Gospel Doctrine Commentary
Lesson No. Thirty-Eight

Latter Day Scriptures Increase Our Understanding of the Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount is an autobiography of the Master – President Harold B. Lee explained: “In the Sermon on the Mount the Master has given us somewhat of a revelation of his own character, which was perfect, or what might be said to be an autobiography, every syllable of which He had written down in deeds, and in so doing has given us a blueprint for our own lives” (Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 342).

 

Sermon on the Mount  -  Harry Anderson

 

If the Sermon on the Mount is an autobiography of the Lord then we should learn as much as possible about it so as we can, as President Lee suggests, make it a blue print for our own lives.

The Sermon at the Temple, recorded in the Book of Mormon, has been preserved for the latter days and it expands our understanding of the Sermon on the Mount – In the Sermon at the Temple Jesus gives two additional Beatitudes:

  1. “Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants.”  If we do this Jesus promises that “I will baptize you with fire and the Holy Ghost” (3 Nephi 12:1).  If we heed the words of our latter day Prophets and Apostles we are promised the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we will be led in the way of life and salvation.
  2. “And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in [the testimony of Christ as found in the Book of Mormon]…and come down into the depths of humility…for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins” (3 Nephi 12:2).  The study of the Book of Mormon should be a lifelong pursuit.

The Sermon at the Temple gives greater understanding to the other Beatitudes – The third Beatitude is: “Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (3 Nephi 12:3).  The qualifying phrase “who come unto me” is found only in this Beatitude, but the use of the word “And” in each Beatitude that follows ties them all together.  In this way the phrase “who come unto me” is implied and gives greater meaning to each Beatitude in 3 Nephi 12:4-10.  These Beatitudes, with “who come unto me” added, would then read:    

  •   Vs 4 – And again blessed are all they that mourn who come unto me, for they shall be comforted. 
  •   Vs 5 – And blessed are the meek who come unto me, for they shall inherit the earth.
  •   Vs 6 – And blessed are all they who hunger and thirst after righteousness who come unto me, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.
  •   Vs 7 – And blessed are the merciful who come unto me, for they shall obtain mercy.
  •   Vs 8 – And blessed are all the pure in heart who come unto me, for they shall see God.
  •   Vs 9 – And blessed are the peacemakers who come unto me, for they be called the children of God.
  •   Vs 10 – And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my names sake who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Emphasis added)

The message is that to receive the blessings mentioned we must in all cases come unto Christ.

We must live the commandments found in these sermons if we are to have eternal life – As He began the Sermon at the Temple Jesus said: “Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (3 Nephi 12:20).

As Jesus concluded the Sermon at the Temple He promised: “therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day” (3 Nephi 15:1).

The Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (JST) is a gift to people who desire to know more about the Lord and his teachings – The JST gives greater insights that are not found in either the Sermon on the Mount or in the Sermon at the Temple.  Those who desire it, and are prepared to receive greater understanding of the Lord and His teachings will love the JST.

For example, Matthew 7: 1-2 and 3 Nephi 14:1-2 both read: “Judge not that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.”  The JST has an important clarification: “Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgement.  For with what judgment ye shall judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measure to you again” (JST Matthew 7:1-3, emphasis added). 

While the Latter Day Saints have a good understanding of the need for tolerance, we must be careful not to make tolerance the cardinal virtue.  Tolerance must be subordinated to truth and righteousness. The JST makes it clear that we are to resist iniquity and exercise our agency by making righteous judgements based on principals of right and wrong.

The Book of Mormon and the JST are additional testimonies of Jesus Christ for the latter days – Third Nephi fits the definition of a gospel because it teaches about the mission, doctrines, and personality of Jesus Christ.  It can accurately be referred to as the “Fifth Gospel.”

Each of the four Gospels found in the New Testament was written for a specific audience.  Matthew wrote to the Jews, Mark and Luke directed their testimonies primarily to the gentiles, particularly the Romans and Greeks, and John’s message was directed to members of the ancient Church of Jesus Christ.

Like the JST, Third Nephi is for the people of the latter days to whom the Book of Mormon was written and for whom a powerfully unique testimony of Jesus Christ has been preserved.