Galatians 1

Paul reveals a great deal of incite how he came to understand the doctrine of Jesus Christ testifying -

"...I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (New Testament | Galatians 1:11 - 12)

When did much of this "revelation" take place? I believe Paul again tells us that after his vision on the road to Damascus that -

"...immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days." (New Testament | Galatians 1:16 - 18)

I believe that Paul, so deep in Jewish training, buried himself deep in the fasting, prayer, and the scriptures to come to an understanding that the Mosaice law that was so embraced was but a "schoolmaster" for the Jews to come to faith in Jesus Christ and that the "law" did not provide salvation. By revelation, he came to understand this so strongly that -

"...when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision." (New Testament | Galatians 2:11 - 12)

There is no question that Peter understood the gospel was to be preached to the gentiles, but when he was amongst the Jews, he seemed to sustain their tradition of the Mosaic law. Paul does not mention this, but I believe Peter, being the leader and president of the Church, probably acknowledged his human error, knowing the truth, and agreed with Paul. It is herein that Paul teaches the Galations this pure truth -

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (New Testament | Galatians 2:16)

This is where many become confused where they misunderstand that in referring to the "law", Paul is not referring to the commandments. Paul is referring to the Mosaic law that does not have power unto salvation. Nephi taught the same doctrine before the coming of Christ -

"...notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.
25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 25:24 - 27)

"...behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.
30 And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 25:29 - 30)