Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes

In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge vowed “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” I am going to keep Christmas all the year by remembering my Savior and studying His life each week. Scrooge isn’t the only one who can make a change for the better. I can and you can. Elder Richard G. Scott promised, “The best way to make a permanent change for good is to make Jesus Christ your model and His teachings your guide for life” (“He Lives! All Glory to His Name!”). Please join me and invite your family and friends to join us in keeping Christmas all the year.

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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 be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:1-16.)

Points to Ponder:
  1. Beatitude derives from the Latin beatus which means to bless or make happy. How has practicing a beatitude blessed your life or made you happier?
  2. Attitude refers to our manner of thinking and being as well as our manner of acting and doing. Many of us make and follow “to do” lists, but when was the list time you created a “to be” list. Who and what are you going “to be” today?
  3. How are you being a light to the world?
  4. How can you make more peace in your world and the world around you?

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