3 Nephi 12 – The Sermon on the Mount, Part 1: Behavior of Disciples of Christ

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After calling twelve disciples and teaching them about baptism, Jesus addresses the multitude. First, He delivers the Sermon on the Mount, as found in Matthew 5-7, with some small variations.

In this first portion of the sermon, He teaches about the behavior expected of His disciples. They are expected to embody the characteristics listed in the Beatitudes, to share their light with others, and to act according to the principles which form the foundation of the law.

Chapter Outline

  1. The Beautitudes (v. 1-12)
  2. Let your light shine (v. 13-16)
  3. Principles behind commandments: murder, adultery, divorce, swearing, love (v. 17-48)

My Takeaways

  1. Work to develop Christlike attributes.
  2. Our influence may extend further than we realize as we are true to our discipleship.
  3. Jesus fulfilled the law by completing His mission, by converting prophecy into reality, and by distilling the law to its essential underlying principles.

Featured Blog Posts

The Discussion on the Mount

Jesus taught the principles in the Sermon on the Mount in a variety of settings and to a variety of audiences. He adapted His delivery to each audience. We can follow His example by slowing down and paying attention to our listeners while we teach.

Sermonettes on the Mount

Jesus taught principles from the Sermon on the Mount in multiple settings. Here are some principles He taught as the moral of a parable, in response to questions, or to counter criticism. We too can share His teachings in a variety of circumstances.

❖ The Beatitudes – 3 Nephi 12:1-12

Blessed – 3 Nephi 12:1-12

At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior lists eight qualities which will bring a person joy. This list is known as the Beatitudes, because the Latin word translated “blessed” is beati. This word—and the original Greek word makarios (μακάριος)—literally mean “happy,” but with a connotation of “having great reason to be…

More Blessed Are They Who Shall Believe in Your Words – 3 Nephi 12:1-2

1 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying:…

Poor in Spirit

The Greek word ptóchos (πτωχός) means literally one who crouches or cowers. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him. Are we spiritually poor but unaware of it? Have we not yet become ptóchos, crouching and seeking help from Him?

How Will the Meek Inherit the Earth?

Why do dishonest, unkind, and undisciplined people succeed in life? All around us, we see decent, hard-working people with more than their fair share of suffering, while people who should be penalized for their actions appear to get off scot-free. This temporary injustice has been a cause of consternation throughout history. King David warned his…

Peacemaking

Many of our efforts to make peace involve the people closest to us. We can work with confidence to calm anxieties and heal divisions within our families and among our friends. We can focus on the positive, love generously, and live mercifully.

Why Are We Blessed When We Are Reviled?

At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lists a number of unlikely scenarios in which we should consider ourselves fortunate. One of those goes like this: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and…

❖ Let your light shine – 3 Nephi 12:13-16

Salt

Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” Here are three lessons from this analogy: (1) A little bit of goodness goes a long way” (2) Don’t just fit in. Be true to your discipleship, even if it makes you stick out. (3) Keep focusing on eternity. It will help everyone around you be…

❖ Principles behind the commandments – 3 Nephi 12:17-48

How Did Jesus Fulfill the Law?

Jesus fulfilled the law in three ways: (1) by completing His mission, rendering the religious observances of the law of Moses obsolete, (2) by fulfilling scriptural prophecies, and (3) by clarifying the meaning and purpose of God’s commandments.

Taking up Our Cross

Many years before His crucifixion, Jesus used the imagery of the cross to describe the burden of discipleship: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24; see also Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23 In Joseph Smith’s revision of the Bible, the Savior adds the following explanation: “And now for a…

“Suffer None of These Things to Enter into Your Heart” – 3 Nephi 12:29

Near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, after sharing the Beatitudes and encouraging His disciples to let their light shine, Jesus gave six examples of commandments or traditions which the people had interpreted too narrowly. In all six cases, He encouraged them to expand their perspective and live according to a higher law.…

Givers

Adam Grant, a professor of organizational psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, has studied the affect of interpersonal styles on professional success. He divides people into three categories, according to how they approach interactions with others at work: Givers are willing to help others without expecting anything in return. Matchers help others selectively. They try…

“All Things Have Become New” – 3 Nephi 12:47

Clinging to the comfortable past is no way to live. The world around us is constantly changing, and we need to be prepared to face new challenges—and to enjoy new blessings—every day. In the version of the Sermon on the Mount which the Savior delivered on the American continent, He said, “Old things are done…

Why Did Jesus Tell Us to Be Perfect?

During His mortal ministry, the Savior gave this counsel: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This guidance is similar to an admonition in the book of Leviticus: “Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). When the Savior visited…

Old Testament Foundations

Like a Flint

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would “set [his] face like a flint” and would endure untold suffering without retaliation. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy, willingly enduring humiliation and violence at the end of His life.

Beauty for Ashes

A key characteristic of the Savior’s ministry was that He responded to evil with good. He expects the same from His disciples: “If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?”…

The Poor Among Men Shall Rejoice

After identifying a severe societal problem—rampant hypocrisy—Isaiah prophesies that God will address this issue by doing a “marvellous work” which will cause “the wisdom of [the] wise men [to] perish” (Isaiah 29:13-14, 2 Nephi 27:25-26). Included in this marvelous work will be the arrival of a “sealed book,” which will be rejected by the learned.…

Shine Forth

The Hebrew word or (אוֹר) means light. When used as a verb, it means to be light or to become light. Speaking to a future generation of Israelites who would be gathered home, Isaiah said: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 They could share light…

“The Pure in Heart…Shall See God”

King David asked the following soul-searching question: Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? Then, he provided the following answer: He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalm 24:3-4 The Savior taught the same principle as one of the Beautitudes: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they…

Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery

On Mount Sinai, the Lord commanded, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). The prophet Abinadi reiterated this commandment as he spoke to the priests of King Noah. (See Mosiah 13:22.) A number of years later, priests led by Alma denounced “adultery, and all manner of lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to…

New Testament Parallels

“Then Shall the Righteous Shine Forth”

Jesus and Alma both described the righteous in the resurrection “[shining] forth in the kingdom of God.” The Savior has also called on His disciples to shine forth today, so that the light we share can guide others to Him.

James and the Sermon on the Mount

At least 14 times in his epistle, James teaches principles found in the Sermon on the Mount. He never quotes from the sermon, but its influence is unmistakeable. He internalized the word of God and was therefore able to share it naturally and spontaneously.

Perfected Through Suffering

The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus was made perfect through suffering. How can a Being who was already flawless and divine become perfect? I don’t fully understand, but I do believe that our suffering is helping us become more complete.

He [or She] That Receiveth You…

Jesus said to His apostles, “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” Living apostles post to social media regularly. When we follow them and pay attention to their words, we honor the Savior who sent them.

Church History Connections

Peacemakers

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9, 3 Nephi 12:9). And the apostle Paul made this plea in his epistle to the Romans: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). The prophet Mormon applied that teaching to…

Be a Light

Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). To His disciples on the American continent, He phrased it as an imperative: “I give unto you to be the light of this people” (3 Nephi 12:14). God had previously given a similar message to the prophet Isaiah: I will also give thee for…

Between Him and Thee Alone

Some conversations are better kept private. Scripture teaches that correction should often be done “between him and thee alone,” increasing the chance it will be received with an open heart. Alma’s loving counsel to Corianton was both direct and inspiring. Even difficult messages can be framed in optimistic and respectful ways.

By the Hand of My Servant

When someone performs a priesthood responsibility, they act on behalf of the Savior. “I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant,” He said. When we receive such service, we should recognize the true source of the blessing: not the person performing the service, but Jesus Christ Himself.

All Posts Referencing 3 Nephi 12

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