In comparing 3 Nephi 12 with Matthew 5, you discover there
are some omissions from the Bible that are precious and important. Let’s see if I can make a bullet list:
- Thinking lustful thoughts constitute adultery! (3 Nephi 12:28)
- If a man divorces for “cause of fornication”, he causes his wife to commit adultery. (v32) I’m not so certain I want to tackle this one.
- Swearing – Swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool; . . . by thy head, etc. (v34-37)
- Gone are the days of “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”. The Book of Mormon makes it clear we are to forgive those who offend us. (v38-44) Love your enemies. Why? “That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good.” (v45) The Lord loves all His children and we need to do so as well.
- Old things were fulfilled in Christ. This means instead of blood sacrifice, we sacrifice our old self - our sins and imperfections and become perfect, even as our Father in heaven is perfect.
Controlling our thoughts, swearing, forgiving and making
ourselves new have been omitted from the Bible.
This means we not only forgive those who ask for our forgiveness, but
those who didn’t as well. Christ set the
perfect example for this as he hung on the cross. Certainly none of the crucifiers were asking
for forgiveness, though he gave it freely.
Why? He knew more about them and
therefore was able. We must have the
faith necessary to realize we are all God’s children and as that, we have the
potential to become as He is. It
matters.
Sometimes I am the recipient of hurtful words. Do I quickly exercise this commandment? I try to.
I must admit it is not the easiest thing to do, however. Forgiving is easy enough; forgetting is muh
harder. This is one I must continue to
work on.
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