beatitudes-a gentle and lovely path to pursue

Jesus, as the pre-mortal Messiah, gave the law of Moses on Mount Sinai. After His miraculous birth and He became the Mortal Messiah, he similarly gave the higher law upon a mountain, which is known to many as the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:1-14; Luke 6:17-26 (these may or my not be the same sermon--nevertheless, they are very similar) What invitations does the Savior extend in these verses also known as the beatitudes? Beatitude means fortunate, happy, or blessed. Truly those who follow these invitations will become so.

Mourning is a terrible state, Jesus invites us to receive the Holy Ghost or Comforter (John 14:26-27). He invites us to become one of His believers so that we may be comforted by other believers (Mosiah 18:8-9). Personally, mourning has come for large and small matters. Because I choose to believe His invitations, accept the Comforter, and associate with other believers, my griefs have been made lighter.

Being meek does not mean being a doormat. It is being gentle, forgiving, and doing good to all men. To develop meekness we turn away from sin or the natural man (Mosiah 3:19; 13:28) and we are prayerful and charitable (meaning the 1 Corinthians 13 meaning of charity or the pure love of Christ.).

I've heard hungering and thirsting after righteousness comparing and contrasting a Holiday dinner compared to an afternoon snack. I want to be filled with righteousness. This takes looking beyond worldliness and embracing the things of God and eternity-not easy in a world filled with tempting activities and the possibility of possessions and power.

Mercy is a difficult idea. We are all sinners and therefore all need mercy from one another and the Lord. That is why God told us not to judge---we are really in the same boat with different decorations. I'm reminded of the priest in Le Miserables, who showed great mercy and love toward Jean Valjean. Can I, do I do the same?

I have know a few people who appear pure in heart. To be in their presence is pure peace. It is possible for all of us to be so. "Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hears unto God." Helaman 3:35 I am very far from this ideal, but it does give a gentle and lovely path to pursue. Pure hearts are required because no unclean thing can dwell in God's presence, requiring regular repentance.

Oh, to be a peacemaker instead of a destroyer. How is it done? To do so we must adopt the character and of Christ, which is perfectly described in scripture but specifically Luke 2:52 and 1 Corinthians 13.

The righteous are persecuted, no doubt. Why? Followers of Christ forsake the world, thus threatening the avocations of those who won't. If persecution comes our way, Jesus told us how to act. Love, bless, and pray for our enemies--kindness begins with me (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:35).