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 detail? 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, coauthored 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 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.

Each year, Brigham Young University Religious Education professors produce hundreds of publications on subjects related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. This podcast brings this research into one place to enlighten the everyday seeker of truth. Interviewing the author, we discuss why the study was done, why it matters, and why the professor chooses to be both a scholar and a disciple. This is Y Religion: Research to Enlighten Your Mind.

Y Religion podcast episodes are available every two weeks and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pandora, and on the web at https://rsc.byu.edu/media/yreligion