The Beatitudes and a Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit

The beatitudes can be read as describing the progressive steps from our current fallen state towards returning to God’s presence. However, they can also be read as describing what it is to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Or, they describe the progressive levels of offering a broken heart and a contrite spirit to God. Here is the version of the beatitudes that Christ gave to the Nephites:

3) Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4) And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5) And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6) And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.

7) And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8) And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9) And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

10) And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11) And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;

12) For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you. (3 Nephi 12:3-12)

To offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit means that you:

§  are poor in spirit and come unto Christ
§  mourn (for your own weakness and you mourn with those who mourn)
§  are meek
§  hunger and thirst after righteousness
§  are merciful
§  have a pure heart
§  are a peacemaker
§  are persecuted