In Mormonism, law refers to the commandments and ordinances established by God. Members are taught that “there is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven…upon which all blessings are predicated” (Doctrine & Covenants 130:20–21). In other words, every blessing from God is conditional on keeping a law. As Spencer W. Kimball said, “All blessings are conditional. I know of none that are not.”
The law is therefore seen as the path to progress. By exercising their agency to choose obedience, Mormons believe they can qualify for God’s blessings — whether forgiveness, guidance, temple covenants, or exaltation. In this way, law and gospel are not opposites in Mormon thought, but closely joined. The “gospel” is often described as the plan of laws and ordinances that, when obeyed, make eternal life possible.
Biblical Christianity, however, views the law very differently. The law reveals God’s holiness and shows our inability to meet his perfect standard (Romans 3:20). Its primary purpose is to expose sin and drive us to Christ, who has already fulfilled the law on our behalf. The gospel is not a set of laws but the good news that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus alone (Romans 8:1–4; Galatians 2:16).
