The Mount and the Master

The Sermon on the Mount is acknowledged as one of the Savior's greatest sermons. Its message was so important that Christ repeated it to the Nephites when he visited them on the American continent. For those seeking to "come unto Christ," it is an essential map to the path of perfection.

In The Mount and the Master, Elder Robert E. Wells of the First Quorum of the Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints explores the teachings and messages of the sermon. "It is a blueprint for us to use in our personal path toward perfection, as well as a pattern of many of the attributes and qualities we must develop in our eternal quest to approach the perfection Jesus exemplifies," he writes. "Therefore, those who would 'come unto him' will seek to follow these admonitions and try to make daily progress toward the goal he has so clearly put forth."

Elder Wells gives practical ideas and guidance for implementing the Savior's commandments and illuminates the principles with insight from latter-day prophets. "Part of the inspiration of the sermon," he says, "is that it teaches us to lay aside those things which do not contribute to our progress toward eternal life and exaltation.

"Self-control will lead to Christ, but that means giving up the things of the world and changing our thoughts, our words, our actions, our very heart and character in order to become like him and to think like him. Then we will eventually be worthy to be with him eternally."

Our understanding and appreciation for the Savior's words are enhanced by this careful study of them. The Mount and the Master offers guidance to all who are pursuing the eternal goal of coming unto Christ.