Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon ~ The Law and Christ

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 [before Messiah comes]; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses.  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.

And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God; Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him.

 

But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come.

 

And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption of God.  For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?

 

Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth?  Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead . . .?

I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.  And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father . . . (Mosiah 13: 27-35; 15: 1-2)

 

This question of grace and works has been a conundrum to Christians since the first century of the Church.  In this sermon, Abinadi teaches that the Law was given to Israel because they were a stiffnecked people, meaning they were not humble before God, bowing their head and their will towards His.  But if the people had studied it out in their hearts with faith, they would have realized that no one could keep the Law!  It was impossible.  Therefore, they could not be saved by keeping the Law simply because they couldn't keep it!  But again, God had allowed for that.  He would provide Himself a Lamb (Genesis 22:8) who would save the people from death and from sin.  All of the ordinances and sacrifices under the Law were symbolic of Messiah* who would come. 

Paul called the Law a school master to bring us to Christ but that after Christ would come, we would no longer need the school master. (Galatians 3: 24-25)  Does that mean that we can therefore sin with impunity that grace may abound? God forbid! (Romans 6: 1)  It means that we must build such a close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ that our will becomes closer in harmony to His will each day.  Then, when we make a mistake - as we surely will - He will take us the rest of the way through His grace.  Nephi taught It is by grace  we are saved, after all we can do."  (2 Nephi 25:23)  That says it in one sentence.

* Messiah is the English pronunciation of the Hebrew word mashiach.  It means both King and Priest in Hebrew, anointed and having authority. Christ is the Greek translation for mashiach.  Anointed One is the English translation.  The words all mean the same thing and all refer to Jesus of Nazareth.

Text copyright August 2013, Gebara Education

Quotes from the Book of Mormon and the New Testament

 

Pictures:

Moses from www.aldenswan.com

Lamb from multiple sources on the web

Jesus with the lamb from www.lds.org