Could you imagine a world without laws? The chaos and devastation caused by those that can not be controlled without laws and enforcers. Some might be interested in testing a world without laws, such childish mindsets, would come from those thinking only of themselves and what they would be able to do if there were no laws and no one to enforce them.

Sure we might think that there would be more pleasure in life with out so many laws, but we would also be subjecting ourselves to much more pain and affliction too. War would be constant, death all around us, no one to trust and there would be no society as we know it today. We would not enjoy the commodities of life, because without laws who is going to respect the natural order of things. You would no longer pay for your food, if there was a store why not just take it, there is no law that forbids it! And the list of things could go on.

There was once a law that people had to keep, that was very restricting in some cases, but a very important law. The Law of Moses.

The Law of Moses taught the people about sacrifice, faith, sin, repentance, and it contained many symbols that taught and testified about the future life and ministry of the Savior.

Why was the law given?

In Mosiah 13 we read;

29 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;
30 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.

The law was given to help the people remember the Lord their God and to keep them on the right path. There were strict laws that they were to observe from day to day. They were taught that obedience to the law was required to obtain salvation. We learn from Mosiah 13:28 that salvation does not come by the law alone…

28 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.

The law was a stepping stone part of the process that helped the people live righteously and it prepared them for the Savior and all that he would do for the salvation of man.

We know that the Law of Moses was fulfilled with the Atonement of Christ, and it is no longer required that the law as it was be followed. Our laws today, are not structured like they were in the Law of Moses, but they serve the same purpose. People need guidance they need structure to help them through everyday and the decisions that they will make each day. There is always the teenager or the investigator and sometimes even the adult that says, “oh we have so many rules, they are so restricting and I can never have any fun!”

Then when we sit back and think about the thing that we feel would be “so fun” and that we are “missing out on”. What is it? A day at the beach or lake on a Sunday, dating before we are 16, tattoos, extra piercings, and the list goes on…But really are any of these things worth risking your salvation for. Sure they seem harmless enough, but sometimes we don’t see the dangers that are associated with the defiance of these laws. We are not as wise as our Father in Heaven and to think that he is doing something other then looking out for our best interest is ridiculous. He is not trying to make our life miserable, that would be Satan’s task.

In Alma 25 we learn more about the benefits of obeying the laws…

15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was expedient that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep those outward performances until the time that he should be revealed unto them.
16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith, unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which spake of those things to come.

“…the Law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ…” And our rules and laws should do the same. We learn that blessings come through obedience to the laws. And increased faith and strength are some of those blessings!

Doctrine and Covenants 130;

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

Laws and rules do not keep us from the fun, they keep us from damnation. They are like signs along the road, pointing out changes in speed, holes and bumps, sharp curves up ahead and so on. If we heed the signs and follow them with exact obedience then we shall be blessed according to our faith.