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.
Alms
Jesus warns us not to "sound a trumpet" when we do good. Rather we should do our alms in secret. We can't always control the visibility of our service, but we can focus on the service and the recipient rather than how it might be percieved by others.
Hypocrite
A hypocrite is an actor, a person who is making decisions under a false identity. Jesus warned us against hypocrisy in giving, praying, fasting, and judging. We need to focus on real accomplishments, not appearances.
All These Things
Jesus promised that if we put the kingdom of God first, everything else that is needed will fall into place. Elder Uchtdorf explained that we can find more joy when we trust God to help us meet all of the demands on our time.
“All These Things Will I Give Thee”
Some things can't be measured in monetary terms, because they will outlast money itself. Jesus refused to worship Satan in exchange for all the kingdoms of the earth. On a smaller scale, Amulek refused to deny God in exchange for six onties of silver.
Nunc Dimittis
There is a serenity in knowing that our work is done, but there is also a calm assurance in the sense that we have more to do and that there will be enough time to do it. Simeon's confidence that he would see the Messiah and his contentment when that promise was fulfilled illustrate the calming influence of faith.
Sweet Is the Work
Based on: Psalm 92 Core message: Simplifying our service will increase our happiness. Related Book of Mormon passage: Alma 29:9
Letting Go
When I have met an immigrant tottering under a bundle which contained his all—looking like an enormous wen which had grown out of the nape of his neck—I have pitied him, not because that was his all, but because he had all that to carry. Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 163 It's a good idea not to... Continue Reading →
Glory
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.Psalm 24:9-10 What is glory? The word appears 225 times in the King James Version of the Old Testament,... Continue Reading →
“All These Things” – 3 Nephi 13:33
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior teaches a critical time-management principle using examples from nature: Birds find food without a lot of advance planning. Flowers look magnificent without focusing excessively on their own appearance. If God feeds and clothes them, then why do we dedicate so much time and energy to things outside... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 