Jesus Blesses His Disciples
After Jesus finished speaking to Nephi and the others he’d called—twelve in all, given the authority to baptize—he stretched out his hand toward the large crowd and called out: 'You’ll be blessed if you listen to these twelve I’ve chosen to serve you and minister to you. I’ve given them authority to baptize you with water. And after you’re baptized with water, I’ll baptize you with fire and the Holy Spirit. So you’re blessed if you believe in me and are baptized, now that you’ve seen me with your own eyes and know who I am.'
'And even more blessed are those who will believe your testimony—when you tell them you’ve seen me and know I’m real. They’ll be blessed when they trust your words, humble themselves completely, and are baptized. They’ll be filled with fire and the Holy Spirit, and their sins will be washed away.'
The Beatitudes
'Blessed are the humble, the ones who come to me empty-handed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.' 'Blessed are those who grieve, for they’ll be comforted.' 'Blessed are the gentle, for they’ll inherit the earth.' 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what’s right, for they’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit.' 'Blessed are the merciful, for they’ll receive mercy.' 'Blessed are those with pure hearts, for they’ll see God.' 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they’ll be called children of God.' 'Blessed are those who are persecuted for following me, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.' 'And you’re blessed when people mock you, attack you, and spread lies about you because of me.' 'When that happens, be filled with joy! Celebrate! Your reward in heaven will be great. Remember, the prophets who came before you were attacked the same way.'
Salt and Light
'Listen closely: I’m making you the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can you make it salty again? It’s worthless. All you can do is throw it out and let people walk on it.'
'I tell you truly: I’m making you the light for these people. A city built on a hill can’t be hidden.' 'No one lights a candle just to hide it under a basket. You put it on a stand so it lights up the whole house.' 'So let your light shine before these people. Let them see the good you do and give glory to your Father in heaven.'
The Law Fulfilled
'Don’t think I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy them but to fulfill them.' 'I tell you truly: every detail of the law has been fulfilled in me.' 'And look—I’ve given you my Father’s law and commandments: believe in me, turn from your sins, and come to me with a broken heart and humble spirit. You have the commandments before you. The law has been fulfilled.' 'So come to me and be saved. I tell you truly: unless you keep the commandments I’m giving you right now, you won’t enter the kingdom of heaven.'
A New Standard: Anger and Reconciliation
'You’ve heard the old command—it’s written before you: 'Don’t murder.' Anyone who murders will face God’s judgment.' 'But I tell you: anyone who’s angry with his brother will face judgment. Anyone who calls his brother worthless will face the council. Anyone who calls him a fool is in danger of hell itself.' 'So if you’re coming to me—or you want to come to me—and you remember your brother has something against you,' 'go to him first. Make things right between you. Then come to me with your whole heart, and I’ll receive you.' 'Make peace with your opponent quickly, while you’re still on the road together, before he drags you to court and you’re thrown in prison.' 'I tell you truly: you won’t get out of prison until you’ve paid the last senine. And while you’re locked up, can you pay even one senine? Truly, no.'
A New Standard: Purity of Heart
'The old law says: 'Don’t commit adultery.'' 'But I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart.' 'I’m giving you a command: don’t let any of these things into your heart.' 'It’s better to deny yourself these things—to take up your cross—than to be thrown into hell.'
On Marriage and Divorce
'It’s been written: 'Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'' 'But I tell you truly: anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual unfaithfulness, causes her to commit adultery. And whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.'
On Oaths and Honesty
'And it’s also written: 'Don’t break your oaths. Keep the promises you make to the Lord.'' 'But truly, I tell you: don’t make oaths at all. Don’t swear by heaven—it’s God’s throne.' 'Don’t swear by the earth—it’s his footstool.' 'And don’t swear by your own head, because you can’t turn even one hair black or white.' 'Just say yes or no. Anything more than that comes from evil.'
A New Way: Love Your Enemies
'It’s written: 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'' 'But I tell you: don’t fight back against evil. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer the other one too.' 'If someone sues you for your coat, give him your cloak as well.' 'If someone forces you to go one mile, go two.' 'Give to anyone who asks. Don’t turn away from those who want to borrow from you.' 'It’s also written: 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'' 'But I tell you: love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for those who mistreat you and attack you.' 'Then you’ll truly be children of your Father in heaven. He makes his sun rise on evil people and good people alike.'
'So the old ways—everything under the old law—have all been fulfilled in me.' 'The old has passed away. Everything has become new.' 'So I want you to be perfect, just as I am perfect—just as your Father in heaven is perfect.'
Influences
- 12:1 — John 18:1 (KJV)When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
- 12:1 — Matthew 10:5 (KJV)These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
- 12:1 — Matthew 3:11 (KJV)I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
- 12:1 — Matthew 3:11 (KJV)I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
- 12:1 — Matthew 18:6 (KJV)But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
- 12:2 — Matthew 3:11 (KJV)I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
- 12:2 — Luke 1:77 (KJV)To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
- 12:6 — Matthew 5:6 (KJV)Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- 12:6 — Matthew 5:6 (KJV)Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
- 12:10 — Matthew 5:10 (KJV)Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- 12:10 — Matthew 5:10 (KJV)Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- 12:11 — Matthew 5:11 (KJV)Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- 12:11 — Matthew 5:11 (KJV)Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- 12:12 — Matthew 5:12 (KJV)Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- 12:12 — Matthew 5:12 (KJV)Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- 12:13 — Matthew 5:13 (KJV)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.
- 12:13 — Matthew 5:13 (KJV)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.
- 12:14 — Matthew 5:14 (KJV)Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
- 12:14 — Matthew 5:14 (KJV)Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
- 12:15 — Matthew 5:15 (KJV)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.
- 12:15 — Matthew 5:15 (KJV)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.
- 12:16 — Matthew 5:16 (KJV)Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- 12:16 — Matthew 5:16 (KJV)Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- 12:17 — Matthew 5:17 (KJV)Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
- 12:17 — Matthew 5:17 (KJV)Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
- 12:18 — Matthew 5:18 (KJV)For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
- 12:18 — Matthew 5:18 (KJV)For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
- 12:19 — Matthew 5:19 (KJV)Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
- 12:20 — Matthew 5:20 (KJV)For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- 12:21 — Matthew 5:21 (KJV)Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
- 12:21 — Matthew 5:21 (KJV)Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
- 12:22 — Matthew 5:22 (KJV)But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
- 12:22 — Matthew 5:22 (KJV)But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
- 12:23 — Matthew 5:23 (KJV)Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
- 12:23 — Matthew 5:23 (KJV)Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
- 12:24 — Matthew 5:24 (KJV)Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
- 12:24 — Matthew 5:24 (KJV)Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
- 12:25 — Matthew 5:25 (KJV)Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
- 12:25 — Matthew 5:25 (KJV)Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
- 12:26 — Matthew 5:26 (KJV)Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
- 12:26 — Matthew 5:26 (KJV)Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
- 12:27 — Matthew 5:27 (KJV)Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
- 12:27 — Matthew 5:27 (KJV)Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
- 12:28 — Matthew 5:28 (KJV)But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
- 12:28 — Matthew 5:28 (KJV)But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
- 12:29 — Matthew 5:29 (KJV)And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
- 12:30 — Matthew 5:30 (KJV)And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
- 12:31 — Matthew 5:31 (KJV)It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
- 12:31 — Matthew 5:31 (KJV)It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
- 12:32 — Matthew 5:32 (KJV)But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
- 12:32 — Matthew 5:32 (KJV)But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
- 12:33 — Matthew 5:33 (KJV)Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
- 12:33 — Matthew 5:33 (KJV)Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
- 12:34 — Matthew 5:34 (KJV)But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
- 12:34 — Matthew 5:34 (KJV)But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
- 12:35 — Matthew 5:35 (KJV)Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
- 12:35 — Matthew 5:35 (KJV)Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
- 12:36 — Matthew 5:36 (KJV)Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
- 12:36 — Matthew 5:36 (KJV)Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
- 12:37 — Matthew 5:37 (KJV)But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
- 12:37 — Matthew 5:37 (KJV)But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
- 12:38 — Matthew 5:38 (KJV)Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
- 12:38 — Matthew 5:38 (KJV)Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
- 12:39 — Matthew 5:39 (KJV)But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 12:39 — Matthew 5:39 (KJV)But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 12:40 — Matthew 5:40 (KJV)And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
- 12:40 — Matthew 5:40 (KJV)And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
- 12:42 — Matthew 5:42 (KJV)Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
- 12:42 — Matthew 5:42 (KJV)Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
- 12:43 — Matthew 5:43 (KJV)Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
- 12:43 — Matthew 5:43 (KJV)Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
- 12:44 — Matthew 5:44 (KJV)But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- 12:44 — Matthew 5:44 (KJV)But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- 12:45 — Matthew 5:45 (KJV)That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
- 12:45 — Matthew 5:45 (KJV)That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
- 12:47 — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- 12:48 — Matthew 5:48 (KJV)Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
- 12:48 — Matthew 5:48 (KJV)Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.