Detail from “Third Nephi: These Twelve Whom I Have Chosen,” by Gary L. Kapp
What would your discipleship look like if you internalized the principles of the gospel? In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior shows us the contrast between superficial compliance and heartfelt service and worship. An obedient person doesn’t kill; a disciple strives to master their emotions. An obedient person offers beautiful public prayers; a disciple offers heartfelt private prayers. An obedient person professes faith in Jesus Christ; a disciple demonstrates their faith by their works, even when their decisions are not popular.
After teaching these principles to the people gathered in Bountiful, Jesus shared a message of inclusivity: He had told His disciples in Jerusalem about these people in the Americas, calling them His “other sheep.” (See John 10:16.) But that wasn’t all. There were additional people whom He would visit, and eventually all of these “sheep” would be gathered in “one fold.” The Gentiles would also play a crucial role in gathering His people. Everyone who is willing to believe in Him can contribute to God’s work of uplifting and unifying people.
Here are some other lessons I’ve learned from these chapters:
Outline
Key Themes
- Jesus fulfilled the law by completing His mission, by converting prophecy into reality, and by distilling the law to its essential underlying principles.
- We can accomplish far more by letting God govern us than by trying to achieve success on our own.
- God loves His children and will answer when they call.
- Religious practices change, but fundamental principles are eternal and unchanging.
- The gospel can help people from different backgrounds learn to “see eye to eye.”
Connections
- King David said that those who have “clean hands and a pure heart” will stand in God’s holy place. (See Psalm 24:3-4.) Jesus taught the same principle in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8, 3 Nephi 12:8).
- The apostle Paul assured Jewish church members that they would be spiritually strengthened by “the fulness of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:25). Jesus used the same phrase as He prophesied that the Gentiles would play a key role in the gathering of Israel. (See 3 Nephi 16:4.)
Applications
- Work to develop Christlike attributes.
- Strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, not just to look like a disciple of Jesus Christ.
- Live in the moment, believing that with God’s help, there will be time to do tomorrow’s work.
- Be generous, fair, and kind in your evaluation of other people.
- Don’t benchmark your decisions against popular opinion.
- Reach out to people you don’t know well; they are also the Savior’s sheep.
Recommended Posts
- How Will the Meek Inherit the Earth?
- What Can We Learn from the Lord’s Prayer?
- What Are “Vain Repetitions,” and Why Should We Avoid Them?
- What Is the Meaning of the Phrase “Sufficient Is the Day Unto the Evil Thereof?”
Blog Posts – October 1-6
Mourning
Jesus said, “Blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Mourning is an expression of love. When we open our hearts to others, we feel their sorrow, and we miss them when they are gone. Mourning is an integral part of love.
Founded Upon a Rock
Both the Savior and Helaman taught us to build our lives on a solid foundation. We will all experience storms, but if we our foundation is securely connected to Jesus Christ, we will be better positioned to withstand them.
Treasures, Rewards, and a Singular Focus
What you want determines what you seek. What you seek determines what you find. What you find determines what you will become. A key theme of the Savior’s Sermon on the Mount is the importance of prioritizing eternal treasures and avoiding distractions.
The Words We Pray
We never have to clarify anything to God—He already knows what we’re trying to say. But we may need to clarify for ourselves. Asking the right question can be a prerequisite for receiving and understanding the answer. God can help us know what to pray for.
Fulfill vs. Destroy
Jesus didn’t come to destroy the law; He came to fulfill it. He said that the law, His covenants, and all prophecies will be completely fulfilled. As His disciples, we need to emulate that conscientiousness as we strive to fulfill His law with His help.
Not Lost
Jesus said he was going to visit the “lost tribes,” but He quickly added, “They are not lost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.” When we feel misplaced, neglected, or disoriented, we can remember that we are not lost to God.
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