The Book of Mormon
~AD 34

3 Nephi 13

Christ commands perfection. Alms should be given secretly. Prayer should be private. He teaches the Lord's Prayer and emphasizes forgiveness. Fasting should be done without public display. Lay up treasures in heaven, not earth. Christ tells the twelve not to worry about food or clothing—God will provide. Seek God's kingdom first.

Give in Secret

I want you to help the poor. But be careful—don’t do it in front of crowds to get their applause. If you do, you’ll get no reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t announce it like hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, hoping everyone will praise them. I’m telling you the truth: that applause is all the reward they’ll get. When you give, do it so quietly that your left hand doesn’t even know what your right hand is doing. Keep your giving secret. Your Father sees what you do in secret, and he’ll reward you.

Pray in Private

When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on street corners so everyone can see them praying. I’m telling you the truth: that’s all the reward they’ll get. When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in private. Your Father sees what you do in secret, and he’ll reward you.

When you pray, don’t babble on and on like people who don’t know God. They think they’ll be heard because they use a lot of words. Don’t be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask.

The Lord’s Prayer

So pray like this: 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And forgive us our wrongs, just as we forgive those who wrong us. Don’t let us be led into temptation, but rescue us from evil. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'

If you forgive others when they wrong you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father won’t forgive you either.

Fast Without Show

When you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites do. They make themselves look miserable so everyone will know they’re fasting. I’m telling you the truth: that’s all the reward they’ll get. When you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Don’t fast to impress people. Fast for your Father, who sees what you do in secret. He’ll reward you.

Treasures in Heaven

Don’t pile up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Instead, pile up treasures in heaven, where moths and rust can’t destroy them, and thieves can’t break in and steal. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

Your eye is like a lamp for your body. When your eye is clear and focused, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is clouded, your whole body is full of darkness. If the light inside you is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

No one can serve two masters. You’ll end up hating one and loving the other, or being devoted to one and despising the other. You can’t serve both God and money.

Don’t Worry

After Jesus said this, he looked at the twelve disciples he’d chosen and told them: 'Remember what I’ve just said. You’re the ones I’ve chosen to serve these people. So I’m telling you: don’t worry about your life—what you’ll eat or drink—or about your body and what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds. They don’t plant seeds or harvest crops or store food in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth far more than they are? Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying about it?

And why worry about clothes? Look at how the wildflowers grow. They don’t work or make clothing. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. So if God clothes the grass in the field—which is here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow—won’t he clothe you? You have so little faith.

So don’t worry and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' Your heavenly Father already knows you need all these things.

Put God’s kingdom and his righteousness first, and all these things will be given to you as well. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Influences

  • 13:1 — Matthew 6:1 (KJV)
    Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
  • 13:1 — Matthew 6:1 (KJV)
    Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
  • 13:2 — Matthew 6:2 (KJV)
    Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • 13:2 — Matthew 6:2 (KJV)
    Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • 13:3 — Matthew 6:3 (KJV)
    But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
  • 13:3 — Matthew 6:3 (KJV)
    But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
  • 13:4 — Matthew 6:4 (KJV)
    That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
  • 13:4 — Matthew 6:4 (KJV)
    That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
  • 13:5 — Matthew 6:5 (KJV)
    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • 13:5 — Matthew 6:5 (KJV)
    And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • 13:6 — Matthew 6:6 (KJV)
    But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
  • 13:6 — Matthew 6:6 (KJV)
    But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
  • 13:7 — Matthew 6:7 (KJV)
    But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
  • 13:7 — Matthew 6:7 (KJV)
    But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
  • 13:8 — Matthew 6:8 (KJV)
    Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
  • 13:8 — Matthew 6:8 (KJV)
    Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
  • 13:9 — Matthew 6:9 (KJV)
    After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  • 13:9 — Matthew 6:9 (KJV)
    After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
  • 13:10 — Matthew 6:10 (KJV)
    Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • 13:10 — Matthew 6:10 (KJV)
    Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • 13:11 — Matthew 6:11 (KJV)
    Give us this day our daily bread.
  • 13:11 — Matthew 6:12 (KJV)
    And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  • 13:12 — Matthew 6:12 (KJV)
    And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  • 13:12 — Matthew 6:13 (KJV)
    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • 13:13 — Matthew 6:13 (KJV)
    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • 13:13 — Matthew 6:13 (KJV)
    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
  • 13:14 — Matthew 6:14 (KJV)
    For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • 13:14 — Matthew 6:14 (KJV)
    For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • 13:15 — Matthew 6:15 (KJV)
    But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  • 13:15 — Matthew 6:15 (KJV)
    But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  • 13:16 — Matthew 6:16 (KJV)
    Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • 13:16 — Matthew 6:16 (KJV)
    Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • 13:17 — Matthew 6:17 (KJV)
    But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
  • 13:17 — Matthew 6:17 (KJV)
    But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
  • 13:18 — Matthew 6:18 (KJV)
    That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
  • 13:18 — Matthew 6:18 (KJV)
    That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
  • 13:19 — Matthew 6:19 (KJV)
    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • 13:19 — Matthew 6:19 (KJV)
    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • 13:20 — Matthew 6:20 (KJV)
    But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
  • 13:20 — Matthew 6:20 (KJV)
    But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
  • 13:21 — Matthew 6:21 (KJV)
    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
  • 13:21 — Matthew 6:21 (KJV)
    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
  • 13:22 — Matthew 6:22 (KJV)
    The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
  • 13:22 — Matthew 6:22 (KJV)
    The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
  • 13:23 — Matthew 6:23 (KJV)
    But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
  • 13:23 — Matthew 6:23 (KJV)
    But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
  • 13:24 — Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • 13:24 — Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • 13:25 — Matthew 6:25 (KJV)
    Therefore I say unto you, 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. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • 13:25 — Matthew 6:25 (KJV)
    Therefore I say unto you, 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. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • 13:26 — Matthew 6:26 (KJV)
    Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • 13:26 — Matthew 6:26 (KJV)
    Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • 13:27 — Matthew 6:27 (KJV)
    Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
  • 13:27 — Matthew 6:27 (KJV)
    Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
  • 13:28 — Matthew 6:28 (KJV)
    And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • 13:28 — Matthew 6:28 (KJV)
    And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • 13:29 — Matthew 6:29 (KJV)
    And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
  • 13:29 — Matthew 6:29 (KJV)
    And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
  • 13:30 — Matthew 6:30 (KJV)
    Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • 13:30 — Matthew 6:30 (KJV)
    Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
  • 13:31 — Matthew 6:31 (KJV)
    Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
  • 13:31 — Matthew 6:31 (KJV)
    Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
  • 13:32 — Matthew 6:32 (KJV)
    (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  • 13:32 — Matthew 6:32 (KJV)
    (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  • 13:33 — Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  • 13:33 — Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  • 13:34 — Matthew 6:34 (KJV)
    Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
  • 13:34 — Matthew 6:34 (KJV)
    Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
3 Nephi 123 Nephi 14