3 Nephi 14, Part II (1-12)

Unlike 3 Nephi 12 & 13, the message in chapter 14 follows Matthew 7, with a few minor changes.

The Savior had been speaking to the Nephite Twelve. He returns His attention to the multitude and continues the Sermon at the Temple.

They are told not to judge others. However they judge, when they are judge, they will be judged by this standard.[1]

“To judge, or not to judge—is that the question? The seemingly contradictory uses of the word judge in the Book of Mormon can be confusing. In 3 Nephi 14:1 the Savior says, ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged.’ Yet Moroni 7:15 says that ‘it is given unto you to judge.’ Fortunately, Moroni 7:18 clarifies the concept of judging: ‘Seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.’ The real question seems to be whether we judge rightfully or wrongfully.”[2]

When dealing with people, we should not look at a person’s weaknesses. Remember, we have our own weaknesses. We should worry about ourselves before worrying about anyone else. To do otherwise would make us a hypocrite.

The Savior warns the multitude not to share sacred and holy things with others. These people could very well mock things you believe are holy. We see this today in the world. Opponents of the Church mock our Temple ceremony, something we hold very sacred. Many in the world mock those who believe in Christ. They, too, mock thing Christians, Muslims, etc. hold sacred and holy.

Keep sacred things holy by sharing them with very few.

“Look back to 3 Nephi 14:6 … That is a very brutal-sounding verse. I am going to turn now, though it reads here basically as it does in the King James Version, to the Joseph Smith Translation on this passage, Matthew 7:9—11, because I think it is a wonderful addition to our understanding; it reads:

‘Go ye unto the world, saying unto all, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you [Notice, this that is added by the Prophet]. And the mysteries of the kingdom ye shall keep within yourselves; for it is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet. For the world cannot receive that which ye, yourselves, are not able to bear [That is interesting. How can the world handle that which you don't even handle well? it is saying]; wherefore ye shall not give your pearls unto them, lest they turn again and rend you.’

“The same concept comes through in Alma 12:9, where Alma says, ‘It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him’ (that is, only as the Spirit of the Lord tells them to).”[3]

If we desire to know something, we are to ask the Lord. Those that seek truth will find it. Of course, we have to actively seek truth and pray with a true desire to know the truth.

“Alma’s call for us to desire to believe and to ‘give place’ in our hearts for the Savior’s words reminds us that belief and faith require our personal choice and action. We must ‘awake and arouse [our] faculties.’ We ask before it is given unto us; we seek before we find; we knock before it is opened unto us. We are then given this promise: ‘For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.’”[4]

He then refers to us giving good gifts to our children.  If they ask for bread, we won’t give them a stone; if they ask for fish, we won’t give them a serpent. 

He then likens us to the Father.  He tells us if we, being evil, will do all we can for our children, “how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (3 Nephi 14:9).

He repeats the Golden Rule – “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets” (3 Nephi 14:12). “Second, he then went on to repeat, ‘I do not destroy the prophets’ (15:6), and to reconfirm, ‘this is the law and the prophets’ (15:10). Here he used words that quote and refer back to 3 Nephi 12:17 (‘I am not come to destroy’) and 3 Nephi 14:12 (‘this is the law and the prophets’).”[5]

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[1] Judge not unrighteously that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgement. (JST Matthew 7:1-2).

[2] What’s in a Word? Cynthia L. Hallen, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10/2 (2001): 62

[3] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 2, Robert L. Millet, Maxwell Institute website.

[4] Choose to Believe, Elder L. Whitney Clayton, April 2015 General Conference.

[5] Worthy of Another Look: Reusages of the Words of Christ, John W. Welch, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 22/1 (2013): 65.

3 Nephi 14, Part I

The Savior ends His Sermon at the Temple in 3 Nephi 14. Let’s begin by comparing Matthew 7 and 3 Nephi 14 side-by-side.

Matthew 7:1-29

3 Nephi 14:1-27

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And[1] why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam [The Greek word refers to a wooden beam used in constructing houses] that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. 6 Give[2] not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 7 Ask,[3] and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil [GR although you are wicked], know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit [The Greek word carries the meaning of beautiful, precious fruit without blemish]; but a corrupt [GR decayed, rotten, stale] tree bringeth forth evil [GR bad, spoiled, degenerate] fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.[4] 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto [GR he will resemble] a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended[5] these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

1 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he turned again to the multitude, and did open his mouth unto them again, saying: Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand— 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

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[1] 4 And again, ye shall say unto them, Why is it that thou beholdest the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

5 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and canst not behold a beam in thine own eye?6 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Beholdest thou the scribes, and the Pharisees, and the priests, and the Levites? They teach in their synagogues, but do not observe the law, nor the commandments; and all have gone out of the way, and are under sin.7 Go thou and say unto them, Why teach ye men the law and the commandments, when ye yourselves are the children of corruption?

8 Say unto them, Ye hypocrites, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. (JST, Matthew 7:4-8).

[2] 9 Go ye into the world, saying unto all, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you.

10 And the mysteries of the kingdom ye shall keep within yourselves; for it is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet.

11 For the world cannot receive that which ye, yourselves, are not able to bear; wherefore ye shall not give your pearls unto them, lest they turn again and rend you. (JST Matthew 7:9-11)

[3] 12 Say unto them, Ask of God; ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

13 For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

14 And then said his disciples unto him, They will say unto us, We ourselves are righteous, and need not that any man should teach us. God, we know, heard Moses and some of the prophets; but us he will not hear.

15 And they will say, We have the law for our salvation, and that is sufficient for us.

16 Then Jesus answered, and said unto his disciples, Thus shall ye say unto them,

17 What man among you, having a son, and he shall be standing out, and shall say, Father, open thy house that I may come in and sup with thee, will not say, Come in, my son; for mine is thine, and thine is mine? (JST Matthew 7:12-17).

[4] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [For the day soon cometh, that men shall come before me to judgement to be judged according to their works.] (JST Matthew 7: 30-31).

[5] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended [the saying with his disciples, the people] were astonished at his doctrine: ((JST Matthew 7:36).

3 Nephi 13, Part IV (25-34)

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

25 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

In verse 25, the Savior included additional instruction.  After speaking to the congregation, He turned and spoke to the Twelve.  He told them to remember His words.  He reminded them they had been chosen to look after and teach the Nephites.

He continued instructing them, telling them not to be concerned with their physical needs. 

“The Matthew account has Jesus telling the multitude to take no thought for their physical provisions. This seems in conflict with good sense and not in harmony with other words of the Master. In the Book of Mormon account, we read that Jesus turned from the multitude, or the general audience, before he gave these particular instructions and ‘looked upon the Twelve whom he had chosen’ (3 Nephi 13:25). The meaning then becomes clear: those who were to devote themselves to full-time service, as the presiding twelve, would have their daily needs taken care of by the Lord whom they served.”[1]

“[The Savior] speaks to the Nephite Twelve, but he also speaks to a multitude. One of the very gentle evidences of the truthfulness of this record, in my mind, is the fact that I just don't believe Joseph Smith would have known, at that early age in his ministry, when to break the record and have Jesus turn from the Twelve, by saying, ‘And then he turned to the multitude and said . . .’ And it's so appropriate, as we’ll see. There are times when the message is for everybody, and there are times when it is just for the Twelve. An illustration that we probably won't cover in depth is the passage, ‘Take ye no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink’ (3 Nephi 13:25; cf. D&C 84:81). The principle is true for all of us, but it is a specific charge for the apostles and is so designated in the New Testament and in the Book of Mormon.”[2]

He reminded them the fowls don’t sow, reap, nor gather into barns; yet, they are fed by the Lord.  “For have I not the fowls of heaven, and also the fish of the sea, and the beasts of the mountains? Have I not made the earth? Do I not hold the destinies of all the armies of the nations of the earth?” (D&C 117:6). They cannot add an inch to their height.

Don’t worry about their clothes.  Look at the lilies.  They only grow, nothing else.  Yet, their needs are met by the Lord.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

In verse 30, the Savior says the Lord clothes the grass and the field.  In Matthew 6:30, he reminds them this will happen lest they have little faith.  In 3 Nephi 13:30, the Lord reminds them He will clothe them, unless they have little faith.  In speaking to the Nephite Twelve, He assumes they have great faith.

The twelve were commanded to not worry about their needs.  What will they eat or drink? How will they obtain clothes?  He makes it clear the Father will provide for their needs.

Always seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness.  Don’t worry about tomorrow.  The Father will provide. 

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[1] The Book of Mormon, an Interpretive Guide to the New Testament, Dennis Largey, Reprinted by permission from The New Testament and the Latter-day Saints (Orem, Utah: Randall Book Company, 1987), 129—48.

[2] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 1, Robert L. Millet, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 13, Part III (14-25)

The Savior continues teaching the Nephites the requirement to forgive.  The only way we can be forgiven of our sins is if we forgive all who trespass against us.  The scriptures are clear.  “And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation” (Mosiah 26:31).

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee” (Psalms 86:5).

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22).

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).

“I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10).

Then, the Savior again emphasizes the importance of serving Him in secret and not before men.  When we fast, we should behave as if nothing is happening.  We are not to do anything that would cause one to know we are fasting.

Those that fast openly have received their reward.  Those that fast in secret will be blessed.

We are next told to not lay up worldly treasures.  They will become corrupted or stolen. Rather, we are to lay up treasures in heaven.  Wherever we find out treasures, our hearts will be there as well.

“And now my sons[1], behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers” (Helaman 5:8).

“But behold, ye have rejected the truth, and rebelled against your holy God; and even at this time, instead of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt, and where nothing can come which is unclean, ye are heaping up for yourselves wrath against the day of judgment” (Helaman 8:25).

The eye is the light of the body.  Our eye must be directed towards Him, and our bodies will be filled with light. “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things” (D&C 88:67). If the eye is evil, you will be filled with great darkness.

We cannot serve two masters.  We will love one or hate the other.  We cannot serve God and mammon.[2]

“And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.

“For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.

“Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him.

“And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him; therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works” (Alma 5:39-42).

“When people try to save face with men, they can unwittingly lose face with God. Thinking one can please God and at the same time condone the disobedience of men isn’t neutrality but duplicity, or being two-faced or trying to “serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24; 3 Nephi 13:24)” (emphasis in original).[3]

“Let's look over in 3 Nephi 13. Here's the summary of the whole matter of motivation. It begins in verse 19. Let me just tell you a story before we read this. I was sitting in Salt Lake City in the home of a very dear friend only hours before I was to leave on a mission. This young man had married after coming home from his mission, and the way I knew him was he had been on a mission in Louisiana and was one of the finest missionaries I had ever known—maybe the most effective, deeply spiritual man I had ever known, and he still is. I had a few moments with him, and I simply said, ‘I have to leave soon. What counsel could you give me?’ Of all the things he could have said, he snapped right back with this. ‘You keep an eye single to the glory of God, and you will be successful.’ I thanked him and thought to myself that surely he could have said something more profound than that. Maybe he could have taught me how to find people more effectively. Surely he could have said something about how to teach with power. I wasn't out two days before I realized that what he said was the most centrally significant thing he could have said. Why we do what we do affects what we do and the outcomes. If people are constantly doing what they are doing for praise and applause, in the long run the outcome will not be as great. Our impact is not as great if we are not a clear, clean vessel. The Lord kind of gives the antidote to this sickness, beginning in verse 19.”[4]

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[1] Helaman₂ is speaking to his sons Lehi and Nephi.

[2]An Aramaic word meaning “riches,” personified in Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:9, 11, 13, Guide to the Scriptures, “mammon.”

[3] Which Way Do You Face?, Elder Lynn G. Robbins, October 2014 General Conference.

[4] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 2, Robert L. Millet, Maxwell Institute website.

3 Nephi 13, Part II (1-13)

As the Savior continues the Sermon at the Temple, He teaches the Nephites about the proper way to do alms. In verse 1, there is a minor change in wording.  Matthew 6:1 reads: “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.”  Compare this to 3 Nephi 13:1: 1 Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven.”

We are commanded to do our alms is secret. The Father sees all things and He will reward us.

As with alms, we are to pray in secret.  Don’t be like the hypocrites who make a big deal of their praying, making sure all know they are holy.  As with alms, those that make a big deal of their prayers have received their reward from man, not God.

We are to pray in secret, not using “vain repetitions.”  Our prayers are to come from our hearts, expressing the desires of our heart and soul.  The Father knows our needs.  We but need to ask Him.

“Think about this one. It says, ‘Use not vain repetitions.’ I think sometimes as we teach this in the Church, we place emphasis in the wrong place. I have heard people say that we should be careful that we don't have repetition. I don't think that is the problem. How many different ways can you bless the food, for instance? Do you have an original prayer every time you bless the food? If you do, I want to talk to you, because I don't. The issue is not the repetition. The issue is not the number of times you are going to pray. The issue is not how many times I am going to ask God to bless me with his Spirit (I will generally do that every time I pray). The issue is the vainness. Vain means ‘empty’ or ‘shallow,’ ‘impure,’ ‘having no substance.’

“Let me give you an analogy. A man is out in the water swimming and I am on the bank, and I see him begin to go under and hear him gulp, ‘Help!’ I look carefully and see that he's coming up again, and he yells, ‘Help!’ I see him go under the third time, and just before he does, he says, ‘Help!’ The odds are that I wouldn't say, ‘Well, there's no way I am going to help this guy. He couldn't be sincere. He said the same thing three times.’ We are kind of like the drowning man. There are only so many ways to ask the Lord for blessings. The issue is not repetition. The issue is the vainness, when what you say doesn't mean anything, when it is empty.”[1]

The Savior than begins to teach us to pray, saying the Lord’s Prayer.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye [IE It is in this manner you should pray]: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name [[GR Let thy name be sanctified]. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth [GR on earth], as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Comparing the two side-by-side, we see some significant differences between the two. The discussion in this section is based on an article by John Welch, The Lord’s Prayers.

The prayer consists of three “thy-petitions” and three “we-positions.”

The thy-petitions

·        Let thy name be hallowed.

We first ask the Lord’s name be hollowed.  We have examples of this in scripture.  The Savior prayed, “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again” (John 12:28) (emphasis mine).

God’s name is hallowed through Christ. “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” (John 17:5) (emphasis mine).

·        Let thy kingdom come.

How do we interpret this?  First, we experience this through the first four principles of the Gospel, faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

God’s kingdom on Earth is Zion.  Zion grows through missionary work. The Savior will rule during the Millennium when Satan is bound.

In the end, righteousness will bring His kingdom.

·        Let thy will be done.

In Gethsemane, the Savior made His submission to the Father’s will clear. “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39) (emphasis mine).

Earlier, He had taught, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30) (emphasis mine).

The we-petitions

·        Give us this day our daily bread

This has a number of meanings.  The first is the obvious; please provide us with the nourishment we need.

“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals [GR food].

“But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

“And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

“He said, Bring them hither to me.

“And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

“And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

“And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children” (Matthew 14:14-21).

Another though is it can refer to the Savior. He called Himself the bread of life. “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35) (emphasis mine).

“Thus the prayer may also ask that the substance of eternal life might be in our midst today; in other, words, it is a request that revelation of the word of God, like spiritual manna from heaven, will be found among us each day” (Welch).

                                                                                                     

·        Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors

This is conditional.  They only way we can find forgiveness is if we forgive others. “1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you” (D&C 82:1) (emphasis mine).

                                                                              

“I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:10) (emphasis mine).

“The clarification on forgiveness is supported by other statements of the Master. He said to His servants, ‘Inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.’ In other words, if one is to be forgiven, one must first forgive. The clarification on temptation is helpful, for surely we would not be led into temptation by Deity. The Lord said, ‘Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.’”[2]

“Forgiveness is the very reason God sent His Son, so let us rejoice in His offering to heal us all. The Savior’s Atonement is not just for those who need to repent; it is also for those who need to forgive. If you are having trouble forgiving another person or even yourself, ask God to help you. Forgiveness is a glorious, healing principle. We do not need to be a victim twice. We can forgive.”[3]

 

·        Let us not fall into temptation, but deliver us from evil

                                                                                   

The Lord will not lead us into temptation. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13) (emphasis mine).

We can do either good or evil.  If we choose good, we become instruments in the hands of the Lord.

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[1] The Doctrine of the Risen Christ: Part 2, Robert L. Millet, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] Lessons from the Lord’s Prayers, President Russell M. Nelson, April 2009 General Conference.

[3] The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness, Elder Kevin R. Duncan, April 2016 General Conference.

3 Nephi 13:1-34

The Sermon at the Temple continues. As with 3 Nephi 12, I will begin with a side-by-side comparison with Matthew 6:1-34.

Matthew 6:1-34

3 Nephi 13:1-34

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye [IE It is in this manner you should pray]: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name [[GR Let thy name be sanctified]. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth [GR on earth], as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.[1] 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have [receive] their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through [GR dig through (as an earthen wall)] and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25 Therefore[2] I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?[3] 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.[4] 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

1 Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven. 2 Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; 4 That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly. 5 And when thou prayest thou shalt not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 12 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 13 For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 14 For, if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. 16 Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. 25 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; 29 And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith. 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.

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[1] “And suffer us not to be lead into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (JST Matthew 6:14).

[2] “25 And, again, I say unto you, Go ye into the world, and care not for the world; for the world will hate you, and will persecute you, and will turn you out of their synagogues.

26 Nevertheless, ye shall go forth from house to house, teaching the people; and I will go before you.

27 And your heavenly Father will provide for you, whatsoever things ye need for food, what ye shall eat; and for raiment, what ye shall wear or put on” (JST Matthew 6:25-27).

[3] “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, How much more will he not provide for you, if ye are not of little faith?” (JST Matthew 6:34).

[4] “Wherefore, seek ye not the things of this world but seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (JST Matthew 6:38).