The Law of Moses was given as a lesser law, with a lesser priesthood, as Paul said, to be a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal 3:24). Every time the Lord reveals his will to a given people by giving them commandments, there is a group of indispensable components. The law is not given in isolation; it is given with associated covenants, priesthood, ordinances, temple services, blessings, cursings, and sacrifices. The author of the Book of Hebrews taught this beautifully in chapters 7-10:
The days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt (Heb 8:8-9).
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law (Heb 7:12).
High priests…offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he (Christ) did once, when he offered up himself (Heb 7:27).
Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made (Heb 9:1-2)
THE LAW OF MOSES THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ___ ___ __
1. The Law: the 10 Commandments, etc.
focusing on one’s actions & the outward
ordinances
1. The Law: the higher law, focusing on one’s actions, thoughts, and desires and requiring the exercise of faith.
2. The Covenant: If the Israelites keep the
commandments, they are promised, I will
walk among you, and will be your God, and
ye shall be my people (Lev 26:12).
2. The Covenant: the new and everlasting
covenant. See also Heb 10:16-20
3. Blessings: see Deut 28:1-14
3. Blessings: all the blessings of the covenant
of Abraham and eternal life (DC 132)
4. Cursings: see Deut 28:15-68
4. Cursings: to be turned over to the buffetings
of Satan (DC 104:9). See also DC 84:41-42.
5. Priesthood: Aaronic
5. Priesthood: Melchizedek
6. Temple: Tabernacle of Moses, and the
Temple of Solomon
6. Temple: Latter-day Temples with saving
ordinances for the living and the dead
7. Sacrifice: animal sacrifice of the firstborn
shall make an atonement for…his sin, and it
shall be forgiven him (Lev 4:26)
7. Sacrifice: The offering of Christ’s perfect
sacrifice requires of us a broken heart and a
contrite spirit (3 Nephi 9:19-20)
The Nephites lived according to the Law of Moses even to the point of building their own temples (v. 16 and 3 Nephi 11:1). However, they had the benefit of understanding the symbolism of the Law as Nephi explained, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled. For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and were are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments (2 Nephi 25:24-5).