"As you begin to review the Beatitudes, note this commentary from the Bible Dictionary of the LDS scriptures. Beatitudes: Name given to certain declarations of blessedness in the Sermon on the Mount. Rather than being isolated statements, the Beatitudes are interrelated and progressive in their arrangement. A more comprehensive and accurate listing is found in 3 Ne. 12 and JST Matt. 5:, where a greater spiritual emphasis is given."
Daily Focus Scriptures to mark and Food For Thought:
3 Ne 12:3 - "Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me..."
When we come unto Christ, we are to “come down into the depths of humility and be baptized . . .” In fact, the phrase “poor in spirit” is a clear reference to humility. And those who are not humble will not come, or will not come all the way. Pride limits or prevents meekness and mercy and peacemaking.
3 Nephi 12:4 - "And blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
That humility will cause us to mourn for our sins. As we recognize the Redeemer and the pain that we have caused him and are causing him, we will be comforted.
3 Nephi 12:5 - "And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."It is meekness that allows us to really get outside ourselves. In daily discipleship, the many ways to express selfishness are matched by many ways to avoid it. Meekness is the real cure, for it does not merely mask selfishness but dissolves it! (Neal A.Maxwell, “Repent of [Our] Selfishness” Ensign, May 1999, p. 23)
3 Nephi 12:6 - "And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteous, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." The thing that keeps us moving on the path and toward the Savior is our longing (our hunger, our thirst) for the things of the Spirit, and to be reconciled with God. As we hunger and thirst for righteousness, the Lord makes a simple promise to us: You shall be filled.
3 Nephi 12:7 - "And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Having been forgiven, we are inclined to forgive, to reflect the mercy we have received from the Savior into the lives of others of the Father’s children. We are invited to be Christlike in this remarkable way–to stand beside him in forgiving and lifting. What an honor this is for us.
3 Nephi 12:8 - "And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God."All of these qualities taken together begin to purify our hearts. Our humility and our repentance and our meekness and our longing for righteousness and our mercy will make us pure.Zion
3 Nephi 12:9 - "And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
The most logical meaning of peacemaker may not be the most correct one. Any effort to reduce or eliminate contention in a relationship is commendable, but the meaning of being a peacemaker in the beatitudes probably relates to the gospel of peace, and to making it available to our brothers & sisters.
3 Nephi 12:10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."Will we continue to do all the things the beatitudes teach us even when we are persecuted and reviled and mocked for doing so?
3 Nephi 12:11 - "And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute...for my sake."
Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals!
For Kids/teens/adults:
Click here to watch video of song, "Love one Another"
Daily Focus Scriptures to mark and Food For Thought:
3 Ne 12:3 - "Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me..."
When we come unto Christ, we are to “come down into the depths of humility and be baptized . . .” In fact, the phrase “poor in spirit” is a clear reference to humility. And those who are not humble will not come, or will not come all the way. Pride limits or prevents meekness and mercy and peacemaking.
3 Nephi 12:4 - "And blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
That humility will cause us to mourn for our sins. As we recognize the Redeemer and the pain that we have caused him and are causing him, we will be comforted.
3 Nephi 12:5 - "And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."It is meekness that allows us to really get outside ourselves. In daily discipleship, the many ways to express selfishness are matched by many ways to avoid it. Meekness is the real cure, for it does not merely mask selfishness but dissolves it! (Neal A.Maxwell, “Repent of [Our] Selfishness” Ensign, May 1999, p. 23)
3 Nephi 12:6 - "And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteous, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." The thing that keeps us moving on the path and toward the Savior is our longing (our hunger, our thirst) for the things of the Spirit, and to be reconciled with God. As we hunger and thirst for righteousness, the Lord makes a simple promise to us: You shall be filled.
3 Nephi 12:7 - "And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Having been forgiven, we are inclined to forgive, to reflect the mercy we have received from the Savior into the lives of others of the Father’s children. We are invited to be Christlike in this remarkable way–to stand beside him in forgiving and lifting. What an honor this is for us.
3 Nephi 12:8 - "And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God."All of these qualities taken together begin to purify our hearts. Our humility and our repentance and our meekness and our longing for righteousness and our mercy will make us pure.
3 Nephi 12:9 - "And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God."
The most logical meaning of peacemaker may not be the most correct one. Any effort to reduce or eliminate contention in a relationship is commendable, but the meaning of being a peacemaker in the beatitudes probably relates to the gospel of peace, and to making it available to our brothers & sisters.
3 Nephi 12:10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."Will we continue to do all the things the beatitudes teach us even when we are persecuted and reviled and mocked for doing so?
3 Nephi 12:11 - "And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute...for my sake."
Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals!
For Kids/teens/adults:
Click here to watch video of song, "Love one Another"
BOMING Picture: Jesus gives the Beatitudes to the Nephites
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