Jesus Christ’s teachings in 3 Nephi 12–14
are sometimes referred to as the “sermon at the temple” because they resemble
the Savior’s well-known “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5–7 in the
Bible.
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| Sermon on the Mount |
BLESSED ARE…
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FOR…
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The poor in spirit who come unto me
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Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (3 Nephi 12:3)
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They that mourn
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They shall be comforted (12:4)
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The meek
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They shall inherit the earth (12:5)
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They who do hunger and thirst after righteousness
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They shall be filled with the Holy Ghost (12:6)
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The merciful
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They shall obtain mercy (12:7)
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The pure in heart
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They shall see God (12:8)
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The peacemakers
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They shall be called the children of God (12:9)
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They who are persecuted for my name’s sake
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Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (12:10)
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You when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner
of evil against you falsely, for my sake
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Ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be
your reward in heaven (12:11-12)
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It might be helpful to know that poor
in spirit (3 Nephi
12:3) means to be humble and dependent on the Lord, to mourn (3 Nephi
12:4) refers to feeling a sorrow for our sins that leads to repentance, and
to be meek (3 Nephi
12:5) can mean to be humble and gentle, to be submissive to God’s will, or
to be patient in enduring injury without resentment.
In the remainder of 3 Nephi 12,
Jesus referred to parts of the law of Moses and then taught a higher law. For
example, He said that in the law of Moses it was commanded “thou shalt not
kill” and “thou shalt not commit adultery.” But Jesus taught them to be a level
better—that they shouldn’t be angry or entertain lustful thoughts in the first
place. God gives us commandments to help us be happy. Think of all the
heartache that would be spared if people didn’t kill or cheat on their spouses?
Now take that to the next level, and how much MORE heartache would be spared if
people didn’t get angry, or if they weren’t driven by lustful desires.
But I think the highest law is this one – one I’ve read over
and over in my life, and yet I still seem to need it each time I read
it (perhaps it’s a life-long journey for me):
38 And behold, it is written, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;39 But I say unto you, that… whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also;40 And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also;41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away.43 And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy;44 But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;
I love these chapters – probably because I love the Sermon
on the Mount! There
are so many powerful teachings/principles/truths in this sermon from the Lord.
I can’t say anything better than He did, so I’ll just let you read
His words. Here are my favorite excerpts, and I’ve added headings to
organize/introduce the topics.
Doing good for praise or attention
13:1 Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should
do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be
seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven.
2 Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a
trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,
that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know
what thy right hand doeth;
4 That thine alms may be in
secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.
Forgiving others
13:14 For, if ye forgive men their trespasses your
heavenly Father will also forgive you;
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither
will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Priorities
13:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor
steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also.
You can’t please God
and man
13:24 No man can serve two
masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will
hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.
Judging others
14:1 …Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that
ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged;
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the
mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
*Note: a mote is a tiny sliver, and a beam is…well, a 2x4 or
bigger!
Seek God and you will find Him; Trust that God will give you good things
14:7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that
seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread,
will give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good
things to them that ask him?
The Golden Rule
14:12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
Don’t assume the majority of people have it right
14:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who
go in thereat;
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
How to identify if a prophet is false or true
14:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in
sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits…
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Faith without obedience is not sufficient
14:21 Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of my Father who is in heaven.
