How to get more out of Christ's sermon on the mount

The Sermon on the Mount has gone down through history as one of the greatest discourses of all time. But to be quite honest, I never really understood why. 

I know a lot of people would hate me for saying this, but I never really appreciated the Savior’s most famous discourse - I think it just seemed too…arbitrary. I used to regard the sermon as a bunch of random, unrelated pieces of good counsel to a nation of protocol-obsessed robots. 

But then all that changed one day in Institute. 

Side-note: stay in Institute, kids. 

This last semester, my class was Book of Mormon, part 2, and included in that curriculum is, of course, the Savior’s visit to the Nephites. When we got to chapter 12, where the sermon in question is contained, Brother Bingham mentioned something I found intensely fascinating! In his own studies, he had discovered that the Sermon on the Mount was a chiasmus. 

What is a chiasmus? It’s an ancient Jewish method of teaching and writing, almost poetic in structure. Its pattern goes something like this:

Topic A

           Topic B

                     Topic C

                     Topic C

           Topic B

Topic A

They speak on a variety of topics, and then re-address those same topics in reverse order, offering deeper insight or information. Some could be small like this one above, but were often deeply complex and extensive. 

Chiasmi occur multiple times in the Book of Mormon in a variety of lengths, ranging from one to two verses like the one found in Mosiah 3:18-19, to entire chapters like Alma 36 (one of the best chapters in the Book of Mormon, if you ask me). 

But I digress. 

The Sermon on the Mount is a chiasmus where the Beatitudes - “Blessed are the meek…,” etc. - are the first half, and then the rest of the sermon is counsel on how to be have the beatitudes!  

Let me explain.

So, you want to know what it means to be a peacemaker, but don’t know what the Savior meant by that? Well, you can just go to the section of the sermon that correlates to that particular beatitude, and voila!

Some of these, however, don't address how to have that beatitude, but instead explain the blessing. For example, 'blessed are those that mourn' does not address what it is to mourn, but rather how those that mourn will be comforted.  

1. Blessed are those who give heed unto the Twelve 

I    2. Blessed are the poor in spirit

I    I    3. Blessed are those that mourn

I    I    I    4. Blessed are the meek

I    I    I    I    5. Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness

I    I    I    I    I    6. Blessed are the merciful

I    I    I    I    I    I    7. Blessed are the pure in heart

I    I    I    I    I    I    I    8. Blessed are the peacemakers

I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    9. Blessed are they who are persecuted for Christ’s sake

I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    10. Blessed are ye if ye are reviled, and have evil spoken falsely of you 

I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I

I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    10. 3 Nephi 12:12-16

I    I    I    I    I    I    I    I    9. 3 Nephi 12:17-20

I    I    I    I    I    I    I    8. 3 Nephi 12:21-26

I    I    I    I    I    I    7. 3 Nephi 12:27-37

I    I    I    I    I    6. 3 Nephi 12:38-48

I    I    I    I    5. 3 Nephi 13:1-24

I    I    I    4. 3 Nephi 13:25 - 14:6

I    I    3. 3 Nephi 14:7-11

I    2. 3 Nephi 14:12-14

1. 3 Nephi 14:15-27

You’ll notice that some of the references are much lengthier than others. Chiasmi do not have to give equal attention to any particular topic; I suppose that the Savior felt that only two verses were sufficient for some, while twenty-four verses were needed for others.

And keep in mind that none of this is perfect! You may study it yourself and decide that other verses match better than the ones I’ve found. That’s okay - this is only meant to get you thinking and digging. Since this was the Savior’s priority sermon, it must be important to drink deeply from and understand. I feel like this structure allows us to implement it easier.

For example; in my life lately, I’ve felt like I was lacking in Spiritual companionship. Reading in the sermon, I noticed that those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” are promised the blessing of being “filled with the Holy Ghost.” 

Turning to 3 Nephi 13:1-24, I’ve reflected on the counsel therein, and found it to be true in my life; I’ve been able to unearth sins I didn’t realize I was committing, and have endeavored to change my attitude and motivation for certain activities, finding that the Holy Ghost has indeed, been a more constant companion as a result!

I invite you to read through the Sermon and ponder its teachings; as you do, you will find a blessing you are in need of, or a beatitude you are lacking in. Use this structure as a guide to help you change! I promise that it can, and that you will be better equipped to live the Savior’s teachings with direction. 

I testify that the scriptures are true, and that Christ lives. His gospel and teachings are the only pathway to peace and happiness in life! I share this testimony with you in His sacred name, the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Thanks for reading! I hope that this gave you some insight! God be with you til we meet again. 

Sincerely, 

Taylor, a dead missionary