We do not need Christ's help to try and be perfect. We need Christ to be perfect. Christ is our completing factor, and the only way we can obtain perfection.
In 3 Nephi 12, Christ speaks the Beatitudes to the Nephites. He first begins by giving us a gateway: listen to the prophets, believe and be baptized. Then, Christ explains the journey up the staircase to perfection and ultimate happiness. First, in verse 3 he says, "blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". We first must learn to recognize our wrong doings and repent. This then leads us to true repentance, coming unto the Lord, and to mourning. "Blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." As we come unto our Savior with a broken heart, we are blessed and comforted. Because we are then comforted and blessed, we are then more humble and willing to do His will: obtaining meekness. When we are then more meek and willing to do His will, we move up to the next step of the staircase: taking action. We want to seek His will. "Blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost". When we are doing the right things, and seeking to do His will, we have a softened heart and are more able to have the Spirit with us. As we are progressing up this staircase, it is important that we are merciful, which is the next beatitude that Christ teaches. People of all walks of life are progressing up the staircase and are on different levels than we are. As we are taking action and seeking to do the right thing, it is important that we do not judge, for if we begin to judge those behind us on the stairs, we will eventually start heading the direction we are looking: backward down the stairs. So "blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Christ is already at the top of the stairs, yet He never judges us; He maintains who He is and walks down to where we are, walking with us and helping us as we climb up the stairs. After we can be merciful to one another, we shall be "pure in heart, for they shall see God". After we can be pure in heart, it is important that we are "the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." We need to love and encourage others, bringing peace unto others lives with the peace that we have. Lastly, Christ says, "And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". Notice how in the first and last beatitude, Christ says "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". This is how we can achieve the kingdom of heaven and the utmost happiness. However, we all make mistakes. We cannot do it on our own. Whatever you are going to be, be the very best at that you can. Then glorify our Father who art in Heaven who has given you everything. In the last verse of the chapter, Christ says "therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect". He does not say "try to be perfect", he commands us to "be perfect". He knows and I do that through Him, we can all be made perfect. Let us try each day a little harder, to be a little better. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Emmaline
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