3 Nephi 12

In this chapter, the Savior says much of what we find in Matthew 5. We are told that in all books of scripture, the Sermon on the Mount, which the Savior repeats here for the Nephites, is an abridgment. There is much more to it than the outline that we have here. And it's interesting to me that the Biblical account and the Book of Mormon account contain some differences. In these differences, the Book of Mormon adds clarification to what is found in the Bible.

What the Savior gives us are the goals, attitudes and attributes that we should seek for. They are eternal principles with the same common sense as the ten commandments. They are the mainstays of personal conduct and thought that enable us to be fulfilled in life, to live a life that is meaningful, and most of all, they are the qualifications we must eventually have to enter the Celestial Kingdom. To not seek after them is to short-change ourselves, to be less than what we are capable, to take the easy way out. I would suggest we prayerfully select on attribute and ask the Lord to help us obtain it. I want to comment on just a few of them.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." " Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." I put these two together. The poor in spirit are the humble, and the meek are those who seek not for power and position, but seek for the betterment of those around them. To them, all things will be given to them after this life, both in heaven and on earth. They may deny themselves now, but what they will be given after this life is beyond all comprehension.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." We always admire those who bear their burdens with a cheerful heart and do not seek to pull us down to wallow in misery with them. We can receive comfort in this life. But sometimes complete will not come until after we have passed through the veil. But if we learn become fellow sufferers with the Savior, our suffering has purpose and becomes endurable, and then it will be consecrated and made holy, and will be the means of great blessings in this life and after.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." I combine this with, "Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery; But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman (or man) to lust after her (or him), hath committed adultery already in his (or her) heart... suffer none of these things to enter into your heart; for it is better that ye should deny yourselves these things... than that ye should be cast into hell." When we treat the sacred and divine power to create life as simply a tool of pleasure, not only do we make light of how sacred the union of a man and woman is, we cheapen the whole principle of love, and deny ourselves of the opportunity to experience love to its fullest. We turn love into lust which is selfish and seeks only to satisfy one's own cravings rather than exalt another. The other person becomes a tool for our own gratification. In the end, these brief moments of satisfaction always lead to disappointment, disrespect, and regret. It is naive to assume that the consequences are minimal and do not reach into eternity. When love is expressed within the boundaries of marriage, the Lord blesses and sanctifies that union so the experience is not only more deeply fulfilling physically, but the love felt extends to greater heights and depths that cannot be experienced in any other way. We sense the sacredness of the act, the sacredness of the other person, and gain feelings of fulfillment not gained in any other way. It saddens me when people cannot control their passions and end up denying themselves this great and wonderful blessing.