As I awoke in Cambridge, England, on the day when I was to address the Society for Christian Ethics there on the subject of Ethical Formation in the Sermon on the Mount, the hymn that filled my soul was “How Gentle God’s Commands.” I sang it to myself and felt with reassurance its application to the topic of my upcoming presentation.
After delivering the words in 3 Nephi 12–14, Jesus said, “Behold, I have given unto you the commandments” (3 Nephi 15:10). These were new (or renewed) commandments: “Old things are done away, and all things have become new” (3 Nephi 12:47). As you re-read 3 Nephi 12, count how many“commandments” you find. I recommend that you count each “beatitude,” each “charge,” each “wish of the Lord” and each “imperative” among the commandments.
- In applying these teachings of Jesus, think of each of them in your life in two contexts: (a) in an ordinary daily ethical setting, and (b) in a sacred temple context. For example, what does it mean in ordinary life to be "poor in spirit" or to "mourn" or to "hunger and thirst"? What do such things mean in a temple context?
- What is a "temple theme"? In chapter 12 alone, what does "obtaining mercy," "seeing God," or "being called the children of God" have to do with the temple? How are the following further elements especially at home in the temple: salt (used in sacrifices), light, candlestick (the menorah), commandments, unity (no ridicule), properly approaching the altar, chastity (see Leviticus 18 and 20), swearing oaths and vows, God’s throne, returning evil with good, praying for enemies, the rising sun, the opening of the windows of heaven, and "perfection"?
- Does 3 Nephi 12:16 justify "showing off," or must we let our light shine before others in a very certain way and for a particular purpose?
- Is there ever such a thing as "righteous anger" (compare Matthew 5:22 with 3 Nephi 12:2, where the excuse of having a "cause" is correctly not found)?
- Who has the obligation to initiate reconciliation with a brother or sister? (12:23)
- Should a follower of Christ ever go to court against a fellow saint either as a plaintiff or as a defendant? (12:25)
- Might using pornography already be akin to committing adultery physically? (12:28)
- What did Jesus think and teach about divorce? (12:31–32; compare Deuteronomy 24:1–4). Did He have all cases of civil divorce in mind, or does He have in mind here covenant marriages that involve God as a third partner unifying the husband and wife?
- What does it mean to "swear not at all"? (12:34). Is it ever proper to swear oaths by something external, which God doesn’t need? Or do we make our commitments to God by saying "Yes," or "No," and thereby give Him our pledge?
- How can we be like our Father in Heaven who makes "his sun to rise on the evil and on the good"? (12:45)
- Matthew 5:48 says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." 3 Nephi 12:48 says, "I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect." What do the differences here mean to you?
- How would you summarize, describe, or classify the contents of 3 Nephi 12? What adjectives, categories, or text-types come most satisfactorily to mind? Would you answer this question differently with respect to Matthew 5?
- How do the teachings in this chapter instruct and challenge all readers to live the gospel in its fullest sense? How can they teach us that we are not better than other people? How do they build fellowship among the Saints, loyalty in marriage, and going the second mile?
Further Reading
John W. Welch, “Temple Themes and Ethical Formation in the Sermon on the Mount,” Studies in Christian Ethics 22, no. 2 (2009): 148–60.
