Setting: Jesus calls and commissions the twelve disciples—He delivers to the Nephites a discourse similar to the Sermon on the Mount—He speaks the Beatitudes—His teachings transcend and take precedence over the law of Moses—Men are commanded to be perfect even as He and His Father are perfect—Compare Matthew 5. About A.D. 34.

Verse 1: And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am.
Note: Jesus Christ was unknown in Pre-Columbian paganism.
Like most Mesoamerican religious systems, the Zapotec religion was polytheistic. Two principal deities include Cocijo, the rain god (similar to the Aztec god Tlaloc), and Coquihani, the god of light. It is believed that the Zapotec sometimes used human sacrifice in their rituals. The Zapotecs had a predominance of deities associated with fertility and agriculture. There are both male and female representation, told apart from each other by costumes. Males normally wear breechclouts and sometimes capes, while females are represented by wearing skirts. Prominent gods are Cocijo – god of lightning and rain, he is represented from Monte Alban 1-4. Another one is the god of maize Pitao Cozobi. Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

Verse 2: And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, 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 their sins.
Note: Jesus Christ gave the Holy Spirit to His disciples without baptism.
Then said Jesus to them again, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” John 20:21-23.
Note: Sidney Rigdon believed in the baptismal regeneration heresy.

Verse 3: Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3.

Verse 4: And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4.

Verse 5: And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5.

Verse 6: And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6.

Verse 7: And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7.

Verse 8: And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8.

Verse 9: And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9.

Verse 10: And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10.

Verse 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;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11.

Verse 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.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:12.

Verse 13: Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13.

Verse 14: Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14.

Verse 15: Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 5:15.

Verse 16: Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Verse 17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17.

Verse 18: For verily I say unto you, one jot nor one tittle hath not passed away from the law, but in me it hath all been fulfilled.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matthew 5:18.

Verse 19: And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled.
Note: Sidney Rigdon did not like Jesus’ teaching on hypocrisy.
“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19.

Verse 20: Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Note: Sidney Rigdon realized that Pharisees didn’t exist in America.
“For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20.

Verse 21: Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:” Matthew 5:21.

Verse 22: But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca , shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:22.

Verse 23: Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee—
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;” Matthew 5:23

Verse 24: Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Matthew 5:24.

Verse 25: Agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him, lest at any time he shall get thee, and thou shalt be cast into prison.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Matthew 5:25.

Verse 26: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost senine. And while ye are in prison can ye pay even one senine? Verily, verily, I say unto you, Nay.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.” Matthew 5:26.

Verse 27: Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:” Matthew 5:27.

Verse 28: But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:28.

Verse 29: Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart;
Note: Sidney Rigdon changed the text when he disagreed with the Holy Bible.
“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:29.

Verse 30: For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.
Note: Sidney Rigdon changed the text when he disagreed with the Holy Bible.
“And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:30.

Verse 31: It hath been written, that whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:” Matthew 5:31.

Verse 32: Verily, verily, I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery; and whoso shall marry her who is divorced committeth adultery.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” Matthew 5:32.

Verse 33: And again it is written, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:” Matthew 5:33.

Verse 34: But verily, verily, I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:” Matthew 5:34.

Verse 35: Nor by the earth, for it is his footstool;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.” Matthew 5:35.

Verse 36: Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair black or white;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.” Matthew 5:36.

Verse 37: But let your communication be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever cometh of more than these is evil.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37.

Verse 38: And behold, it is written, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:” Matthew 5:38.

Verse 39: But I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39.

Verse 40: And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.” Matthew 5:40.

Verse 41: And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” Matthew 5:41.
 
Verse 42: Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn thou not away.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Matthew 5:42.

Verse 43: And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.” Matthew 5:43.

Verse 44: But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44.

Verse 45: 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.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:45.

Verse 46: Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled.
Note: Sidney Rigdon could not agree with giving to those who dislike you.
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” Matthew 5:46.

Verse 47: Old things are done away, and all things have become new.
Note: Sidney Rigdon could not agree with giving to those who dislike you.
“And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?”
Note: Sidney Rigdon borrowed another verse from the Holy Bible.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Verse 48: Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Note: Sidney Rigdon copied the Holy Bible.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.

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