Why did Jesus begin the supreme sermon of all time with these eight statements? What was he trying to tell us? Did he have in mind something greater than the sum of the parts? We usually treat the Beatitudes as a laundry list of the desirable traits of a Christian or the qualities associated with taking upon ourselves the divine nature. What if Jesus intended them to be a set and listed in this particular order? Third Nephi adds eight words that help unlock the key to understanding the objective. This collection of sayings could influence our lives more effectively, personally, and intensely.

Richard C. Russell