The Beatitudes

Daniel H. Ludlow

The Beatitudes in the Book of Mormon are listed in the same order as those in the New Testament. However, some significant differences of wording should be noted:

1. Each Beatitude in the Book of Mormon begins with a conjunction that relates it to the previous Beatitude and helps to relate all of the Beatitudes to the introductory statement of the Savior.

2. The Beatitude that reads in the New Testament "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" is clarified in the Book of Mormon: "Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (3 Nephi 12:3. Italics added.) The word yea and the clause "who come unto me" relate this Beatitude to the conditional introductory statement of the Savior.

3. The Beatitude that reads in the New Testament "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" is clarified in the Book of Mormon as follows: "And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." (3 Nephi 12:6. Italics added.)

4. The Beatitude in the New Testament that reads "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" has been clarified in the Book of Mormon: "And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (3 Nephi 12:10. Italics added.)

A Companion To Your Study of The Book of Mormon

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