Lesson 22: “Even as I Am”
"What we get from a
book—especially a sacred text—is mostly dependent on what we take to its
reading—in desire and readiness to learn, and in attunement to the light
communicated by the Spirit of the Lord." (DHOaks, CR, April, 2006)
1. The resurrected Jesus Christ invited His disciples to
follow His example. By studying the principles He taught the Nephites at the
temple in Bountiful, we can learn how to become like Him. The Savior prayed
that all those who believe in Him might experience unity with Him and our
Heavenly Father. This lesson is designed to help us understand what we can do to become more like Jesus Christ.
2. Henry B. Eyring, “Our Perfect
Example,” Ensign Nov. 2009, 70–73.
3. Lynn G. Robbins, “What Manner of Men
and Women Ought Ye to Be?” Ensign, May
2011, 103–5.
4. 3 Nephi 27:21–22, 27; Moroni 7:48
5. “Many of us create to do lists
to remind us of things we want to accomplish. But people rarely have to be lists.”
(Robbins)
7. “That man is greatest and most
blessed and joyful whose life most closely fits the pattern of the Christ. This
has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test
of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being
like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the
abundant life” (ETBenson, Ensign, Dec. 1988, 2).
8. “In his Sermon
on the Mount the Master has given us somewhat of a revelation of his own
character, which was perfect, … and in so doing has given us a blueprint for
our own lives” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B.
Lee [2000], 200).
13. 3 Nephi 14:1–5
14. 3 Nephi 14:21–27
15. John 17:9–11, 20–23; 3 Nephi 19:19–23, 28–29 Becoming one with the Father and
the Son
16. 3 Nephi 19:19–23, 28–29 Through faith, we can be
purified and become one with Jesus Christ, as He is one with the Father.)
17. John 17:9–11, 20–23 In what ways can we experience the unity that
exists between the Father and the Son?
18. “Jesus achieved perfect unity with the Father
by submitting Himself, both flesh and spirit, to the will of the Father. His
ministry was always clearly focused because there was no debilitating or
distracting double-mindedness in Him. Referring to His Father, Jesus said, ‘I
do always those things that please him’ (John 8:29). …“Surely
we will not be one with God and Christ until we make Their will and interest
our greatest desire. Such submissiveness is not reached in a day, but through
the Holy Spirit, the Lord will tutor us if we are willing until, in process of
time, it may accurately be said that He is in us as the Father is in Him” (DTChristofferson,
“That They May Be
One in Us,” Ensign, Nov. 2002, 72–73).
19. “Years ago, I changed my attitude about
going to church. No longer do I go to church for my sake, but to think of
others. I make a point of saying hello to people who sit alone, to welcome
visitors, … to volunteer for an assignment. …“In short, I go to church
each week with the intent of being active, not passive, and making a positive
difference in people’s lives. Consequently, my attendance at Church meetings is
so much more enjoyable and fulfilling." (DHOaks, CR, April, 2009)
1. I'm trying to be like Jesus; I'm
following in his ways. I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice, But I try
to listen as the still small voice whispers, (chorus)
2. I'm trying to love my neighbor; I'm
learning to serve my friends. I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will
come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught. Then the Holy
Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
Chorus- "Love one another as Jesus
loves you. Try to show kindness in all
that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these
are the things Jesus taught." Janice Kapp Perry,
First,
I give counsel to husbands and wives. Pray for the love which allows you to see
the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and
mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own.
Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your
companion. (Eyring)
_____________
“To be, or not to be” is actually a very good
question. The Savior posed the question in a far more profound way, making it
a vital doctrinal question for each of us: “What manner of men [and women]
ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Nephi
27:27;). The
first-person present tense of the verb be is I Am. He
invites us to take upon us His name and His nature.
To become as
He is, we
must also do the
things He did: “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in
my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that
shall ye also do” (3 Nephi
27:21;).
To be and
to do are
inseparable. As interdependent doctrines they reinforce and promote each other.
Faith inspires one to pray, for example, and prayer in turn strengthens one’s
faith.
The Savior
often denounced those who did without being—calling them hypocrites: Do without be—hypocrisy—portrays a false image to others, while be without do portrays
a false image to oneself.
While He
recognized the importance of do, the
Savior identified be as
a “weightier matter.” The greater importance of being is
illustrated in the following examples: Entering the waters of baptism is
something we do. The be that must precede it is faith in Jesus Christ and
a mighty change of heart.
• Partaking
of the sacrament is
something we do.
Being worthy to
partake of the sacrament is a weightier and much more important matter.
Many of us
create to do lists
to remind us of things we want to accomplish. But people rarely have to be lists.
Why? To do’s are activities or events that can be
checked off the list when done.
To be, however, is never done. You can’t earn
checkmarks with to be’s. I can take my wife out for a lovely
evening this Friday, which is a to
do. But being a
good husband is not an event; it needs to
be part of my nature—my character, or who I
am.
Christlike to be’s cannot be seen, but they are the
motivating force behind what we do, which
can be seen. Because be begets do and
is the motive behind do, teaching be will improve behavior more effectively than focusing on do will
improve behavior.
How do
parents teach these attributes to their children? We will never have a greater
opportunity to teach and show Christ like attributes to our children than in
the way we discipline them. Discipline comes
from the same root word as disciple and
implies patience and teaching on our part. It should not be done in anger. We
can and should discipline the way that Doctrine
and Covenants 121 teaches us: “by persuasion, by
long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness
and pure knowledge” (verses
41–42). These are all
Christlike be’s that should be a part of who we, as
parents and disciples of Christ, are.
Through
discipline the child learns of consequences. In such moments it is helpful to
turn negatives into positives. If the child confesses to a wrong, praise the
courage it took to confess. Ask the child what he or she learned from the
mistake or misdeed, which gives you, and more important, the Spirit an
opportunity to touch and teach the child. When we teach children doctrine by
the Spirit, that doctrine has the power to change their very nature—be—over time.
Alma
discovered this same principle, that “the preaching of the word had a great tendency
to lead the people to
do that which was just—yea, it had had more
powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword” (Alma 31:5; emphasis added). Why? Because the
sword focused only on punishing behavior—or do—while preaching the word changed people’s very nature—who they were or
could become.
A sweet and
obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are
blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be
enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in
the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging
child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which
child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most
likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need
this child as much as this child needs you?
We have all
heard the advice to condemn the sin and not the sinner. Likewise, when our
children misbehave, we must be careful not to say things that would cause them
to believe that what they did wrong
is who they are. “Never
let failure progress from an action to an identity,” with its attendant labels
like “stupid,” “slow,” “lazy,” or “clumsy.”2 Our
children are God’s children. That is their true identity and potential. His
very plan is to help His children overcome mistakes and misdeeds and to
progress to become as He is. Disappointing
behavior, therefore, should be considered as something temporary, not
permanent—an act, not an identity.
We need to
be careful, therefore, about using permanent phrases such as “You
always …” or “You never …” when disciplining. Take care with phrases
such as “You never consider my feelings” or “Why do you always make us wait?”
Phrases like these make actions appear as an identity and can adversely
influence the child’s self-perception and self-worth.
When
children receive a report card from school, we can praise them for their good
grades, but it may be of greater lasting benefit to praise them for their diligence: “You
turned in every assignment. You are one who knows how to tackle and finish
difficult things. I am proud of you.”
During family scripture
time, look for and discuss examples of attributes discovered in your reading
that day. Because Christlike attributes are gifts from God and cannot be
developed without His help,3 in
family and personal prayers, pray for those gifts.
At the
dinner table, occasionally talk about attributes, especially those you
discovered in the scriptures earlier that morning. “In what way were you a good
friend today? In what way did you show compassion? How did faith help you face
today’s challenges? In what way were you dependable? honest? generous? humble?”
There are scores of attributes in the scriptures that need to be taught and
learned.
The most
important way to teach to
be is to be the
kind of parents to our children that our Father in Heaven is to us. He is the
one perfect parent, and He has shared with us His parenting manual—the
scriptures.
My remarks
today have been addressed primarily to parents, but the principles apply to
everyone. May your efforts to develop Christlike attributes be successful so
that His image may be engraven in your countenance and His attributes manifest
in your behavior. Then, when your children or others feel of your love and see
your behavior, it will remind them of the Savior and draw them to Him is my
prayer and testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen (Robbins)
Lesson 38: “Even as I Am,” 3 Nephi 12-15
By Jeffrey Marsh ·
September 26, 2016
While working through his inspired translation of the
Bible, the Prophet Joseph Smith learned that those who receive “the testimony
of Jesus” and believe on his name and receive priesthood ordinances will
inherit the celestial kingdom (see D&C 76:51). He also learned that those
who refuse to receive the testimony of Jesus, those who are not valiant in the
testimony of Jesus, and those who deny the testimony of Jesus or fight against
the witness of the Spirit, will be consigned to lower kingdoms throughout
eternity (see D&C 76:72, 79, 101, and 35-37).
To receive the testimony of Jesus is to hear it, accept
it, and assimilate it into our lives. God has promised eternal life to those
who come to “know” Him by becoming like Him (see John 17:3 and Matthew 5:48).
The Sermon on the Mount is the most significant
“testimony” of our Lord ever recorded. It is a blueprint for exaltation because
it bears witness of the Savior’s celestial character. It is an invitation from
the Redeemer of all mankind to “Come watch me. Listen to my words. Do what you
see me do. Learn of me, and receive eternal life.” In this magnificent sermon,
the Savior taught the Nephites about his magnificent character and what it
really means to become “even as He is.” Latter-day Saints are fortunate to have
an inspired version of the Sermon on the Mount and an additional version, the
Sermon at the temple in the land Bountiful. Both sermons add much light and
understanding to what Jesus really taught.
To Whom Was Jesus Speaking?
The Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith Translation make it clear that these sermons were directed to the Twelve Apostles and to the Savior’s disciples, or the baptized, covenant members of the Church (3 Nephi 12:1-2). They were calls to a higher level for members of the Church, as well as a call for members to share the gospel with others.
The Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith Translation make it clear that these sermons were directed to the Twelve Apostles and to the Savior’s disciples, or the baptized, covenant members of the Church (3 Nephi 12:1-2). They were calls to a higher level for members of the Church, as well as a call for members to share the gospel with others.
Come unto Christ–the Beatitudes
There are some significant differences between the account of the Beatitudes in the New Testament Sermon on the Mount, and the Beatitudes recorded in the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith Translation. All the changes in the JST are found in the Book of Mormon. It is interesting to note the change in the first beatitude because this is how the Savior began his great sermon: “Yea, Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (3 Nephi 12:3.)
There are some significant differences between the account of the Beatitudes in the New Testament Sermon on the Mount, and the Beatitudes recorded in the Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith Translation. All the changes in the JST are found in the Book of Mormon. It is interesting to note the change in the first beatitude because this is how the Savior began his great sermon: “Yea, Blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (3 Nephi 12:3.)
Those who are humble will be led by the Spirit to know
and understand the gospel (D&C136:32-33; Alma 13:28). Those who
“come unto Christ” by denying themselves of “all ungodliness,” who love God
with all their might, mind, strength, and who serve others can receive His
grace (Moroni 10:32-33). This grace is a divine means of help or strength
that can fill us with the Savior’s love (Moroni 7:47-48), can make “weak things
become strong” unto us(Ether 12:24), can perfect us in Christ (Moroni
10:32-33), and can enable “men and women to lay hold on eternal life and
exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” (LDS Bible
Dictionary, “Grace,” p. 697.) In other words, the Savior has power far beyond
our own. He can bless and strengthen us to accomplish things and to become
something more than we could ever do on our own. But this gift of grace, or
help in time of need, is reserved only for those who “come unto him,” who “have
a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else” (2 Nephi 2:7). There
are many blessings flowing from the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and from his
loving kindness that can be had in this life, as well as the next. “For I do
know,” Alma taught his family, “that whosoever shall put their trust
in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions,
and shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 36:3.)
This great Sermon clarifies that coming unto Christ is
the only way back to the presence of the Father. That is why the Savior’s
invitations to us include: “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22), “Learn of me” (Matt.
11:29), “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), “I have set an
example for you” (3 Ne. 18:16), and “Be ” even as I am” (3 NE 27:27).
There are other changes in the Beatitudes (literally
meaning “attitudes” that ought to “be” a part of our life). The Beatitudes are
a description of the happy life. Comparing all the Beatitudes in the Book of
Mormon with the Beatitudes in the Bible gives us significant new insight.
Salt of the Earth and Light of the World
Following the Beatitudes, the Book of Mormon and JST add a phrase to the beginning of verses 13 and 14: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be…” This is far different than “Ye are the…”
Following the Beatitudes, the Book of Mormon and JST add a phrase to the beginning of verses 13 and 14: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be…” This is far different than “Ye are the…”
Thus, the Sermon at the Temple in the Book of
Mormon makes it clear that the Savior is inviting his disciples to “become” the
salt of the earth and to “become” the light of the world. Covenant Saints are
the Salt of the Earth. It is not a given that they already are. The personal
example of a Latter-day Saint can have a very positive impact on others.
Negative examples can also keep people from receiving the gospel message, “for
when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words”
(Alma 39:11).
Salt can only lose its savor through mixture and
contamination. Light can only be eliminated when it is covered. The Book of
Mormon Sermon at the Temple indicates that the Savior was calling his disciples
to become “Saints,” to set their lives apart from the world, so that others
might see “your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (3 Nephi
12:16).
In our day, the Lord reiterated this same call, but added
one letter to the word “savor” and changed its entire meaning: “For they [the
Saints] were set to be as light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men;
And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost
its savor…” (D&C 103:8-10.)
Latter-day Saints are more than the “flavoring” (savor)
or examples to mankind. They have been called to be “saviors” by sharing the
gospel, redeeming the dead, and perfecting their own lives(D&C 86:11).
If they are unable to do this work, “wherewith shall the
earth be salted?” In a Mission President’s Seminar (June 1999),
President Gordon B. Hinckley observed, “Our message is so imperative, when you
stop to think that the salvation, the eternal salvation of the world, rests
upon the shoulders of this church. When all is said and done, if the world is
going to be saved, we have to do it. There is no escaping from that. No other
people in the history of the world have received the kind of mandate that we
have received. We are responsible for all who have lived on the earth. That
involves family history and temple work. We are responsible for all who now
live upon the earth, and that involves missionary work. And we are going to be
responsible for all who will yet live upon the earth.”
This sermon was also a call to teach others the eternal
truths of the Gospel. “Whosoever shall do and teach these commandments of the
law until it be fulfilled, the same shall be called great,and shall be
saved in the kingdom of heaven. (See JST Matt. 5:21.) “Effective
teaching,”President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “is the very essence of
leadership in the Church. Eternal life will come only as men and women are
taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives.
They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven.
They must be led, and that means teaching.” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles added: “For each of us to ‘come unto Christ,’ to
keep His commandments and follow His example back to the Father is surely the
highest and holiest purpose of human existence. To help others do that as
well–to teach, persuade, and prayerfully lead them to walk that path of
redemption also–surely that must be the second most significant task in our
lives. Perhaps that is why President David O. McKay once said, ‘No greater
responsibility can rest upon any man[or woman] than to be a teacher of
God’s children.'”
Perfection
The Joseph Smith Translation strengthens the charge in Matt. 5:48: “Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (JST Matt. 5:50).In the Book of Mormon account, given after the Savior’s resurrection, it reads, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” (3 Nephi 12:48.)
Perfection
The Joseph Smith Translation strengthens the charge in Matt. 5:48: “Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (JST Matt. 5:50).In the Book of Mormon account, given after the Savior’s resurrection, it reads, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” (3 Nephi 12:48.)
Perfection is an eternal goal, not a mortal possibility.
It is, however, a commandment that can be kept. As President Joseph Fielding
Smith observed, “I believe the Lord meant just what he said:that we should
be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. That will not come all at once,
but line upon line, and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even
then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even
beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God.
“But here we lay the foundation. Here is where we are
taught these simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in this probationary
state, to prepare us for that perfection. It is our duty to be better today
than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today. Why?Because…if
we are keeping the commandments of the Lord, we are on that road to
perfection,and that can only come through obedience and the desire in our
hearts to overcome the world. It is the duty of every man to try to be like his
Eternal Father.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:18-19.)
Feelings of inadequacy or anxiety about perfection should
not surprise us. Only with the Savior’s help, atonement, and resurrection will
perfection ever be possible. But the marvelous promise is that He can and will
help! “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him”
(Moroni 10:32).”Wherefore, ye must press forward with a
steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love
of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the
word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall
have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).
The word “steadfastness” comes from the Greek, meaning
“immovable, settled.” In English it means “to stand firm in belief and
determination.” Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, means to be settled
and firm in our faith that he can help us become even as he is.
Doing Alms in Secret
Alms are righteous acts of service or righteous acts of religious devotion (see Matt. 6:1, footnote b). The King James Version and the Book of Mormon state: “When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matt. 6:3; 3 Nephi 13:3), a physical impossibility if taken literally. The Joseph Smith Translation is much clearer: “When thou doest alms, let it be unto thee as thy left hand not knowing what thy right hand doeth.”
Alms are righteous acts of service or righteous acts of religious devotion (see Matt. 6:1, footnote b). The King James Version and the Book of Mormon state: “When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matt. 6:3; 3 Nephi 13:3), a physical impossibility if taken literally. The Joseph Smith Translation is much clearer: “When thou doest alms, let it be unto thee as thy left hand not knowing what thy right hand doeth.”
The Savior set the perfect example of one who continually
did quiet acts of service and numerous acts of kindness for which He sought no
recognition (see Matt. 8:4; Luke 8:56; Luke 9:21). John the Beloved closed his
testament and bore witness of the Savior’s almsgiving with these words: “And
there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be
written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the
books that should be written” (John 21:25). As in all things, the Savior showed
us the way.
The Lord’s Prayer
None of the changes in the JST to the Lord’s Prayer are found in the Book of Mormon account. One in particular is profound. The King James Version and the Book of Mormon record, “And lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13), making it sound as if Heavenly Father occasionally and purposefully leads His children into temptation. The JST footnote in the Bible reads: “Suffer us not to be led into temptation.”
None of the changes in the JST to the Lord’s Prayer are found in the Book of Mormon account. One in particular is profound. The King James Version and the Book of Mormon record, “And lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13), making it sound as if Heavenly Father occasionally and purposefully leads His children into temptation. The JST footnote in the Bible reads: “Suffer us not to be led into temptation.”
While some readers wrestle with the false idea that God
creates evil and leads us to it, the Prophet Joseph Smith helps us understand
that portion of the Lord’s Prayer as a plea for protection from the evil one,
as a petition to not let us enter into temptation (compare Matt. 6:13,
footnotes b and d). As Joseph Smith himself later taught, only those who resist
the Spirit of God are liable to be led into temptation.
Doing the Father’s Will
The King James Version and the Book of Mormon state: “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light” (Matt. 6:22). The JST footnote adds, “If therefore thine eye be single to the glory of God, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
The King James Version and the Book of Mormon state: “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light” (Matt. 6:22). The JST footnote adds, “If therefore thine eye be single to the glory of God, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
When the Savior undertook the work of the Father to save
all mankind, He had regard only for the glory of the Father. The first words we
hear from His premortal life as recorded in the scriptures are “Father, thy
will be done, and the glory be thine forever” (Moses 4:2). The first words we
have in the scriptures that the Savior spoke as a mortal include “I must be
about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). In Gethsemane He prayed, “Not my will,
but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). His final words on the cross were “Father,
into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46) and “Father, it is finished,
thy will is done” (see JST, footnote to Matt. 27:50).From His premortal
existence throughout His entire life, the Savior’s eye was single to doing the
will of His Father.
To follow in the Savior’s footsteps is to assist the
Father in His work and glory, which is “to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). As one source put it, “To be able to
say at all times, truthfully, ‘Thine be the honor,’ is to be sanctified; that
is to be a Saint.”In other words, following the Savior’s example and
participating in God’s work through perfecting our lives, preaching the gospel,
and redeeming the dead through temple work will sanctify us and help us not
only comprehend God, but become precisely like him (D&C88:67-68).
Instructions to Ministers in the Kingdom
The JST and the Book of Mormon indicate that certain verses in the Sermon on the Mount were directed to the Twelve, who were about to embark on missions (see JST, Matt. 6:25-27, Bible appendix; 3 NE 13:25). Without knowing that, one could assume that the Savior was telling everyone not to worry about food, clothing, or other necessities of life (see Matt. 6:25-34). But His words about taking no thought for those things were spoken in answer to the Apostles’ concerns about providing for themselves and their families while serving in the ministry. He gave the absolute assurance that Heavenly Father would care for His servants if they would “seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness” (JST, Matt. 6:33). The Lord gave a similar assurance to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon while they were serving a mission to Canada in 1833 and feeling concern for their families (see D&C 100:1).
The JST and the Book of Mormon indicate that certain verses in the Sermon on the Mount were directed to the Twelve, who were about to embark on missions (see JST, Matt. 6:25-27, Bible appendix; 3 NE 13:25). Without knowing that, one could assume that the Savior was telling everyone not to worry about food, clothing, or other necessities of life (see Matt. 6:25-34). But His words about taking no thought for those things were spoken in answer to the Apostles’ concerns about providing for themselves and their families while serving in the ministry. He gave the absolute assurance that Heavenly Father would care for His servants if they would “seek not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness” (JST, Matt. 6:33). The Lord gave a similar assurance to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon while they were serving a mission to Canada in 1833 and feeling concern for their families (see D&C 100:1).
Judging Others
The King James Version and the Book of Mormon read: “Judge not, that ye be not judged”(Matt. 7:1; 3 Nephi 14:1), making it sound as if no one should ever judge others. But the JST footnote clarifies the doctrine: “Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.”
The King James Version and the Book of Mormon read: “Judge not, that ye be not judged”(Matt. 7:1; 3 Nephi 14:1), making it sound as if no one should ever judge others. But the JST footnote clarifies the doctrine: “Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.”
The context of verses 2-5 suggests that looking for fault
in others or critically condemning others is what is being censured by the
Savior. He has counseled us to be merciful, to deal justly, and to judge others
righteously–to make appropriate ethical appraisals of others under the
influence of the Spirit (see Alma 41:14; D&C 11:12; D&C 121:41-45). He
warned us to “cease to find fault one with another” (D&C 88:124) because
“with [that same] judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged” (Matt. 7:2).
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
observed there are two kinds of judging, including “final judgments, which we
are forbidden to make, and intermediate judgments which we are directed to
make, but upon righteous principles. ”
“Latter-day Saints understand the final judgment as the
time when all men will receive their personal dominions in the mansions
prepared for them in various kingdoms of glory. ” I believe that the scriptural
command to judge not refers most clearly to this final judgment.”
“Ye Never Knew Me”
Near the close of the Sermon, the King James Version and the Book of Mormon state that at the day of final judgment the Savior will declare to some, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23; 3 Nephi 154:23). The Savior, of course, knows each of us. Because of the Atonement, He knows us better than we know ourselves, including an intimate understanding of all our pains, sufferings, and infirmities (see Alma 7:11-13). There is nothing He cannot comprehend (see D&C 38:2). He not only knows us but He loves us and helps us (see Alma 36:3; Isa. 61:1-3). In contrast, the JST reverses the thought to its accurate case: “Ye never knew me.” President John Taylor said that the statements in 3 Nephi 14:21-23 will refer to some Latter-day Saints at the day of final judgment.
Near the close of the Sermon, the King James Version and the Book of Mormon state that at the day of final judgment the Savior will declare to some, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23; 3 Nephi 154:23). The Savior, of course, knows each of us. Because of the Atonement, He knows us better than we know ourselves, including an intimate understanding of all our pains, sufferings, and infirmities (see Alma 7:11-13). There is nothing He cannot comprehend (see D&C 38:2). He not only knows us but He loves us and helps us (see Alma 36:3; Isa. 61:1-3). In contrast, the JST reverses the thought to its accurate case: “Ye never knew me.” President John Taylor said that the statements in 3 Nephi 14:21-23 will refer to some Latter-day Saints at the day of final judgment.
As He closed His sermon, the Savior gave the comforting
assurance that those who “heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will
liken unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock” (3 Nephi 14:24). His
teachings are a sure foundation upon which we can build our lives to weather
any storm (see Matt. 7:25 and Helaman 5:12). His philosophy of life–His
gospel–exceeds all the wisdom of the world, and His teachings bring to the
world things “which they have never considered” (D&C 101:94). To those awed
by the philosophies of men,however, His teachings may seem like “idle tales”
(Luke 24:11) or “strange things” (Luke 5:26). Little wonder then that “when
Jesus had ended these sayings with his disciples, the people were astonished at
his doctrine: “For he taught them as one having authority from God, and not as
having authority from the Scribes” (see JST footnotes to Matt. 7:28-29).
Blueprint for Exaltation
The Sermon at the temple is perhaps the most significant testimony of our Lord ever recorded. It is a blueprint for exaltation because it bears witness of the Savior’s celestial nature. President Harold B. Lee called it “a revelation of His own character, which was perfect” and said it is an”autobiography, every syllable of which He had written down in deeds,” thus making it a “blueprint for our own lives.” It is essentially an invitation from the Redeemer of all mankind to come and watch Him, let him be our example, to learn of Him, and receive eternal life.
The Sermon at the temple is perhaps the most significant testimony of our Lord ever recorded. It is a blueprint for exaltation because it bears witness of the Savior’s celestial nature. President Harold B. Lee called it “a revelation of His own character, which was perfect” and said it is an”autobiography, every syllable of which He had written down in deeds,” thus making it a “blueprint for our own lives.” It is essentially an invitation from the Redeemer of all mankind to come and watch Him, let him be our example, to learn of Him, and receive eternal life.
We owe the Prophet Joseph Smith a debt of gratitude for
providing the world with two of the most insightful renderings of the greatest
sermon ever given. The Savior has promised that those who receive His
testimony, which undoubtedly includes the Sermon at the temple, will inherit
the celestial kingdom of God. Because of Joseph Smith’s contributions, we can
discover the true meanings of the Savior’s teachings to a greater extent than
ever before.
