Status Update
As of December 3, 2011, I have read the five books of Moses and the Pearl of Great Price, with the intent to identify all individual laws in the scriptures. Maimonides identified 613 laws in the Pentateuch. Using roughly the same methodology he used, I have identified 737 distinct laws.
Two of the reasons I have found more are due to my inclusion of the Pearl of Great Price within my sources, and my method of counting individual punishment laws separately instead of lumping them together as he did. For example, Maimonides treats all capital punishment commandments as one, while I recorded them separately.
My goal is to finish with the entire standard works, so as to have an entire listing of all the commandments the Father requires us to follow. Fortunately my work is now progressing at a more rapid pace as most of the commandments given by the Lord are within the Pentateuch.
My research thus far has truly opened my eyes to the glory of the Lords divine law, and has greatly strengthened my testimony and my desire to do good to others. After writing the article ‘In Mine Own Image’, I began to write several other articles which built upon the that foundation. Several questions popped into my mine regarding some of the finer points of various principles, and I had to nail them down before I continued.
So for the last several months, I have been reading, pondering, and searching the scriptures for at least two hours everyday. I am now much closer to sharing what I have learned on a more consistent basis.
In Mine Own Image
Scriptural jurisprudence is based on the principle that the LORD created man in his own likeness and image. This principle provides a powerful argument and justification for the inalienable right to life, liberty, and property. Violation of these rights is first and foremost a desecration of the image and likeness of the LORD; for the LORD has commanded that man’s life be preserved as each is made in his sacred image.