3 Nephi 12

These three chapters comprise what is known in the Bible as Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Most of the text in Chapters 12, 13, and 14 is identical, word for word, with the corresponding chapters of Matthew. What differences there are, are mostly minor word substitutions, slight rephrasings, and added introductory phrases. The message that is conveyed in these chapters of the Third Book of Nephi is not significantly different than the Sermon on the Mount found in the Bible. Chapter 12, The Third Book of Nephi, is 78% identical, word for word, to Matthew, Chapter 5. Chapter 13, The Third Book of Nephi, is 92% identical, word for word, to Matthew, Chapter 6. Chapter 14, The Third Book of Nephi, is 95% identical, word for word, to Matthew, Chapter 7. Because the Sermon on the Mount is such a pivotal part of both the New Testament and The Book of Mormon, text found in The Book of Mormon that is not present in the New Testament is italicized.

After Jesus Christ had spoken to Nephi and the other eleven men whom he had chosen to receive his power and authority, he stretched out his hand to the Nephite crowd.

“You will be blessed if you listen to the words of these twelve men whom I have chosen from among you,” said Jesus Christ to the crowd. “They will be your servants. I have authorized them to minister to you, and I have given them the power to baptize you with water. After you are baptized with water, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost. Those of you who believe in me, and are baptized, are blessed. After that you will have seen me and know that I am. But even more blessed will be those who believe your words after you testify to them that you have seen and known me. Those who believe your words and become baptized in humility will also be visited by fire and blessed by the Holy Ghost. They too will receive a remission of their sins.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit who come to me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are all of those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are all of those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled with the Holy Ghost. Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy. Blessed are all the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are all the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are all of those who are persecuted in my name, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are all of those who men revile and persecute, and about whom all manner of evil things are falsely said because of me. Be joyful and glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. Remember that the prophets who came before you were persecuted also.

“You people are the salt of the earth, but if you lose your savor how can the earth be salted? The salt will become good for nothing, except to be cast out and be trampled underfoot. You are the light of your people, like a city that is built on a hill and cannot be hidden. Do men light a candle and hide it under a basket? No, they put it on a candlestick so that it shines light throughout the house. So let your light shine for all people, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

“I have not come to destroy the law or the prophecies. I have come to fulfill them. Not one bit of the law has been rescinded, but through me these laws and prophecies are fulfilled. I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father. You must believe in me, repent your sins, and come to me with a broken heart and a repentant spirit. You have the commandments before you and can see that the law is fulfilled. Come unto me and be saved. Unless you keep my commandments you may not enter the kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard it said, and seen it written since ancient times, that you should not kill, and that whoever did kill would be in danger of the judgment of God. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother will be in danger of God’s judgment. And whoever speaks to his brother with contempt will be in danger of judgment. Whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be in danger of hell fire. If you come to me, or want to come to me, and remember that your brother stands against you, seek him out first and reconcile yourself with him. Then come to me with a clean heart, and I will receive you. If you have adversarial relations with others, get them out of the way before you find yourself imprisoned. If you owe money to others, pay them back. If you are imprisoned for your debts how can you repay them?

“It has been written since ancient times that you must not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whoever looks on a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart. It is my commandment that you let none of these things enter into your heart. It is better that you should deny these things to yourselves than to be cast into hell for them.

“It has been written that whoever wants to dismiss his wife should give her written papers of divorce. But I say to you that whoever dismisses his wife, except for the reason of adultery, causes her to be an adulterer. Furthermore, whoever marries a divorced woman is also an adulterer.

“It is written that you should not swear, but also that you should honor your oaths to God. I say that you should not swear at all, not by heaven, because it is God’s throne, or by the earth, because it is his footstool. You shouldn’t swear by your own head because you cannot change the color of any of your hairs. Let your promises be simple. Say yes, or say no. To swear beyond your promised word is evil.

“It has been written that revenge should take the form of an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. I say to you that you should not resist evil. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also. If someone takes you to court for your coat, give him your shirt as well. If he compels you to go a mile, go two miles with him. Give people what they ask for, and don’t turn away from those who wish to borrow.

“It is written that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you that you should also love your enemies. Bless those who curse you, do good to those that hate you, and pray for those who treat you badly or persecute you. By doing this you become the children of my Father in heaven, for he makes the sun rise on evil and on good.

“Those things which have been the law since ancient times are in me fulfilled. Old ways have passed and new ways have arrived. I want you to be as perfect as I am, and as perfect as your Father in heaven is.”