The Golden Rule

This week we're studying Matthew 6-7. The Savior teaches us in Matthew 7:12 to treat others as we would want to be treated: The Golden Rule. To help us ponder what this means, I looked at the covenant the Lamanites made when they accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ (Alma 24:18). This shows how peace and prosperity follow when we turn to the Lord, love one another above ourselves, and consider the impact of our actions on others.

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.  (Matthew 7:12)

And this they did, ... covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.  (Alma 24:18)

The Beatitudes

So much to ponder this week in Matthew 5 and Luke 6.  Reviewing the Beatitudes made me think of how grateful I am for the Savior whose teachings lead many millions around the world to do good, to show mercy, to make peace.

These beautiful verses remind me of the counsel in the Book of Mormon to do good and become children of Christ (Moroni 7:13, 19):

  13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

  19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

And of course, the Beatitudes (from Matthew 5):

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

But There Is a Resurrection

I began studying John chapter 2 for this week's Come, Follow Me section on John 2-4, and as I read about Christ prophesying that he would be resurrected after three days, I thought about all the teachings in the scriptures about resurrection, and how we will all be resurrected in some future day without any of the physical challenges we now deal with.  So this week, I'll be pondering one of those prophesies of the resurrection from Mosiah 16.

John 2:
 18 ¶ Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

Mosiah 16:
 8 But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
 9 He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

His Promises Are Sure

As we'll be studying Matthew 4 and Luke 4–5 this week, I was reading about Satan's efforts to tempt the Savior.  In Matthew 4, Satan promised the Savior all the kingdoms of the world.  Satan will make any promise to get his way, even if he can't (or won't) deliver.  It reminded me that we can always count on the Lord.  His promises are sure.  So this week, I'll be pondering Alma 37:16-17 which teaches that principle.

God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words.  For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers.  (Alma 37:16-17)

The false promises of Satan and those who follow his evil ways are also evident in the Book of Mormon.  Remember when a Lamanite army was lost and stumbled across the people of Alma and promised to free them if Alma told them the way home?  When Alma showed them the way, the Lamanites did not keep their promise (Mosiah 23:36-37):

36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites promised unto Alma and his brethren, that if they would show them the way which led to the land of Nephi that they would grant unto them their lives and their liberty.
37 But after Alma had shown them the way that led to the land of Nephi the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set guards round about the land of Helam, over Alma and his brethren.