The Beattitudes - Some Thoughts

I was thinking about Matthew chapter 5 today and a couple questions came to mind that I thought I’d post.. The questions are these:

Is doing what is socially acceptable righteous?

Are doing the works of righteousness the same thing as being righteous?

My thoughts were on the Savior’s life and this beautiful sermon of the beatitudes in Matthew 5. 

Was John the Baptist socially acceptable? How about Noah, Enoch, Lehi, Samuel the Lamanite? 

Jesus taught that blessed are the peacemakers. How did He go about establishing peace? Did He do all things for peace’s sake, or rather, did He do all things for truth’s sake, and as everyone discovers and embraces ALL truth then He knew that it would ultimately lead to true peace?

I wonder when I see His full life before me more perfectly what the full Christ will BECOME for me. He was meek and lowly yet He stood up to all the false beliefs and traditions of the society He lived in. When they falsely accused, misunderstood and misrepresented Him, He truly loved them and had compassion upon them because they knew not what they did.

Truly, Jesus is the answer. I pray for strength and faith to be more like Him. I’m so grateful for Him. I fall at His feet before Him. He has saved me from my sins and I pray for strength to give away all my sins that I might come to know Him more perfectly. Truly, He is the ONE! He is the WAY!

A Witness for Christ

I read JST John 1:19 recently and the Lord taught me some truths that I’m following now.

Here is the verse: “And no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son; for except it is through him no man can be saved.”

I have come to know my Savior, Jesus Christ. I believed scriptures like Doctrine and Covenants 93:1 and Doctrine and Covenants 88:68 and went to the Lord to receive that witness. I believed His word and He delivered the promised blessing over 20 years ago to me. I witness that He lives and that He condescends unto the children of men in power and great glory. His grace is sufficient as we strive to come unto Him. He is a rewarder of those that love Him and keep His commandments. I am not perfect but my heart is on Him. Deep peace and love come only in and through the power of the Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.

I write this witness and testimony that my children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. I hope that my testimony will encourage others to receive the same witness for themselves, that He lives!