Prophetic Commentary on Matthew 5

N.T. #8.   Matthew 5:  “A More Excellent Way”

“The Sermon on the Mount, including the Beatitudes, was delivered to ... the Twelve Apostles [and to others] who had been baptized and were seeking” to follow the Savior (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah 2:127).

“Blessedness is … higher than happiness”(Elder Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye In Holy Places, 342).

“How do the teachings in [Matthew 5] help us ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in Him?’” (New Testament: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 33, emphasis added.)

vs. 3 “The phrase ‘the poor in spirit’ is a very literal translation of the Greek ... The [modern] reader tends to interpret ‘poor in spirit’ in terms of the phrase ‘in poor spirits’—in other words, ‘blessed are the depressed.’ Yet if depression were enough to make the kingdom of heaven, we would have all probably qualified at some time or other.” (Royal Skousen, Brigham Young University Studies 26 [4]:9.) “The poor in spirit … means those who are spiritually needy” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 200).

vs. 4  “To mourn, as the Master here would teach, one must feel a ‘godly sorrow that worketh repentance’”(Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 201; see also Elder Royden G. Derrick, April 1977 & 1989 Conference Report).

vs. 6  “Did you ever hunger for food or thirst for water when just a crust of stale bread or a sip of tepid water to ease the pangs that distressed you would seem to be the most prized of all possessions? If you have so hungered, then you may begin to understand how [Jesus] meant we should hunger and thirst after righteousness.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 202.)

vs. 7  “The Lord will judge with the same measure meted out by us. If we are harsh, we should not expect other than harshness. If we are merciful with those who injure us, He will be merciful with us in our errors. If we are unforgiving He will leave us weltering in our sins.”(Elder Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, 267.)

vs. 8  “Purity of heart means perfection” (Elder Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, 112).

vs. 20  “Jesus … was not content with the old levels of concept and conduct. He wanted [us] to rise to nobler heights” (Elder Marion D. Hanks, April 1992 Conference Report).

vs. 22  “[A]nger is a thought sin” (Elder Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, 112; see also Elder Neal A. Maxwell, We Talk of Christ, 146). “We cannot have the companionship of the Holy Ghost … if we are angry” (Elder Dallin H. Oakes, March 1997 Ensign, 9). “[T]he Holy Ghost … cannot be with us if we are angry” (Elder Robert D. Hales, October 2003 CR). “To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It is our choice.” (President Thomas S. Monson, Oct 2009 CR.)

vs. 25  “If we would but hearken to that one doctrine of Christ … ‘agree with thine adversary quickly’ … how much better we would be” (President Joseph F. Smith).