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I. BEGINNING OF THE LAW OF MOSES

A. Ex 34:1-2. Second set of stone tablets (see JST).

A law of carnal commandments, less than the higher spiritual nature of the gospel, but preparatory to the higher law.

See D&C 84:20-27.

All priesthood is Melchizedek, but has different portions or degrees, Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 180.

B. Joseph Smith on the Law of Moses, Teachings, p. 60, 276.

C. Book of Mormon on the Law of Moses:

Mosiah 13:27-32
Jacob 4:5
2 Ne 25:24-27
Alma 25:15-16
3 Ne 1:24-25
3 Ne 9:17
3 Ne 12:46-47
3 Ne 15:1-8

II. SOME OBSERVATIONS

A.The Law of Moses was a good law. It was revealed from heaven, it came through a very able prophet, it was observed by the prophets on at least two continents, and was obeyed by Jesus himself in his mortal ministry.

B.An important distinction:

The Law of Moses became corrupted and smothered by [false] tradition and interpretation among the Jews. By the time of Christ many things were added or appended to the Law of Moses which had not been part of it when it was given by Moses. The Scribes and Rabbis apparently wishing to safeguard the Law of Moses built up many interpretations and implementations, which Jesus called their "traditions," but which were not in the Law of Moses proper. It was these traditions and interpretations that Jesus spoke against. These things came about apparently after the Babylonian Captivity of the Jews [c. 600 bc], and hence were not known among the Nephites.

It seems important that we remember that the Nephite version of the Law of Moses is not the same cluttered system that prevailed among the Jews of New Testament times.

Jesus' comment about how the Jewish elders had made the Law into something else by their traditions is found in Mark 7:1-13.

 

III. SOME EQUITABLE AND JUST PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW AS GIVEN TO MOSES:

A. Lev 19:1-19. Kindness for the poor.

B. Lev 24:17-22. Eye for eye [part of the higher law given before the Law of Moses; see Ex 21:24].

C. Dt 22:1-11. A sense of moral responsibility, and other items.

D. Dt 23:23-25. Interesting item of property rights.