From Obeying Laws to Making and Keeping Covenants

"Satan's efforts can be thwarted by all who come unto Christ by obedience to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel."
—President James E. Faust, Ensign, Sept. 1995, p. 7

This statement caused me to reflect on the similar language to Article of Faith #3, that we may all may be saved "by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel." There is only one word's difference there -- "laws" is changed to "covenants". In reality, "laws" carries a sense of rules imposed that must be obeyed whether we like it or not -- like a child must obey a parent, whereas "covenants" carries a meaning of mutual agreement establishing intended behavior -- more of a contractual agreement with God that it is *our* will that we will voluntarily do certain things, rather than a compulsory behavior that we didn't agree to but are compelled to.

As parents, it is our duty to teach our children the gospel so as to help them transition from being under the Law to voluntarily entering into covenants with God, starting with baptism. Thus, we should have helped them become ready to make this transition by the time they are eight -- the age of accountability.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Gauls (Galatians -- inhabitants of Galatia, so called from it's inhabitants the Gauls):
24-27 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ...
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the [Abrahamic Covenant]. Gal. 24-27 29 (read the entire chapter for more details regarding the same).

Earlier in the chapter, Paul teaches:
11-12 That no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for [as the Lord says in Habakkuk 2:4], "The just shall live by faith." And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

So, yes, obeying the law will lead us on the path to salvation. But that is a "milk" type relationship with God. It's the level of always asking 'what should I do next'. We should be progressing beyond that to the "meat" level - the level of voluntary covenants.

The Lord, speaking through Joseph Smith, said:
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things [by the law], the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; D&C 58:26-27