"It is perhaps safe to say that the Sermon on the Mount is the most quoted and the least understood of all the teachings of Jesus," wrote Daniel H. Ludlow in A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon.

"The translation of Matthew's account of this sermon in our present New Testament (Matthew 5-7) has caused many people to raise questions concerning the authenticity of the sermon. They ask such questions as the following:"Why did the Savior teach that people were better off being poor in spirit than not poor in spirit, or that they were more blessed mourning than not mourning? When he said `Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled,' with what are they to be filled: hunger, thirst, or righteousness? Also, why did He counsel the people to `take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on'? What if all people literally followed this admonition? Who would plant and harvest the crops, feed the children, manufacture the clothes, etc.? It is evident there is something wrong with the translation of the Sermon on the Mount in our present New Testament.

"When the resurrected Jesus Christ appeared to the Nephites, He gave them the same sermon. In fact, He specifically told the Nephites, `Behold, ye have heard the things which I have taught before I ascended to my Father.' (3 Ne. 15:1.) However, the account of this sermon in the Book of Mormon is much more complete and makes much more sense than the New Testament account. . . ."

Brother Ludlow noted that most Christians have a misconception as to the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount:

"They assume that this sermon was meant either for the whole world or for only the chosen disciples. However, the Book of Mormon and the Inspired Version of the Bible indicate the major parts of this sermon were intended for all those who were willing to accept Christ and keep His commandments."

Brother Ludlow pointed out that the Beatitudes in the Book of Mormon are listed in the same order as those in the New Testament. However, some significant differences of wording should be noted:

1. Each beatitude in the Book of Mormon begins with a conjunction that relates it to the previous beatitude and helps to relate all of the beatitudes to the introductory statement of the Savior.

2. The beatitude that reads in the New Testament "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" is clarified in the Book of Mormon, "`Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (3 Ne. 12:3; italics added.)

3. The beatitude that reads in the New Testament "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" is clarified in the Book of Mormon: "And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." (3 Ne. 12:6; italics added.)

4. The beatitude in the New Testament that reads "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" has been clarified in the Book of Mormon: "And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (3 Ne. 12:10; italics added.)

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Jesus set example for all:

Teach from the scriptures

"The greatest instructional session recorded in history took place while the resurrected Jesus taught His disciples in the Americas," wrote Kent P. Jackson in Studies in Scripture: Vol. 8 - Alma 30 to Moroni.

"It is instructive . . . to observe how Jesus taught His [NephiteT disciples. In His sermons He drew freely from the words He had inspired His earlier messengers to write, much more so than He had done in His mortal ministry in Palestine as far as we can tell from the New Testament. He frequently cited passages from the Hebrew scriptures and gave divine commentary to them. He also quoted entire chapters." (Compare 3 Ne. 22 with Isa. 54; 3 Ne. 24-25 with Mal. 3-4.)

"As the word of God revealed to prophets is precious, it is important that it be recorded properly, along with the fulfillment of things that God makes known. Jesus, noting the absence of some important information in the Nephite record, commanded that it be included. (3 Ne. 23:6-13.)

"The Savior taught from the scriptures, setting the example for all gospel teachers to follow. As Mormon reported, `he expounded all the scriptures in one.' " (3 Ne. 23:14; see also 3 Ne. 34:1; 26:1-2.)

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Scripture study required for preaching the gospel

In an October 1925 general conference address, President Heber J. Grant stated: "There is nothing that qualifies a man so much for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as to study the revelations that the Lord has seen fit to give us in our day."

Two significant reasons for studying the scriptures are:

1. They contain the plan that will lead every individual back into the presence of God. "The whole intent of the scriptures," explained Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council of the Twelve, "is one of establishing our relationship with God, our Father, and with His Son, our Savior, and with the eternal plans and purposes for each and all of us, and our relationships to life - and to one another also." (October 1959 general conference.)

2. They are received by inspiration. They provide a challenge by which that same spirit of inspiration may be communicated to individuals today. In a March 10, 1985, satellite broadcast on the scriptures, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency said: "I love these wonderful volumes, which set forth the word of the Lord - given for the guidance of our Father's sons and daughters. I love to read the scriptures, and I try to do so consistently and repeatedly. . . . [The] reading of the scriptures is not the pursuit of scholarship. Rather, it is a love affair with the word of the Lord and that of His prophets."

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, by Daniel H. Ludlow; Studies in Scripture, Vol. 8 - Alma 30 to Moroni, edited by Kent P. Jackson; text from address by President Gordon B. Hinckley, March 10, 1985, satellite broadcast on the scriptures.