What Are Christlike Attributes I Should Develop?
A Dissection of 3 Nephi 12:3–5
3 Nephi 12:3–5
“Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
1. Poor in Spirit Who Come Unto Me
Most Poignant Scriptures
• The teaching on being poor in spirit who come unto Christ (Ps. 86:1; Eccl. 4:13–14; Matt. 5:3; D&C 56:17–18; Matt. 11:28–30)
Why These
This phrase shows that Christlike humility is both an inner condition (“poor in spirit”) and an action (“come unto me”). Together they teach us that we develop Christlike character when we recognize our need and respond by turning toward the Savior. This is the beginning of discipleship and the foundation of every other attribute.
Principle
We cultivate humility — a willingness to acknowledge our need and actively come unto Christ for strength, direction, and transformation.
Why These Scriptures Matter
Ps. 86:1
“Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy.”
This passage shows that being “poor and needy” is not a flaw but a spiritual posture. It teaches us that God bends His ear toward those who acknowledge their dependence. It matters because it reframes humility as the condition that draws divine attention.
Eccl. 4:13–14
“Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.”
“For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.”
These verses contrast teachability with stubbornness. They matter because they show that spiritual poverty is the willingness to be corrected, guided, and lifted — even from low places. They reveal that humility is the path to wisdom and elevation.
Matt. 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Christ Himself declares that the kingdom belongs to the “poor in spirit.” This matters because it establishes humility as the entry point into His kingdom — not achievement, not status, not strength.
D&C 56:17–18
“Wo unto you poor men, whose hearts are not broken, whose spirits are not contrite, and whose bellies are not satisfied, and whose hands are not stayed from laying hold upon other men’s goods, whose eyes are full of greediness, and who will not labor with your own hands!”
“But blessed are the poor who are pure in heart, whose hearts are broken, and whose spirits are contrite, for they shall see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance; for the fatness of the earth shall be theirs.”
These verses show that the Lord blesses the humble and chastens the proud. They matter because they reveal the divine pattern: God lifts those who lower themselves before Him.
Matt. 11:28–30
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This is the heart of the phrase “come unto me.” Christ invites us to bring our burdens to Him, promising rest and transformation. It matters because it shows that humility is not passive — it moves us toward Christ in trust.
The Principles These Scriptures Pose
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Humility is spiritual honesty.
We admit our need instead of pretending strength we do not have. -
Humility is teachability.
We allow God to correct us, shape us, and lead us. -
Humility is movement toward Christ.
Being “poor in spirit” is incomplete without the action of “coming unto” Him. -
Humility is the doorway to the kingdom.
Christ places this attribute first because it unlocks every other Christlike virtue. - Humility positions us to receive divine rest, divine help, and divine transformation.
Application to Our Celestial Spiritual Growth
We grow celestial when we stop relying on our own strength and begin relying on Christ’s.
Celestial growth is not self‑improvement — it is Christ‑improvement in us.
We grow celestial when we let God teach us.
A celestial heart is a teachable heart — one that welcomes correction, guidance, and refinement.
We grow celestial when we move toward Christ instead of away from Him.
Every time we “come unto Him,” we step into higher spiritual light.
We grow celestial when we embrace our need instead of hiding it.
Celestial beings are not self‑sufficient — they are God‑sufficient.
We grow celestial when humility becomes our lifestyle, not our emergency posture.
Humility is not something we use only when life collapses; it is the daily orientation of a soul becoming like Christ.
Summary of Poor in Spirit Scriptures from the Topical Guide List
These additional references deepen our understanding of what it means to be “poor in spirit” by showing us the full range of humility God invites us to develop. They reveal that humility is not merely a feeling but a spiritual posture that begins with honest self‑awareness, softens our hearts, and prepares us to turn toward Christ. Some of these references highlight people who recognized their own weakness and sought divine help; others show individuals whose circumstances humbled them and opened their hearts to God. Some warn us that outward lack does not automatically produce humility, while others show that God prospers those who willingly submit their hearts to Him. Together, they teach us that being “poor in spirit” is a chosen condition of openness, teachability, and dependence on God — a condition that prepares us for covenant living, spiritual growth, and deeper transformation. These references give our audience the chance to explore how humility operates in different settings and how God responds to it, helping us see why this attribute is the foundation of all Christlike development.
2. Blessed Are All They That Mourn, for They Shall Be Comforted
Most Poignant Scriptures
• The teaching on those who mourn and are comforted (Mormon 2:11–14; Matt. 5:4; Alma 28:6)
Why These
This phrase teaches us that Christlike compassion is formed when we allow ourselves to feel deeply — both our own sorrows and the sorrows of others. Mourning is a covenant action, and the promise of being comforted shows that God meets us in our grief. This attribute shapes us into a people who carry one another’s burdens.
Principle
We develop compassion — entering one another’s sorrows and trusting God to comfort us as a unified community.
Why These Scriptures Matter
Mormon 2:11–14
“Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi.”
“And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous people.”
“But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.”
“And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives.”
This passage shows a people who experienced deep sorrow but did not turn to God with softened hearts. Their mourning was rooted in despair rather than humility. It matters because it teaches us that not all mourning leads to spiritual growth — only the kind that opens our hearts to God. It warns us that sorrow without surrender can harden us instead of heal us.
Matt. 5:4
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
This reference teaches that God blesses those who mourn in a righteous way — those who bring their grief to Him. It matters because it reveals that divine comfort is not automatic; it is given to those who turn toward God with openness and faith. It shows that comfort is a covenant promise, not merely an emotional experience.
Alma 28:6
“And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer.”
This passage shows God’s people receiving comfort in the midst of profound loss. It matters because it demonstrates that divine comfort is real, present, and transformative. It shows that God strengthens us, steadies us, and fills us with peace even when circumstances do not change.
The Principles These Scriptures Pose
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Mourning must turn us toward God.
We grow when our sorrow softens us instead of closing us off. -
Comfort is God’s covenant response to righteous mourning.
When we bring our grief to Him, He meets us with peace and reassurance. -
Mourning prepares us to carry one another’s burdens.
Shared sorrow forms us into a compassionate, unified community. -
Comfort transforms us, not just soothes us.
God’s comfort strengthens, steadies, and sanctifies us. -
Mourning and comfort together shape Christlike character.
They teach us tenderness, empathy, and spiritual resilience.
Application to Our Celestial Spiritual Growth
We grow celestial when we let sorrow soften us instead of harden us.
Celestial beings are tender, not numb.
We grow celestial when we bring our grief to God.
Every time we turn to Him in mourning, we receive divine comfort that lifts us into higher spiritual light.
We grow celestial when we allow God’s comfort to reshape our hearts.
Comfort is not just relief — it is transformation.
We grow celestial when we learn to comfort others.
Celestial community is built on shared burdens and shared healing.
We grow celestial when mourning becomes a covenant action.
We choose to feel, to care, to carry, and to trust — and God meets us there.
Summary of Mourning, Mourn Scriptures from the Topical Guide List
These additional references show us the full landscape of what “mourning” means in scripture — its depth, its dangers, its purposes, and its promises. They reveal that mourning is woven into every part of the human and divine story: individuals mourn personal loss, communities mourn collective suffering, prophets mourn wickedness, and even the earth itself is described as mourning under the weight of sin. These references teach us that mourning is not a small or isolated theme; it is a universal spiritual experience that touches every soul, every family, every nation, and even creation itself.
They also show that mourning can arise from many causes — grief, injustice, repentance, destruction, wicked leadership, covenant sorrow, and divine judgment. Some passages show mourning that leads to humility and turning toward God; others show mourning that comes from rebellion, hardness, or the consequences of sin. This contrast helps us understand that not all mourning is the same: some mourning sanctifies us, and some mourning warns us.
Across the list, we see that God consistently responds to righteous mourning with compassion, comfort, and eventual joy. We also see that unrighteous mourning — mourning without repentance, mourning rooted in pride, or mourning that refuses God — leads to spiritual stagnation or further sorrow. These references collectively teach us that mourning is a covenant action when it opens our hearts to God and to one another.
Together, this list expands our understanding of Christ’s promise that those who mourn will be comforted. It shows that mourning is part of discipleship, part of community life, part of prophetic ministry, and part of the world’s story. It prepares our audience to see mourning not as a sign of weakness but as a sacred invitation to deeper compassion, deeper humility, and deeper reliance on God.
Summary of Comfort Scriptures from the Topical Guide List
These additional references show that comfort in scripture is far more than emotional relief — it is a divine pattern, a covenant promise, and a manifestation of God’s character. Across these passages, comfort appears in moments of grief, loss, fear, repentance, danger, and spiritual exhaustion. Some individuals receive comfort immediately; others refuse it; others wait for it; and others are transformed by it. This variety teaches us that comfort is not automatic but relational — it comes as we turn our hearts toward God.
These references also reveal that comfort is deeply personal. God comforts His people the way a parent comforts a child, offering presence, reassurance, and rest. Comfort is shown as protection in storms, strength in weakness, and peace in turmoil. It is also communal: God comforts Zion, His covenant people, and commands us to comfort one another. Comfort flows through the Holy Ghost, through the scriptures, through prophetic words, and through the compassion of disciples.
At the same time, several references show people who refused to be comforted. These moments warn us that comfort can be resisted when hearts remain closed, wounded, or hardened. This contrast helps us understand that divine comfort requires openness — a willingness to receive what God offers.
Together, this list teaches that comfort is one of God’s defining works: He lifts, steadies, strengthens, and restores. It shows that comfort is both a present blessing and a future promise — that mourning will end, sorrow will flee, and peace will prevail. These references prepare our audience to see comfort not as a small or sentimental idea but as a central part of God’s covenant relationship with His people and a vital element of our spiritual transformation.
3. Blessed Are the Meek, for They Shall Inherit the Earth
Most Poignant Scriptures
• The teaching on being meek and inheriting the earth (Zeph. 2:1–3; Rom. 12:16; Ps. 37:11; Matt. 5:5; 3 Ne. 12:5; D&C 88:17)
Why These
This phrase shows that meekness is Christlike strength — gentle, steady, teachable, and surrendered to God. The promise of inheriting the earth reveals that meekness prepares us for divine stewardship. This attribute forms the character of a people God can trust with His work.
Principle
We cultivate meekness — a gentle, teachable spirit that reflects Christ’s character and prepares us for the responsibilities He intends to give us.
Why These Scriptures Matter
Zeph. 2:1–3
“Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;”
“Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you.”
“Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
This passage teaches that meekness is expressed through seeking God, accepting correction, and choosing righteousness in times of pressure. It matters because it shows that meekness is not passive — it is an active turning toward God with humility and obedience. It reveals that meekness positions us to be protected, guided, and lifted by God.
Rom. 12:16
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
This reference teaches us to avoid pride, embrace lowliness, and be willing to associate with the humble. It matters because it shows that meekness is relational — it shapes how we treat others, how we see ourselves, and how we respond to differences. It reveals that meekness is the antidote to spiritual arrogance.
Ps. 37:11 (Matt. 5:5)
“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
These passages connects meekness with inheriting the earth and receiving peace. It matters because it shows that meekness is tied to divine reward and long‑term spiritual destiny. It reveals that God entrusts His future work to those who are gentle, steady, and surrendered.
D&C 88:17 (3 Ne. 12:5)
“And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.”
These references reinforce the promise that the meek will inherit the earth. They matter because they show that this inheritance is not symbolic — it is literal, covenantal, and tied to the future order of God’s kingdom. They reveal that meekness prepares us for stewardship, responsibility, and participation in God’s eternal work.
The Principles These Scriptures Pose
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Meekness is strength under God’s control.
We choose gentleness, patience, and surrender rather than force or pride. -
Meekness is teachability.
We allow God to correct us, shape us, and guide us. -
Meekness is relational humility.
We treat others with respect, equality, and compassion. -
Meekness prepares us for stewardship.
God entrusts His work to those who are humble and steady. -
Meekness is tied to eternal inheritance.
It positions us to receive what God intends to give His covenant people.
Application to Our Celestial Spiritual Growth
We grow celestial when we let God shape our strength into gentleness.
Celestial beings are powerful, but their power is governed by humility and love.
We grow celestial when we become teachable.
A celestial heart welcomes correction, refinement, and divine instruction.
We grow celestial when we treat others with meekness.
Meekness builds unity, peace, and trust — the foundation of celestial community.
We grow celestial when we surrender our will to God.
Meekness aligns us with God’s purposes and prepares us for eternal stewardship.
We grow celestial when we live for the inheritance God has promised.
Meekness shapes us into a people who can receive and wisely govern the earth in the world to come.
Summary of Meek, Meekness Scriptures from the Topical Guide List
These additional references reveal that meekness is one of the most consistent and essential Christlike attributes taught throughout scripture. They show that meekness is not weakness but a form of spiritual strength — a strength expressed through gentleness, patience, humility, and a willingness to be taught. Across these passages, meekness appears in leaders, prophets, disciples, and covenant communities, demonstrating that it is a universal requirement for those who follow God.
These references also show that meekness shapes how we relate to God and to one another. Meek individuals are guided, taught, protected, and lifted by God. They receive revelation, correction, and spiritual increase because their hearts are soft and receptive. Meekness is shown as the posture that allows us to receive God’s word, respond to His Spirit, and walk in His ways without resistance or pride.
Many of these passages connect meekness to divine favor and future inheritance. The meek are promised peace, joy, spiritual prosperity, and ultimately the right to inherit the earth. This inheritance is not merely symbolic — it reflects God’s trust in those who have learned to govern themselves with humility, gentleness, and righteousness. Meekness prepares us for stewardship in God’s kingdom.
Other references show that meekness is essential in ministry and community life. It shapes how we teach, correct, serve, and respond to opposition. It is the spirit in which we share truth, bear testimony, and exercise influence. Meekness is described as an ornament, a fruit of the Spirit, and a requirement for acceptability before God.
Together, this list teaches that meekness is a defining characteristic of Christ Himself and therefore must become a defining characteristic of His disciples. It shows that meekness is learned, practiced, and cultivated — and that it transforms us into people God can trust with His work, His word, and His future kingdom.
Summary of Destiny of Earth Scriptures from the Topical Guide List
These additional references reveal that the destiny of the earth is one of the most expansive and consistent doctrines in all scripture. They show that the earth is not merely a temporary dwelling place but a divinely created, divinely governed, and divinely destined sphere with a future role in God’s eternal plan. Across these passages, the earth is portrayed as enduring, purposeful, and ultimately transformed — moving from its present fallen state toward a sanctified, glorified, and celestial condition.
These references show that the earth is both an inheritance and a participant in God’s redemptive work. The righteous are repeatedly promised that they will inherit the earth, linking meekness, covenant faithfulness, and discipleship to future stewardship. This inheritance is not symbolic; it is literal, tied to the earth’s eventual renewal and celestial glory. The earth is shown as a place prepared for God’s people, a future home where righteousness dwells and where God’s presence fills creation with light.
At the same time, many passages describe the earth undergoing cleansing, burning, shaking, and transformation. These events are not destruction for its own sake but part of the earth’s sanctification — a refining process that prepares it for its eternal state. The earth will be renewed, transfigured, and restored to the glory it was created to hold. It will become a place of knowledge, purity, unity, and divine presence.
Other references show the earth responding to human righteousness or wickedness — rejoicing, mourning, yielding increase, or being smitten. This reveals that the earth is not spiritually neutral; it is bound to God’s covenants and to His people. The destiny of the earth is inseparably connected to the destiny of the saints, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the welding of generations.
Together, this list teaches that the earth’s future is glorious, purposeful, and central to God’s plan. It will be sanctified, crowned with glory, filled with divine light, and given as an inheritance to the meek and faithful. These references prepare our audience to see “inherit the earth” not as a poetic phrase but as a profound promise — one that ties our present discipleship to our eternal stewardship in God’s celestial kingdom.
Final Thoughts & Testimony
“Becoming a People Shaped by Christ”
As we reflect on these teachings — humility, mourning, comfort, meekness, and the promised inheritance — we begin to see that Christ is not merely describing attributes; He is describing the kind of people we are meant to become. Each phrase in this sermon invites us into a deeper transformation, one that reshapes our hearts, our relationships, and our destiny. We learn that humility opens the door, mourning softens the soul, comfort heals the wounds, meekness steadies the spirit, and inheritance anchors our hope in the future God is preparing for us.
These attributes are not isolated virtues. They are a spiritual progression, a pattern of becoming that draws us closer to Christ and closer to one another. When we choose humility, we make room for God. When we allow ourselves to mourn, we make room for compassion. When we receive comfort, we make room for healing. When we walk in meekness, we make room for divine stewardship. And when we inherit the earth, we step into the eternal purposes God has prepared for His covenant people.
I testify that these attributes are not beyond our reach. They are gifts Christ is willing to cultivate within us as we come unto Him. I know that when we humble ourselves, He lifts us. When we mourn righteously, He comforts us. When we soften our hearts, He transforms us. When we walk in meekness, He prepares us for responsibilities we cannot yet imagine. And when we remain faithful, He will fulfill every promise He has spoken concerning His people and the destiny of this earth.
I bear witness that Christ is the perfect example of every attribute we seek to develop. He is humble, compassionate, comforting, meek, and sovereign over all creation. As we follow Him, we do not merely learn about these attributes — we become shaped by them. We become a people who reflect His character, carry His light, and prepare for His coming kingdom.
May we walk this path with sincerity, with unity, and with hope. May we let Christ write these attributes into our souls. And may we become, through His grace, the people Christ Jesus has called us to be. Amen.
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