Christ Teaches His New Law

Jesus continued to speak to the multitude: “Now you have heard what I told the people in Jerusalem before ascending to my Father. At the last day, I will raise up those who have remembered my teachings and have done what I have commanded them.”

Jesus then perceived that some of the people were wondering what was going to happen to the law of Moses, for they did not understand what He had meant when He said, “Old things have passed away and all things have become new.” So Jesus said, “Here is how old things have passed away and how all things have become new. The law that was given to Moses is fulfilled. I gave the law to Moses after covenanting with Israel and his descendants. I came to fulfill the law, and I have fulfilled it. This is why the law of Moses now comes to an end. I have not done away with the prophets, for all the prophets’ words that are not yet fulfilled soon will be. Because I said that old things have passed away, I do not mean that the prophecies of things to come will not be fulfilled. The covenant I made with Israel and his descendants is not completely fulfilled yet, but the law that I gave to Moses is fulfilled and has come to an end in me.

“Behold, I am the law and the light. Look to me, continue in righteousness throughout your life, and you will live, for unto such I will give eternal life. Keep my commandments that I have given you. This is the law given to the prophets, who truly testified of me.”

Jesus then turned to the twelve whom He had chosen, and said, “You are my disciples, a light to this people who are descendants of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt. The Father has given this land to you as an inheritance. The Father did not command me to tell the descendants of Judah (the Jews) in Jerusalem about this land, inherited by you, the descendants of Joseph.

“I also was never commanded to tell the Jews about the other tribes, descended from Israel’s other sons, who were led away from Judah’s rule. I was only commanded to say to the Jews, ‘I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must gather them, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one fold and one shepherd.’ Because the Jews were so stubborn and unbelieving, they could not understand my words. This is why the Father commanded me not to tell them more about you. But the Father has commanded me to tell you that you were separated from Judah’s descendants, who know nothing about you because of their wickedness.

“The Father has also separated the other tribes from Judah’s descendants, and the Jews also know nothing of them. You are the other sheep of whom I spoke, but the Jews thought I was telling them about the Gentiles, not knowing that they would convert the Gentiles through their preaching. The Jews did not understand that the Gentiles will not at any time hear my voice directly, but only through the Holy Ghost. But both hear my voice and see me, and you are my sheep, numbered among those given to me by the Father.”