Sermon on the Mount

  For our "Come Follow Me study" for the past two weeks, we have been studying Christ's Sermon on the Mount. That sermon is, arguably, the most important sermon ever given on this earth. It is so important, in fact, that Jesus gave it twice - once to the people overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and then again to the Nephites on this continent after his resurrection. Both accounts are identical, except for a few small changes in the second account.

The question was asked "What impact has studying the beatitudes had on your personal life?" Here is my answer:

By studying the Sermon on the Mount, I have come to realize that Christ shared these things because He loves us and He knows our potential. He knows that we are human and that we will make mistakes, but he also knows who we can become and he wants to lift us to higher heights. 

The Sermon on the Mount is a higher law. When Christ gave the sermon, he was trying to tell the Jews that the Law of Moses had been fulfilled through him and that they no longer needed to follow that law. He had a higher law for them to live.

I'm grateful for that higher law because it makes me want to do better and be better in the way I live my life. I want to pattern my life after the Savior. The Beatitudes are stepping stones to a life of endless happiness. I hope that I can be more meek,  more merciful, have a more pure heart, be a better peacemaker, and be willing to be persecuted for righteousness sake. We are promised a great reward in heaven for doing those things, plus a few others I didn't mention.

Christ has shown us the way to live our BEST lives. It's never too late to drop bad habits and pick up new ones that will put us on or keep us on the path of righteousness. For that, I am eternally grateful!