We call it “the Law of Moses”, but it was around long before Moses just as the Melchizedek Priesthood was around long before Melchizedek. And just as it was around long before Moses, it was around long after. It is the preparatory Gospel which was and is given to fallen man from the time of Adam on. The law of carnal commandments includes any thou shalt or thou shalt not that comes with a punishment. The punishment could be earthly like being stoned or spiritual as with any sin. All sins include a punishment which we are trying to avoid through the atonement. If it is governed, taught or administered by the Aaronic priesthood then it is part of the Preparatory Gospel which is another name for The Law of Moses. Its sole purpose is to Prepare a people to receive the Holy Ghost which then replaces the lower law in telling us all things what we should do.
The name assigned to the whole collection of written laws given through Moses to the house of Israel, as a replacement of the higher law that they had failed to obey. The law of Moses consisted of many ceremonies, rituals, and symbols, to remind the people frequently of their duties and responsibilities. It included a law of carnal commandments and performances, added to the basic laws of the gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism in water, and remission of sins were part of the law, as were also the Ten Commandments. Although inferior to the fulness of the gospel, there were many provisions in the law of Moses of high ethical and moral value that were equal to the divine laws of any dispensation. The law of carnal commandments and much of the ceremonial law were fulfilled at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The law functioned under the Aaronic Priesthood and was a preparatory gospel to bring its adherents to Christ.
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