The Even Higher Law

I've always wondered at the fact that God gave Moses the 10 commandments, then Moses destroyed them , saying they were a higher law, and that the children of Israel needed a lower law, thus was born the Law of Moses. So you have a higher law, and a lower law.
Yet when Christ came, he offered the even higher law. "Moses said don't kill, I say he who calls his brother Raca is in danger of heckfire". So now we've got a lower law, a higher law, and an even higher law. And yet, it seems we still focus on the higher law (10 commandments) and base our lives on it.
For me, the even higher law gives the deeper meaning of many of the higher law commandments. Sure we aren't supposed to commit adultery, but the even higher law says we can't even think about it. Lets cut that sin out by the root.
And what about murder? The even higher law says we can't even get angry with our brother, or call him names. Guess you won't ever make it to murder if you don't even get angry with anyone.
So, what about some other things? What about swearing? Is it the words, or the mood you're in when you say them. Probably both. Most swear words are degrading, and hurtful. But you also almost always say them in anger or hate.
What other even higher laws can you see in the commandments we live?

What Cows and the Israelites Teach us About Parenting

Cows

                If you’ve ever watched cows in a field, you’ve seen how they always seem to think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Constantly I see cows reaching through the fence, stretching the wires so they can get to the “better” grass. Unfortunately, their actions have a negative side-effect. By stretching and bending the fences, they weaken them and make openings that-while not big enough for themselves to use as an improvised gate, are big enough for their calves to squeeze through. And, following the example of their parents, they push their way through the fence in search of better grass--often times ending up getting killed by wolves or vehicles.

                Is your home similar to a cow’s field? Do you, as parents stretch the boundaries, knowing it won’t hurt you, but not thinking about the danger your actions pose to your children?

Israelites

                Another example came from the children of Israel. In Judges we read that they were told by the Lord to wipe out the inhabitants of a land so they could take possession of it and keep their purity. But the older generation decided that they could handle the temptations, and it would be better to allow them to remain and become their neighbors. What they didn’t think about was that their children weren’t as strong as they, and many fell to the temptations and evils of the people.

                Now, obviously we aren’t supposed to annihilate all bad examples around us. But do we have to invite less than good influences into our homes. We might think, “This movie has a few bad spots in it, but I can block that out. I'll close my eyes and then it’s ok.” But do we realize that our kids might not be closing their eyes? And that they will dwell on the bad spots, just out of curiosity at first, until they eventually will find a time when you aren’t around, and play the movie to satisfy their curiosity. Do we swear every now and then, believing it doesn’t really hurt us. Do we stretch the borders of truth just a bit, hoping our kids won't catch us?

              Every time we make exceptions for ourselves, we're opening a hole in our moral fence that our kids can squeeze through. Do we really want them out there, past the moral boundaries? Shouldn't we be the examples?

Where did all our faith and conviction go?

Whatever happened to the faith and conviction of saints of old. Tonight in our family scripture study, we were reading about Nephi's faithful courage to 'go and do.' We look back on the examples of the early saints of this dispensation and see much the same attitude. When the Lord called the saints to settle in the mountains in the west, did they back out of the call, claiming ailments and weakness. "Sorry Lord, my toe hurts so I better not go." or "Sorry Lord, it doesn't fit into my schedule."
No! They girded their loins, stood up tall and marched forth (or shuffled if they had to). Many said in their hearts: "I'd rather die on my way to zion, than turn away from the Lord's call."
Where did that conviction, that determination and faith go? Many literally walked themselves to death. Yet how many of us won't teach a primary class if we have a headache. I hear of people not staying through all 3 hours of church because the seats aren't comfortable enough for their backs. Really? Do you want to compare your seats with what the pioneers sat in? Have you sat in the old Tabernacle?
I may be just rambling about something I know nothing about. I'm not old. I'm healthy. But I pray that if I ever get old, or have similar ailments, that I will have the faith to stand and say, "I will go and do what the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he should prepare a way for them that they might accomplish the thing which he hath commanded."
He whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies. It may not be easy. It may be downright hard. But, the call came from the Lord, and the Lord blesses all who do His will.
For many are called, but few are chosen. Why are they not chosen? They haven't learned that in order to be chosen, you have to choose to follow Christ. When we choose to obey the call, we are chosen to receive blessings beyond measure.
I choose to have faith, and to obey.