Perceiving that some of the Nephites were confused concerning the law of Moses as it pertained to Him, Jesus gave this instruction: " . . . Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new.

"Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses." (3 Ne. 15:3-4.)Indeed, the law of Moses testified of Christ, as Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained in A New Witness for the Articles of Faith (pp. 115-116):

"Though the law of Moses was given of God to his people; though it was of divine origin and had divine approval in all its parts and ramifications; though it was the highest system of worship ever had on earth, except the fulness of the gospel itself - yet salvation did not come by the law alone. Salvation then and now and always is in Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The whole purpose of the Mosaic system was to testify of Christ and His atonement and to prepare men to receive the fulness of the gospel.

"Abinadi said: `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, . . . they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses.' The law of Moses, as with all things in the gospel itself, had efficacy, virtue and force because of the Atonement.

"Why was the law given? Abinadi answers: `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.' Only part of the people understood this; only part knew that `there could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption of God.' (Mosiah 13:28-32.) Truly, the Lord gave his people `many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows . . . concerning his coming,' and taught them `that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood.' (Mosiah 3:15.)"

Sacrificial offerings of four general kinds - burnt offerings, sin offerings, trespass offerings and peace offerings - typified the Atonement, Elder McConkie explained. So also did the yearly entrance of the high priest into the Holy of Holies - signifying Israel's entrance into the divine presence if true and faithful - and the annual sacrifice of the scapegoat, upon which all the sins of the people were placed.

"Such among all else, was the law of the Lord until He came who said: `I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled. . . . Behold I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.' (3 Ne. 15:5, 9.) After He came and offered Himself as the Lamb of God, other similitudes and types were to be used to center our attention in His atoning sacrifice and the blessings that flow therefrom."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

- Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by R. Scott Lloyd

Sources: Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith; Book of Mormon Student Manual prepared by the Church Educational System.