In 3 Nephi 12:1—12 the resurrected Savior delivers an address to the Nephites similar to the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5; Luke 6) and presents the Beatitudes. Like the Matthew 5 account, the Book of Mormon record details how we might enter and build a covenantal relationship with God through the “interrelated and progressive” arrangement of the Beatitudes (Bible Dictionary). But what additional insight does the 3 Nephi account offer that isn’t preserved in the New Testament? In this episode Dr. Brad Wilcox, professor of ancient scripture, discusses his book Blessed Are Ye: Using the Beatitudes to Understand Christ’s Atonement and Grace, co-authored with his brother Roger Wilcox. He details varied interpretations of the Beatitudes, connects them to the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, and examines their relationship to latter-day temple covenants. As we study the Beatitudes, they become more than a code of conduct. Rather, they can be a holy invitation from Christ Himself to enter a covenant relationship with Him, receive His grace, and become like Him.

Publications:

• Blessed Are Ye: Using the Beatitudes to Understand Christ’s Atonement and Grace (Covenant Communications, 2023)
• “His Grace Is Sufficient” (BYU Speeches, 2011)
• Changed through His Grace (Deseret Book, 2017)
• The Continuous Atonement (Deseret Book, 2009)
• Your Patriarchal Blessing (Deseret Book, 2021)
• “Be Not Faithless, but Believing” (Religious Educator, 25.2, 2024)
• “Applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ” (Religious Educator, 12.2, 2011)
• “Names in the Book of Mormon” (Y Religion, episode 83, 2023)
• “Answers About Patriarchal Blessings” (Y Religion, episode 46, 2021)

Click here to learn more about Brad Wilcox