The first lesson on the Sermon On The Mount https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-8-the-sermon-on-the-mount-a-more-excellent-way?lang=eng

1. The Sermon On The Mount: AThe Sermon On The Mount: A
More Excellent WayMore Excellent Way
Matthew 5Matthew 5

2. Objective:Objective:
• To encourage class members to come unto Christ byTo encourage class members to come unto Christ by
applying the principles he taught in the Sermon onapplying the principles he taught in the Sermon on
the Mount.the Mount.

3. Video: The BeatitudesVideo: The Beatitudes

4. BeatitudeBeatitude
• The word beatitude comes from the Latin beatus, which meansThe word beatitude comes from the Latin beatus, which means
fortunate, happy, or blessed (Matthew 5:3, footnote 3a).fortunate, happy, or blessed (Matthew 5:3, footnote 3a).
• Beatitudes in the Bible Dictionary:Beatitudes in the Bible Dictionary:
• Name given to certain declarations of blessedness in the Sermon onName given to certain declarations of blessedness in the Sermon on
the Mount (Matt. 5:3–11; Luke 6:20–22). They describe certain elementsthe Mount (Matt. 5:3–11; Luke 6:20–22). They describe certain elements
that go to form the refined and spiritual character, all of which will bethat go to form the refined and spiritual character, all of which will be
present whenever that character exists in its perfection. Rather thanpresent whenever that character exists in its perfection. Rather than
being isolated statements, the Beatitudes are interrelated andbeing isolated statements, the Beatitudes are interrelated and
progressive in their arrangement. A more comprehensive and accurateprogressive in their arrangement. A more comprehensive and accurate
listing is found in 3 Ne. 12:1–12, where a greater spiritual emphasis is listing is found in 3 Ne. 12:1–12, where a greater spiritual emphasis is
given. (The JST wording is similar to 3 Ne.) given. (The JST wording is similar to 3 Ne.)
• The Beatitudes could be considered a type of Patriarchal Blessing.The Beatitudes could be considered a type of Patriarchal Blessing.

5. Matthew 5:3Matthew 5:3
• 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.kingdom of heaven.
• What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? (To beWhat does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? (To be
humble; see footnote 3b. See also 3 Nephi 12:3.) Why humble; see footnote 3b. See also 3 Nephi 12:3.) Why
is it important that we be humble? How can weis it important that we be humble? How can we
become more humble?become more humble?

6. Matthew 5:4Matthew 5:4
• 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted.comforted.
• Matthew 5:4. What are some ways the Lord providesMatthew 5:4. What are some ways the Lord provides
for us to be comforted? (See John 14:26–27 andfor us to be comforted? (See John 14:26–27 and
Mosiah 18:8–9 for some examples.) How have youMosiah 18:8–9 for some examples.) How have you
been comforted in times of mourning?been comforted in times of mourning?

7. Matthew 5:5Matthew 5:5
• 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the
earth.earth.
• What does it mean to be meek? (To be gentle,What does it mean to be meek? (To be gentle,
forgiving, or benevolent; see footnote 5a.) How canforgiving, or benevolent; see footnote 5a.) How can
we develop meekness? (See Mosiah 3:19; Alma 7:23;we develop meekness? (See Mosiah 3:19; Alma 7:23;
13:28.)13:28.)
• Note the word "develop" above.Note the word "develop" above.

8. Matthew 5:6Matthew 5:6
• 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.righteousness: for they shall be filled.
• What did Jesus promise those who “hunger and thirstWhat did Jesus promise those who “hunger and thirst
after righteousness”? (See Matthew 5:6; 3 Nephi after righteousness”? (See Matthew 5:6; 3 Nephi
12:6.) What can we do to lift our appetites from the12:6.) What can we do to lift our appetites from the
things of the world to things of righteousness?things of the world to things of righteousness?

9. Matthew 5:7Matthew 5:7
• 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain
mercy.mercy.
• How can we show mercy to others? Why do we needHow can we show mercy to others? Why do we need
mercy from the Lord? (See Alma 42:13–15.)mercy from the Lord? (See Alma 42:13–15.)

10. Matthew 5:8Matthew 5:8
• 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see
God.God.
• What do you think it means to have a pure heart?What do you think it means to have a pure heart?
How can we purify our hearts? (See Helaman 3:35.)How can we purify our hearts? (See Helaman 3:35.)
Why must we have pure hearts if we are to see GodWhy must we have pure hearts if we are to see God
and dwell with him? (See Moses 6:57.)and dwell with him? (See Moses 6:57.)

11. Matthew 5:9Matthew 5:9
• 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God.called the children of God.
• How can we be peacemakers in our homes andHow can we be peacemakers in our homes and
communities?communities?

12. Matthew 5:10-12Matthew 5:10-12
• 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute
you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for myyou, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my
sake.sake.
• 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which wereheaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.before you.
• Why are righteous people sometimes persecuted? How shouldWhy are righteous people sometimes persecuted? How should
we respond to persecution? (See Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:35.)we respond to persecution? (See Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:35.)

13. Ye Are The Salt of The EarthYe Are The Salt of The Earth
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14. Matthew 5:13Matthew 5:13
• 13 ¶Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have13 ¶Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have
lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it islost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is
thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, andthenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and
to be trodden under foot of men.to be trodden under foot of men.

15. • Jesus said that his disciples are “the salt of theJesus said that his disciples are “the salt of the
earth” (Matthew 5:13; D&C 101:39). What are someearth” (Matthew 5:13; D&C 101:39). What are some
uses for salt?uses for salt?
• How can Latter-day Saints be “the salt of the earth”?How can Latter-day Saints be “the salt of the earth”?

16. D&C 103:9-10D&C 103:9-10
• 9 For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the9 For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the
saviors of men;saviors of men;
• 10 And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are10 And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are
as salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good foras salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for
nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
• What insights do these verses add about what it means to beWhat insights do these verses add about what it means to be
“the salt of the earth”?“the salt of the earth”?
• How can we be “the saviors of men”?How can we be “the saviors of men”?

17. The Light of TheThe Light of The
WorldWorld
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Pics4Learning. 1 Mar 2015Pics4Learning. 1 Mar 2015
<<http://pics.tech4learning.comhttp://pics.tech4learning.com>>

18. Matthew 5:14-16Matthew 5:14-16
• 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on
an hill cannot be hid.an hill cannot be hid.
• 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a
bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light untobushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto
all that are in the house.all that are in the house.
• 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which issee your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven.in heaven.

19. • How can Latter-day Saints be “the light of theHow can Latter-day Saints be “the light of the
world”? (Matthew 5:14; see also verse 16).world”? (Matthew 5:14; see also verse 16).
• What happens when a candle is placed “under aWhat happens when a candle is placed “under a
bushel”? (Matthew 5:15; note that a bushel is a largebushel”? (Matthew 5:15; note that a bushel is a large
basket).basket).
• How do we as Church members sometimes put ourHow do we as Church members sometimes put our
light under a bushel?light under a bushel?
• How can we let our light shine in a way that will leadHow can we let our light shine in a way that will lead
others to “glorify [our] Father … in heaven”? (Seeothers to “glorify [our] Father … in heaven”? (See
Matthew 5:16; 3 Nephi 18:24.) Matthew 5:16; 3 Nephi 18:24.)

20. Jesus And The Law of MosesJesus And The Law of Moses
Citation:Citation:
https://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-stories/chapter-19-the-ten-commandmenhttps://www.lds.org/manual/old-testament-stories/chapter-19-the-ten-commandmen

21. Video: The Higher LawVideo: The Higher Law

22. Matthew 5:17-18Matthew 5:17-18
• 17 ¶Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or17 ¶Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or
the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
• 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth
pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass frompass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from
the law, till all be fulfilled.the law, till all be fulfilled.

23. The Law of MosesThe Law of Moses
• The law of Moses had been “given to the children of Israel, … for they were aThe law of Moses had been “given to the children of Israel, … for they were a
stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord theirstiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their
God.” It was “a law of performances and of ordinances, … which [theGod.” It was “a law of performances and of ordinances, … which [the
Israelites] were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them inIsraelites] were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in
remembrance of God and their duty towards him” (Mosiah 13:29–30).remembrance of God and their duty towards him” (Mosiah 13:29–30).
• Those who understood the law “[looked] forward with steadfastness untoThose who understood the law “[looked] forward with steadfastness unto
Christ, until the law [was] fulfilled. For, for this end was the law given”Christ, until the law [was] fulfilled. For, for this end was the law given”
(2 Nephi 25:24–25). (2 Nephi 25:24–25).
• The Savior fulfilled the law of Moses when he atoned for our sins (AlmaThe Savior fulfilled the law of Moses when he atoned for our sins (Alma
34:13–16). After the Atonement, the people were no longer commanded to34:13–16). After the Atonement, the people were no longer commanded to
make animal sacrifices, which had been required as part of the law of Mosesmake animal sacrifices, which had been required as part of the law of Moses
to point to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Instead, the people wereto point to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Instead, the people were
commanded to “offer for a sacrifice … a broken heart and a contrite spirit”commanded to “offer for a sacrifice … a broken heart and a contrite spirit”
(3 Nephi 9:20; see also verse 19). (3 Nephi 9:20; see also verse 19).

25. One Final Thought...One Final Thought...
• 48.Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even48.Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even
as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
• How are we to understand the Savior’s commandHow are we to understand the Savior’s command
that we become perfect? (See Matthew 5:48, footnotethat we become perfect? (See Matthew 5:48, footnote
48b, which says that an alternate Greek translation of48b, which says that an alternate Greek translation of
the word perfect is “complete, finished, fullythe word perfect is “complete, finished, fully
developed.”)developed.”)
• Given this definition of perfect, what does this sayGiven this definition of perfect, what does this say
about our Patriarchal Blessings?about our Patriarchal Blessings?