The Law of Moses permeates the Book of Mormon, according to a new book by John W. Welch, a professor at J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. "The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon" looks at how Nephites integrated ancient Israelite laws into their society.
As Welch points out in his book, the Law of Moses was not static over the centuries. Figuring out what the Law of Moses was at the time Lehi and his family left Jerusalem can be difficult. "I assume that the more we can learn about the Law of Moses at that time (the seventh century BC), the more we will understand Lehi and Nephi and the branch of Israelite law that they brought with them," Welch wrote.
The Book of Mormon says that the Nephites had "the five books of Moses." Scholars differ on when the various parts of the five books — Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy — were created. Some say it took centuries. "One must always be alert to the possibility that any law originally given by Moses may have been edited, amended, modified, supplemented, or transformed … as the needs of society changed," Welch wrote.
Mormons know from the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price — an expanded account of the first chapters of Genesis — that some things in the five books had indeed been changed over time. Most changes, according to Welch, were not extensive. But as it turns out, the arguments of scholars about when and how the five books were assembled are moot for the Book of Mormon.
"(M)ost of the Hebrew text of the core legal codes was probably in place by the years 620-610 BC, when by my reckoning the plates of brass (containing the five books) were fashioned," Welch wrote.
Welch concluded that the basic texts that would have been familiar to Lehi are "adequately represented" by today's biblical versions.
Lehi's descendants, the Nephites, held the Law of Moses in high regard, according to Welch. But that doesn't mean that every provision in the law as practiced in Jerusalem would be followed by the Nephites in their new promised land.
An example of one difference would be the portions of the "Priestly Code" dealing with the priesthood of Aaron and Levi. It would not be followed because there were no Levites with Lehi's family.
Another example is The Book of Deuteronomy, which was rediscovered or created during Lehi's lifetime. It heavily influenced Nephite law, according to Welch, but that doesn't mean Lehi agreed with the full agenda of the "Deuteronomic reformers" of his day.
Provisions in the Law of Moses for specific "cities of refuge" in the land of Israel would be another requirement that had to be changed or ignored.
The biggest Nephite changes to the law were "administrative changes," according to Welch — revisions in how the law was implemented. The best example is how Mosiah changed the government from kingship to judgeship. But the underlying law only changed moderately over time.
Welch wrote that the Law of Moses is much more than a law of sacrifice. It isn't a series of "thou shalt nots." He wrote that ancient law is much broader than our modern conceptions of law.
Modern law is looked at as "specific commands" with specific consequences. It is limited.
Nephite law included, according to Welch's book, laws, statues, ordinances, customs, commands and teachings. It was simply "the right way to live."
The Nephites saw themselves as following in the tradition of ancient Israel — including a greater knowledge of the coming of the Messiah. "This blending of elements from both the old and new covenants is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the Book of Mormon," Welch wrote. "The world of the Book of Mormon is neither Jewish or Christian but both — if both of those terms are properly understood."
In this way, the Nephites followed the Law of Moses in a way similar to Jesus when he was on the earth. Welch wrote that although we don't know how Jesus observed every provision, we do know that he disagreed with how some people interpreted the law.
"(T)he Nephites were no more or less committed to the traditions of Israel than was Jesus himself."
Next week: A new look at the trial of Nehor.
E-mail: mdegroote@desnews.com