Sermon at the Temple

Angels- According to kids I only know the names of two angels, Hark and Harold. ~~~Gregory, 5 Everybody's got it all wrong. Angels don't wear halos anymore. I forget why, but scientists are working on it. ~~~Olive, 9 It's not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to Heaven, and then there's still the flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to those angel clothes. ~~~Matthew, My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science. ~~~Henry, 8 When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado. ~~~Reagan, 10 Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go south for the winter. ~~~Sara, 6 All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it. ~~~Antonio, 9 My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still down here on earth. ~~~Lynn, 9 Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don't make the animals get better, they help the child get over it. ~~~Vicki, 8 What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them. ~~~ Sarah, 7 Angels talk all the way while they're flying you up to heaven. The main subject is where you went wrong before you got dead. ~~~Daniel, 9

President Harold B. Lee Christ came not only into the world to make an atonement for the sins of mankind but to set an example before the world of the standard of perfection of God's law and of obedience to the Father. In his Sermon on the Mount (when combined with the Sermon at the Temple) the Master has given us somewhat of a revelation of his own character, which was perfect, or what might be said to be an 'autobiography, every syllable of which he had written down in deeds,' and in so doing has given us a blueprint for our own lives." (Stand Ye In Holy Places, pp ) Question: Isnt it hard to compare His example, as the Son of God, with our imperfect life today? Arent we prone to be overwhelmed by the huge difference?

Brigham Young "we all occupy diversified stations in the world and in the kingdom of God. Those who do right, and seek the glory of the Father in heaven, whether they can do little or much, if they do the very best they know how, they are perfect.... 'Be ye as perfect as ye can,' for that is all we can do.... To be as perfect as we possibly can according to our knowledge is to be just as perfect as our father in Heaven is. He cannot be any more perfect than he knows how, any more than we. When we are doing as well as we know in the sphere and station which we occupy here we are justified." (Journal of Discourses, 2: )

Its all relative Knowledge (Understanding) Capacity for Perfection

The Blue Print for Perfection? The Sermon on the Mount …Clarified and expanded by the Sermon at the Temple (3 Nephi)

3 Nephi 12: 2 Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words… and come down into the depths of humility… …and come down into the depths of humility… … and be baptized… …for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost… … and shall receive a remission of sins. FAITH AND BELIEF REPENT BAPTISM HOLYGHOST FORGIVE TO BE FORGIVEN 3 Nephi 12: 3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit (who come unto me), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and again blessed are all they that mourn, (for their sins) for they shall be comforted and blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth… and blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled (with the Holy Ghost…) and blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy…

President Hinckley I watched on television the summary trial given one who had been a merciless despot. Now in the moment of his extremity he wished for mercy on the part of his accusers. I know nothing of the court system under which he and his wife were tried. I know only that the hearing was short, the judgment death, and the execution quick and final. There had been no mercy shown through long years of oppression, harsh and unrelenting; and now in this hour of bitter culmination none was extended. Mercy is of the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The degree to which each of us is able to extend it becomes an expression of the reality of our discipleship under Him who is our Lord and Master. ("Blessed Are the Merciful," Ensign, May 1990, pp )

3 Nephi 12: 2 Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words… and come down into the depths of humility… …and come down into the depths of humility… … and be baptized… …for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost… … and shall receive a remission of sins...ye shall testify that ye have seen me and …know that I am 3 Nephi 18:34…blessed are ye if ye have no disputations among you… 3 Nephi 15:9…for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life… FAITH AND BELIEF REPENT BAPTISM HOLYGHOST FORGIVE TO BE FORGIVEN TEMPLE LIVE THE GOSPEL OF PEACE ENDURE TO THE END 3 Nephi 12: 3 Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit (who come unto me), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and again blessed are all they that mourn, (for their sins) for they shall be comforted and blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth… and blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled (with the Holy Ghost…) and blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy… and blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God And Blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. and Blessed are all they which are persecuted (for my names sake): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Finally, keep perspective …a divorced mother of several children who was back in school trying to get a better life for herself and her family. She continued, "I used to try to do and be everything that the Church wanted, but I finally had to give up. They always wanted more than I had. I can't help that I'm broke, or a single parent with two jobs trying to go to school full-time. I can't do what the other Saints can, and they always want more out of memore time, more talent, more money, more commitmentand I just don't have more to give. The demands of the Church exceed my supply." Why does the Church sometimes seem to demand more of me than I think I can do? Why is there always so much pressure for me to be and to do and to give more? Well, first of all we've got to remember that perfection is the goal, a real goal, and we should be working for it with all our best efforts. We just need to remember at the same time that our salvation is not hanging in the balance. Stephen Robinson Believing Christ, 97