Questions Answered: Was the covenant of Moses based on the law of justice as its basis for accomplishing justification (justification by law), while the gospel covenant uses the law of mercy for justification (justification by faith)? Does Justification by law or by works mean that the person must live and keep all of the commandments all of the time? Is the Law of Moses based on strict obedience whereas the Law of Mercy or of Christ is not? Were the terms of the old contract, the Mosaic law, perfect obedience to rules in exchange for justification before God, salvation from enemies, and an inheritance in the promised land?
Commentary
Scripture
There is only one gospel covenant. There is only one Lord, one Faith and one Baptism. We do not believe in a changeable God or a changeable Gospel. Adam had all of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we have today, in fact he had a greater understanding and lived far more of the Gospel than we understand or live today. As the Book of Mormon clearly illustrates, Mercy cannot rob Justice and vice versa. The Law of Moses was not based on Justice alone. The Law of Moses was a preparatory law that served as a schoolmaster to prepare for a higher law. This is similar to the law of tithing or Church programs today. They are all preparatory to the higher laws that we are not worthy to live as a people.The higher law that the Lord gave to Adam and the great prophets as well as personally during His mortal sojourn required greater obedience and stricter head. The closer a person approaches perfection the more strictly that person must live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Mercy was more important in the Law of Moses as more of it was needed in forgiving a more wicked people.
As one of the prophets that lived under the Law of Moses taught, we depend upon God for our breath and movement. No one can do anything of themselves and by their own merits. The Lord is the vine and we are the branches. If we separate ourselves from the Lord we will wither almost immediately. There never has been and never will be a time when mankind will not depend entirely upon the Lord whether they admit it or not. The Lord sends his rain on the wicked and just whether they believe it or not.
Alma 42:13, 22-25
Mosiah 2:22
Moroni 8:18
Galatians 3:19-26
Romans 2:13
Romans 3:23-31
Romans 4:2-5 (JST)
Romans 4:16 (JST)
James 2:14-26
2 Nephi 28:8-10 (note the word “justify”)
Jacob 2:13-14
Alma 41:14-15
D&C 20:29-34
D&C 88:38-40
Moses 6:60
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
D&C 35:24
D&C 42:29,78
D&C 43:34-35
D&C 136:41-42
John 15:4-8
Mosiah 2:19-25
1 Nephi 15:15
Contrasting Statements
Supporting Statements
The higher law that the Lord gave to Adam and the great prophets as well as personally during His mortal sojourn required greater obedience and stricter head. The closer a person approaches perfection the more strictly that person must live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Mercy was more important in the Law of Moses as more of it was needed in forgiving a more wicked people.
