Introduction
In the 1830’s Joseph Smith, as a prophet of God, read the Bible with the intent of restoring important concepts that had been lost. One of the most important of all these restorative “translations” teaches us why the children of Israel were given the Law of Moses, a preparatory law different than the fullness that had been given to the Patriarchs. Paul described it as a “schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ.” (Gal. 3:24) The Joseph Smith Translation explains that the first law given on Sinai was the higher law of the gospel, with a higher priesthood, holier ordinances, and a higher purpose, i.e. to bring the children of Israel into the Presence of God. The golden calf incident changed everything. It proved that the people weren’t ready, so they were given a preparatory law.
This is the reason Moses was commanded to make a second set of stone tablets. The first set containing the higher law had been made by the Lord himself (Ex. 31:18); the second set was made by Moses and contained a lower law, the Law of Moses.
Jeffrey R. Holland
Clearly some of what was originally contained on the first set of tablets was written again on the second (the Ten Commandments, for example.) But it is much more important to note that vital doctrines upon the first set-specifically, the ordinances of the higher priesthood-were omitted from the second…
Even with the loss of such vital information, it is important to see the remaining covenant, what survived the wrath of Sinai as the law of Moses (variously described as Mosaic, Aaronic, lesser, preparatory, carnal, or outward) in the true light it deserves and the strict obedience with which the Nephites observed it.
This "law of Moses" under which the Israelites continued from Moses' day onward included faith, repentance, and baptism, along with a host of other "performances and ordinances" such as sacrifices and offerings that were directly linked with the future atonement of Christ and were meant to be in every way "a similitude of him."
To get his sometimes disobedient children to understand the Atonement and the fundamental importance of first principles, Jehovah added to the standard gospel message (taught from the days of Adam down to Moses) what is now spoken of as "carnal commandments." These were added as reminders, exercises, preparations stressing a return to first principles of the gospel. This basic code that remained with the children of Israel, this preparatory gospel built upon a law of carnal commandments, is what is now called the law of Moses. Principles of the truth that had been with the Israelites before the addition of the carnal commandments and that continued after these were added included the principles of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism for the remission of sins, the Ten Commandments, various offerings symbolic of Christ's atonement, and the law of the covenant. Elements added or amplified included other "performances and ordinances" such as dietary restrictions, purification rituals, and additional offerings. Other additions included the preparation of clothing, the planting of crops, and additional social obligations. These were all intended to reinforce self-control and create greater self-discipline (obedience) in the lives of the children of Israel so they could reclaim the higher promises, principles, and priesthood that had been enjoyed by their forebears.
Thus it is crucial to understand that the law of Moses was overlaid upon, and thereby included, many basic parts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which had existed before it. It was never intended to be something apart or separated from, and certainly not something antagonistic to, the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was more elementary than the full gospel-thus its schoolmaster's role in bringing people to the gospel-but its purpose was never to have been different from the higher law. Both were to bring people to Christ. (Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of the Book of Mormon [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997], 145-147)
John Taylor
They had forsaken God, the Fountain of living waters, and hewed out to themselves cisterns—broken cisterns, that could hold no water. (Jer. 2:13) And Moses was wroth with them; and so was the Lord, who was about to destroy them: but Moses pleaded with him, and he spared them. (Ex. 32:7-14) But seeing they judged themselves unworthy of eternal life, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and revelations, and communications with him, he placed them under a law of carnal commandments and ordinances, (JST Ex. 34:2 and JST John 1:18) placing a yoke on their necks, which one of the ancient Apostles says, “Neither we nor our fathers were able to bear.” (Acts 15:10) He placed them under ceremonies and forms, and it was said, Do this and live; refuse to do it, and die. (Journal of Discourses, 7:366-7)
JST Exodus 34:1-2 I will take away the priesthood out of their midst
"This, in fact, was the goal Moses sought when he brought the children of Israel to Mount Sinai. Jehovah had wanted to sanctify Israel and make them 'a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation' through covenant with him. (See Ex. 19:5-6.) Their sanctification would have been accomplished as God has ordained-through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. By exercising faith in Christ unto repentance and covenanting to keep his commandments by being baptized, each of the children of Israel could have been sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost. (See 2 Ne. 31:17-20; 3 Ne. 27:18-21.)
"Thus sanctified by the Spirit and endowed with the gift of the Holy Ghost, Israel would have entered a heightened spiritual state in which, through the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood now administered in God's holy temples, they could have access to the 'mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.'
"With that key, they would, in effect, have the key to eternal life. Eventually, they might have so risen in spiritual stature, going 'from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation,' that they could enter into God's rest fully and forever to "dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power." (See Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 298-99, 346-47; see also D&C 93:11-20) They would truly have come to know God, which the Savior said is eternal life. (See John 17:1-3.)
"But they weren't ready. Although ancient Israel saw the cloud in which Jehovah descended upon Mount Sinai and heard his voice, they were not permitted to see him. If they had tried, they would have perished. (See Ex. 19:9, 16-21.) The Lord explained that they were 'exceedingly sinful. And no sinful man hath at any time, neither shall there be any sinful man at any time, that shall see my face and live.' (JST Ex. 33:20.) Israel 'hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence.' They turned instead to the worship of a golden calf. Angered by their actions, the Lord 'swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.' (D&C 84:24.)
"Since they could not abide the Lord's presence, the priesthood and the ordinances that would have set them onto the path of eternal life were withheld. God 'took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also; and the lesser priesthood continued.' (See D&C 84:25-26; JST Ex. 34:1-2.)" (Melvin J. Petersen, "I Have a Question," Ensign, Dec. 1985, 61)
Joseph Smith
All Priesthood is Melchizedek, but there are different portions or degrees of it. That portion which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken away: but that which brought the ministry of angels remained. All the [Old Testament] prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 180-181)
Exodus 34:5 the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there
The children of Israel always knew when Moses was talking to God. All they had to do was look to Sinai or the tabernacle and see the pillar of cloud from heaven to earth as the visual representation of God condescending to speak to man. Today, many ask for manifestations of God’s power as if such a manifestation would change their religious views. The history of Israel proves how powerless such demonstrations are. Faith comes from an inner belief without a sign, not from God proving He exists.
Exodus 34:6 The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth
Patrick Kearon
Jesus surely did go about doing good! He is the very essence—and source—of goodness! He devoted His entire mortal life to doing good. He is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant,” infinite in goodness and everlasting in mercy.
Any attempt at describing or summarising His goodness and mercy would be an understatement! Truly, as the Apostle John tried to express, if we were to attempt to record every manifestation of the Savior’s goodness, “even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.” (John 21:25) (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/31kearon?lang=eng)
Exodus 34:7 visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children… unto the third and to the fourth generation
We believe that man is punished for his own sins and not for Adam’s transgression or the sins of his parents (see Article of Faith 2). Yet, the Lord says from his own mouth that he visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children. This is a natural occurrence. When a man leaves the church, often he takes his children and grandchildren with him. Consider the converse, God will visit the righteousness of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. We can begin to realize that our righteousness or wickedness as a parent has a profound influence on subsequent generations.
Melvin J. Ballard
My great-grandparents followed Jesus Christ with footsteps of faith throughout each of their trials. I am grateful to them for never giving up. Their footsteps of faith have blessed me and subsequent generations, just as your footsteps of faith today will bless your posterity. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/22ballard?lang=eng)
Exodus 34:9 I pray thee go among us
After the debacle of the golden calf, the Lord first decided to destroy all the people and make a nation out of the descendants of Moses (Ex. 32:10). Moses pled with Him not to do it. The other sticking point was that the Lord was not going to personally go up with the people to fight their battles. He declared, “I will send an angel before thee . . . for I will not go up in the midst of thee” (Ex:33:2-3) Moses is hoping the Lord will change his mind. As a mediator, in a role that is a type for the Savior as Mediator, Moses pleads, “pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” The hope is the Lord will go up with the people.
Exodus 34:10-17 I will drive out before thee the Amorite and the Canaanite, and the Hittite . . .
The point of driving out and destroying the inhabitants of the land was clearly stated by the Lord. They were idolatrous people who would turn the Israelites from worshiping the one true God. The Israelites must not intermarry with the idolatrous. The main reasons for the destruction of the people was to prevent idolatry among the Israelites, to punish them for wickedness, and to keep the promises made to Abraham (Gen. 15:18-21). Nephi was sensitive to the justice of Israelite aggression. He explained, “the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them; and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers” (1 Ne. 17:35) Finally, Nephi concluded that God is just, “he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked” (1 Ne. 17:37).
Exodus 34:18-23 thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord God
This commandment required the men of Israel to travel to Jerusalem and visit the temple during three feasts. The Old Testament names were Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Ingathering. The New Testament names for the same feasts were: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The Jews in the New Testament era were faithful to go to the temple but it is doubtful this requirement was faithfully attended to in other times. In fact, in the days of King Hezekiah, the people weren’t even keeping the Passover correctly, let alone the lesser known feasts (2 Chron. 30:1-5, see also Bible Dictionary: Feasts).
“According to the Torah , God commanded the Israelites: “Three times a year shall all your men appear before the Lord your God in the place that God will choose [referring presumably to the Temple in Jerusalem], on the festivals of Pesah (Passover), Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks), and Sukkot (the Festival of Booths). They shall not appear empty handed. Each shall bring his own gift, appropriate to the blessing which the Lord your God has given you” (Deuteronomy 16:16).
“Essentially, in this passage, God expresses a desire for all of the male Israelites to travel to Jerusalem (this is why they are called “pilgrimage” festivals) and have the priest offer the animal sacrifice that was incumbent on each of them. It is important to note that the Torah refers only to men in this passage, because in ancient times women were not accorded the same legal or religious status as men. Despite this omission, women did have the same religious and spiritual obligations as men in offering personal sacrifices for thanksgiving and the expiation of sins.” (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/pilgrimage-festivals/)
Exodus 34:30 all the children of Israel saw Moses . . . the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid
Transfiguration is “the condition of persons who are temporarily changed in appearance and nature—that is, lifted to a higher spiritual level—so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/transfiguration?lang=eng) Moses had spent so long with God that the very light of Jehovah illuminated his person for some time after the communication. This was yet another witness of God’s direct Presence among them. The people could not stand the brightness of the face of Moses let alone glory the Presence of Jehovah.
Michelangelo recorded this historic moment in marble.
“Moses (Italian: Mosè [moˈzɛ]; c. 1513–1515) is a sculpture by the Italian High Renaissance artist Michelangelo, housed in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome. Commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II for his tomb, it depicts the biblical figure Moses with horns on his head, based on a description in chapter 34 of Exodus in the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible used at that time.” (Moses (Michelangelo) - Wikipedia) The Latin Vulgate translated the rays of light emanating from the face of Moses as horns, an unfortunate error. The author once happened upon this larger than life statue in the Basilica of San Pietro and was overcome with the power of this amazing work.