These introductory remarks by the Savior provide an important doctrinal context for the Beatitudes. They set forth the important concept that the Beatitudes are given primarily for the Saints, for members of the Church of Jesus Christ who have come out of the world, put behind them the doings and desires of Babylon, received the gospel ordinances, accepted and received the Lord’s anointed servants, and committed themselves to Christ and his kingdom.
“Reformed Egyptian”
The plates may have been recorded in a type of shorthand Egyptian.“The Reformed Egyptian”
Regarding the nature of the language in which the plates were written (etched), as well as the manner of translation, see Commentary 1:19-20; see also 1 Nephi 1:2; Mosiah 1:4.