#36 The Beatitudes

#36 The Beatitudes

Please first read: Matthew 5; JST Matthew 5; 3 Nephi 12

In the Beatitudes we have the very heart of the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

“Each of the Beatitudes represents a specific step in our orderly progression towards perfection. The Bible concludes the chapter on the Beatitudes with the words, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) (Elder Royden G. Derrick, General Conference April 1977)

Prophet Harold B. Lee:

Peter, James and John had recently returned to Peter’s home from the experience of being with the Savior on the Mount of Transfiguration. The Twelve now pose a question to Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus “called a little child to him, probably one of Peter’s children, and sat the child in the midst of them and then took it in his arms and said: “Verily I say unto you, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) President Lee expands on this theme and then addresses four of the Beatitudes that have to do with our individual selves, the living of our own personal lives, if we would be perfect and have the blessedness of inward joy.

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit. To be poor in spirit is to feel yourselves as the spiritually needy, ever dependent upon the Lord for your clothes, your food, and the air you breath, your health, your life; realizing that no day should pass without fervent prayer of thanksgiving, for guidance and forgiveness and strength sufficient for each day’s need.

Blessed are they that Mourn. To mourn, as the Master’s lesson here would teach, one must show that “godly sorrow that worketh repentance” and wins for the penitent a forgiveness of sins and forbids a return to the deed of which he mourns. You must be willing to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. (Mosiah 18:8-9)

Blesses are they that Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness. Did you ever hunger for food or thirst for water when just a crust of stale bread or a sip of tepid water to ease the pangs that distressed you would seem to be the most prized of all possessions? If you have then you have begun to understand how the Master meant we should hunger and thirst after righteousness.

Blessed are the Pure in Heart. If you would see God, you must be Pure. There is in Jewish writings the story of a man who saw an object in the distance that he thought was a beast. As it drew nearer he saw it was man. As the man got closer he saw it was his friend. You can see only that which you have eyes to see. Many saw Jesus only as the son of a carpenter. Only the righteous saw him as the Son of God. Only if we are the pure in heart will we see God.

President Lee then addresses the remaining four Beatitudes:

In order to gain entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven we must not only be good, but we are required to do good, and be good for something. These four have to do with our social relations with others. There are goals we need to set and strive to achieve as part of the plan of the Master’s Constitution for a Perfect Life.

Blessed are the Meek. Who are not easily provoked or irritated and are fore-bearing under injury or annoyance. They are strong, capable of self-mastery and maintain the courage of their moral convictions. While doing so they remain humble-minded and slow to anger. (Proverbs 16:32)

Blessed are the Merciful. Our salvation rests upon the mercy we show to others. Unkind and cruel words, or other acts of cruelty towards man or beast disqualify our claims for mercy in the day of judgement. Blessed are all who are merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the Peacemakers. They shall be called the Children of God. The troublemaker, the leader of the mob, the law-breaker, all are prompted by motives of evil and unless they desist will be known as the children of Satan rather than God. Withhold yourselves from him who would cause disquieting doubts by making light of sacred things, for he seeks not for peace but to spread confusion. That one who is quarrelsome or contentious and whose arguments are for other purposes than to resolve the truth, is violating a fundamental principle laid down by the Master that is essential in the building of a full rich life. “Peace and goodwill on earth” was the angel’s song that heralded the birth of the Prince of Peace.

Blessed are they which are Persecuted for Righteousness sake. To be persecuted in such a great cause where truth and virtue and honor are at stake is God-like. Always there have been martyrs to every great cause. The harm that may come from persecution is not from the persecution itself, but from the possible effect it may have upon the one persecuted. They may thereby be deterred in their zeal for the rightness of their cause. Much of that persecution comes from a lack of understanding, for men are prone to oppose that which they do not comprehend. Some of it comes from man’s intent upon evil. But whatever the cause, persecution seems to be so universal against those engaged in a righteous cause that the Master warns us: “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” 

Glenn R. McGettigan 

February 2015

References:

General Conference. April 1977. Derrick

“The Constitution for a Perfect Life.” Lee