3 Nephi 12:13-20

After the Savior taught the beatitudes, he continues the Sermon at the Temple.

Being an Example to the People (vs. 13-16)

3 Nephi 12:13-16

Matthew 5:13-16

13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted?  The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. The Savior goes beyond saying we are the salt of the earth.  He tells us He “give[s] unto you.”  This is a gift from God. 14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. As with the salt, being the light is a gift from God.  The follower of Christ is to be a light “to this people” rather than the world. 15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel?  Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; The wording between the two verses is slightly different, but the meaning remains the same. 16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. The emphasis is on the people.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

39 When men are called unto mine everlasting gospel, and covenant with an everlasting covenant, they are accounted as the salt of the earth and the savor of men;

40 They are called to be the savor of men; therefore, if that salt of the earth lose its savor, behold, it is thenceforth good for nothing only to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.

D&C 101:39 - 40

9 For they were set to be a light unto the world, and to be the saviors of men;

10 And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, and is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.

D&C 103:9 - 10

Christ Fulfills the Law (vs. 17-20)

3 Nephi 12:17-20

Matthew 5:17-20

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets.  I am not come to destroy but to fulfil; 18 For verily I say unto you, one jot nor one tittle hath not passed away from the law, but in me it hath all been fulfilled. The Savior emphasizes that, through Him, “hath all been fulfilled.” 19 And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my* Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled. The Savior tells us that the law and commandments He had given come from the Father.  We are now to repent of our sins and come to Him “with a broken heart and contrite spirit.”  The commandments are before them and the law is fulfilled. 20 Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. We are to come unto the Savior to be saved.  We must keep the commandments He commanded the people.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. This verse is left out of the Sermon at the Temple. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. The scribes and the Pharisees would have meant nothing to the Nephites.