The rule of law
is essential for order, peace, and happiness.
The heavens and the earth conform to certain laws; nations, states,
communities, businesses, and families operate by law. Where there is no law, there is chaos and
confusion.
What is meant by “rule of law?” It means that everyone is subject to the law;
it means that everyone - famous or infamous, powerful or powerless, important
or not – must abide by law. The rule of
law is the power that protects liberties and brings about justice for all.
The Kingdom of God is governed
by law, and God governs the universe by law.
Because God governs the entire universe by law, the planets, sun, moon,
stars must obey the law. The earth is
governed by laws that bring order to all inhabitants. Laws cause the seasons to rotate; laws cause
night to follow day. Laws control the
animals and plants.
“All kingdoms have a law given;
“And there are many kingdoms;
for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom
in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
“And unto every kingdom is given
a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.
“All being who abide not in
those conditions are not justified” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:36-39).
President Joseph Fielding Smith
commented on the above statement: “This
truth is self-evident. Thus, it is only
reasonable that we should expect the kingdom of God to be governed by law and
all who desire to enter there to be subject to the law. `Behold, mine house is a house of order,
saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion” (Doctrine and Covenants
132:8).
“The Lord has given to man a
code of laws that we call the gospel of Jesus Christ. Due to lack of inspiration and spiritual
guidance, men may differ in relation to these laws and their application, but
there can hardly be a dispute in regard to the fact that such laws to exist,
and that all who seek entrance into that kingdom are subject to them.
“We have every truth, every
doctrine, every law and requirement, every performance and ordinance needed to
save and exalt us in the highest heaven of the celestial world” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, pp. 230-231).
Obedience to law brings
blessings to mankind. Mankind must learn
to obey the laws and commandments of God in order to qualify to spend eternity
in the Kingdom of God. People learn to
obey laws by receiving blessings for obedience and negative consequences for
disobedience because every law has a blessing and a consequence.
“There is a law, irrevocably
decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all
blessings are predicated ---
“And when we obtain any blessing
from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (Doctrine
and Covenants 130:20-21).
If one desires a certain
blessing, one must discover the law that governs the receipt of that blessing. If one desires good health, one must live the
law of good health known as the Word of Wisdom (Doctrine and Covenants
89). If one desires to live a virtuous
life, one must obey the Law of Chastity.
If one desires the windows of heavens to open and pour down blessings,
one must live the Law of Tithing. Every
blessing comes from obedience to a certain law; the lack of blessings is the
negative consequences for disobedience.
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