410. All things throughout the universe are governed by divine law.
410. All things throughout the universe are governed by divine law.
We believe that everything is ruled by law. We are thankful that it is so, for otherwise we would live in a world of chance, in a fearful uncertainty of what would happen next. I believe that the material laws that can be traced in the creation had an intelligent will behind them, that the laws themselves were never superior to the will of God. He made those laws, and by His power they became effective to accomplish His purposes. It is to Him that we pray, and we know he is almighty and does hear prayers, and though He uses material laws to carry out His plans, His will was never subjected to the laws, but the laws have ever been subservient to Him. Let no one think that God is impotent, that the laws He has made stand in the way of His hearing His children and answering their prayers. CR1916Apr:12
The entire universe teaches us that there is divine law governing all things; that a supreme intelligence controls to the remotest parts of space, as far as man is able to discern the universe. Because of this obedience to law, there is perfect order and harmony. CHMR2:298
The God of heaven, who created this earth and placed his children upon it, gave unto them a law whereby they might be exalted and saved in a kingdom of glory. For there is a law given unto all kingdoms, and all things are governed by law throughout the whole universe. Whatever law anyone keeps, he is preserved by that law, and he receives whatever reward that law guarantees unto him. It is the will of God that all his children should obey the highest law, that they may receive the highest glory that is ordained for all immortal beings. But God has given all his children an agency, to choose what law they will keep. ("Epistle to the Saints Abroad," Oct. 26, 1886) (Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p. 10) TLDP:357
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
God has made certain decrees which are fixed and immovable: for instance,—God set the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens, and gave them their laws, conditions and bounds, which they cannot pass, except by His commandment; they all move in perfect harmony in their sphere and order, and are as lights, wonders and signs unto us. The sea also has its bounds which it cannot pass. God has set many signs on the earth, as well as in the heavens; for instance, the oak of the forest, the fruit of the tree, the herb of the field—all bear a sign that seed hath been planted there; for it is a decree of the Lord that every tree, plant, and herb bearing seed should bring forth of its kind, and cannot come forth after any other law or principle. (To a large congregation in the Grove, west of the Nauvoo Temple—a child had recently died, March 20, 1842) HC4:554; TPJS:197
also quoting Joseph Smith
"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." (D&C 130:20-21
The Lord has clearly chartered a course for us to obtain his blessings. He is bound by his divine law to bless us for our righteousness. The overwhelming question in each age is why each generation must test his law, when the Lord's performance from generation to generation has been absolutely consistent. CR1976Apr:98
Related Witnesses:
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. (Revelation, April 2, 1843) D&C 130:20-21
receiving the Word of the Lord
For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world. . . . 11. And will I appoint unto you, saith the Lord, except it be by law, even as I and my Father ordained unto you, before the world was?
12. I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord. (Revelation relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternal nature of the marriage covenant, July 12, 1843, [1831]) D&C 132:5,11-12
The laws of the gospel are the laws of God and are as perfect in their sphere as are the laws governing the universe and all nature. They originated from the same source, and when obeyed by man, they produce order and beauty. . . .
The gospel law is that by which our Savior lived, and which made him what he was in life, and what he now is, enthroned in glory at the right hand of God, the Father, in his celestial kingdom.
The same gospel laws are intended to make us like the Savior and to save us with him in our Father's kingdom. He has given us our agency and power to overcome and live the law. CR1947Oct:56
quoted by his son Nephi
And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away. (Lehi teaches his son, Jacob, about the redemption of man from the fall of Adam, between 588-570 B.C.) 2 Nephi 2:13
The first expression of universal order is that a given cause always has the same effect. Under the same conditions, gasoline will always burst into flame when a lighted match is touched to it, or the finger burned if brought too near the fire. Yesterday, to-day and forever, like causes produce like effects. . . .
The universal reign of law under which man lives not only offers the happy certainty of an orderly universe, but also the stern warning, that in a world where cause and effect are invariable, man cannot escape the effects of his actions. That is more terrible than the threat of a sulphurous hell. Law, therefore, is both a protector and a rewarder. . . .
. . . . We live under a reign of law. On every hand the orderliness of the universe confronts us. The sun rises and sets; summer follows winter; seed time determines harvest; "as the twig is inclined, so the tree is bent." We are utterly unable to change the laws of nature. (Man and the Dragon, pp. 124, 129) TLDP:356
Countless forces, surrounding man, are interacting in the universe. By no means can he withdraw himself from them. He has learned by experience that control of natural forces is obtained only when their laws are understood. When a certain thing is done in a certain manner, there is a definite, invariable result. No doubt it had often occurred to an intelligent being that he might wish it otherwise; but that is impossible. The only remedy is to comply with existing conditions, acknowledge the restraint of nature, gain further knowledge, array law against law, until the purpose of man has been accomplished. That is the process by which intelligent beings have acquired dominion over nature. Such acknowledgment of the existence of the law of cause and effect does not weaken man; strength lies in an intelligent subjection to rightful restraint. It has been the condition of progress from the beginning. The recognition of law and the obedience to law are sure signs that intelligent beings are progressing. (A Rational Theology, p. 118) TLDP:356
The Lord wanted this intelligent being called man, to prove himself; inasmuch as he was an agent, He desired that he should show himself approved before his Creator.
How could this be done without a commandment? Can you devise any possible means? Is there any person in this congregation having wisdom sufficient to devise any means by which an intelligent being can show himself approved before a superior intelligence, unless it be by administering to that man certain laws to be kept? No. Without law, without commandment or rule, there would be no possible way of showing his integrity: it could not be said that he would keep all the laws that govern superior orders of beings, unless he had been placed in a position to be tried, and thus proven whether he would keep them or not. . . .
. . . . But could He not give a commandment, without affixing a penalty? He could not: it would be folly, even worse than folly, for God to give a law to an intelligent being, without affixing a penalty to it if it were broken. Why? Because all intelligent beings would discard the very idea of a law being given, which might be broken at pleasure, without the individuals breaking it being punished for their transgression. (In Tabernacle, July 25, 1852, JD1:283) TLDP:356-57
receiving the Word of the Lord
Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. (Revelation to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, April 1829) D&C 6:33
It would seem also, that wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are governed or controlled, and know their future destiny; (Editorial in Times and Seasons, about April 1, 1842) HC4:576
quoted by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith
[The Melchizedek Priesthood] is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam. (From an address at the Stand in Nauvoo, Ill., Aug. 27, 1843, ) HC5:555; TPJS:322
