Maybe things have changed since I was in the church, but in the one I grew up in, The OT God was a wrathful God, and the rules were punishable by extreme measures. Otoh, once Jesus came along, that changed altogether, and salvation became a matter of faith, and was not dependent on works, although good works were encouraged. Or maybe it was just a Baptist thing.
Baptists seem to preach that, I've heard them and other evangelical type Christians state the LDS are not Christian because we believe even though no matter what we do it is because of the mercy of God and Christ's Atonement that we gain salvation, we still have to have both faith and good works. Because we believe we also have to keep the commandments, they think that makes us not Christian when the New Testament clearly teaches that you must have good works also. Here are just a few of numerous verses that teach this:
Revelation 22:12-14
And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be....
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
John 14:21,23
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him....
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
James Ch 2:
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
You must resist sin:
James 4:6-10
6 . . . Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.