8:2-9
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

We could reasonably go through all of the laws given to man through the Aaronic Priesthood and show how the spirit might direct a person to act contrary to the letter of the law. A wicked person will be offended by this teaching because they fear the freedom it offers and demand that everyone be subject to the law equally. Such a demand is unreasonable. It is like demanding that because children can’t use matches, matches should be banned for everyone.

Not Everyone is Placed Under the Law

When the gospel was first preached to the gentiles, the Pharisees, who were converted to the gospel, felt that the gentiles needed to be placed under the law or preparatory gospel in order to be saved, just as the Jews had been. The problem is that the gentiles had received the spirit, which the law was designed to prepare them for. The gentiles had therefore already fulfilled the law without ever being placed under it.

This was new territory for the young church and the matter was brought before the church leadership to decide. After there was “much disputing” about it, Peter, following the spirit, realized that the gentiles didn’t need to be placed under the law – a yoke for the Jews – and that God had accepted them by giving them the spirit. He pointed out that if they had the spirit by faith, they would be saved even as those who were once under the law were saved.

Acts 15:1-11
1 And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
…
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 ¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Remember how the Children of Israel were given the “higher law” first, and encouraged to speak with God directly, but they rejected it and demanded that Moses speak with God for them? We speak with God through the spirit, which is God’s voice. The children of Israel rejected that which they could have had from the beginning and were given the Preparatory Gospel or law of Moses in its place. The Gentiles on the other hand received the spirit and were happy to talk with God themselves. Because of this, they were never placed under the law. The gentiles did it right; whereas the Children of Israel did not. Because the gentiles received the spirit and were directed by it, they were never placed under the law of dead works.

Keeping this in mind, let us press forward feasting on the words of Christ as we receive them through the Holy Ghost. Let us be among the righteous who hear the word of the Lord by his spirit, and can testify that we have heard his voice and know his words.

D&C 18:35-36
35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, ...
36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.

At the beginning of this book, we pointed out that there are two gospels, the Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses and the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These two gospels are different in that the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not include a law of carnal commandments and it adds the baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost.

D&C 39:6
6 And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.

D&C 33:11-12
11 Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.
12 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and remember that they shall have faith in me or they can in nowise be saved;

3 Nephi 27:20-21
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;

The scriptures teach that these principles are not only the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but they are also the ONLY doctrines accepted by the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. After teaching these doctrines, they conclude with very strong statements like these:

2 Nephi 31:21
21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. (See 2 Nephi 31:17-21 for complete context.)

3 Nephi 11:39-40
39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. (See 3 Nephi 11:31-40 for complete context.)

Again, once we have fulfilled the commandment to repent, not of one sin, but of all our sins and desires for evil, and come unto Christ through baptism and receive the Holy Ghost, the Preparatory Gospel is fulfilled along with all the principles of the doctrine of Christ except that we are to continue to be taught all things by the Holy Ghost until we are brought back into Christ’s presence and receive the Second Comforter.

Repeating the words of Paul to the Hebrews...

Hebrews 6:1-6
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection…

The Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires us to leave the preparatory gospel – with its laws and carnal commandments – and accept the spirit which directs us in our daily life. We cannot be under the Preparatory Gospel and the law of carnal commandments and under the direction of the Holy Ghost at the same time. We can only have one master. We choose to be under the law and Preparatory Gospel or under the spirit or Voice of the Lord.

D&C 84:52-53
52 And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.
53 And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked... - D&C 84:52-53

Until we are free from the law of dead works, we will not be able to move on to the next stage of our progress and achieve perfection. We must leave behind the old in order to fully accept the new. We encourage you likewise to leave the principles of the doctrines of Christ which have been fulfilled and seek in all things to be guided by the spirit of truth.

Elliaison is not here to restore the primitive, we are here to reveal that which is to come. Let us, therefore, move on to perfection…

The Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses

By Elliaison

The Two Gospels

The Preparatory Gospel or Law of Moses

The Law, Sin and Punishment

The Law – Why It Was Given

The Law – A Curse

The Law - Why the Righteous Don’t Need It

The Law – When It’s Removed

How the Law is Intended to Work

The Restoration of All Things

Obedience to the Law Does Not…

Moving on to Perfection

Life Free from the Law

The Law of Meat

The Law of the Sabbath

Modern Laws Today

Not Everyone is Placed Under the Law

Obtaining Perfection Even as your Father who is in Heaven is Perfect

Obtaining Perfection
Even as your Father who is in Heaven is Perfect