Beatitudes - Turning to Christ

I have recently been reading the beatitudes in Matthew 5 of the New Testament. I have been considering them, not just as characteristics that we should try to develop, but actually as instruction on turning to the Savior and partaking of the atonement. In verse three we are told that the "kingdom of heaven" belongs to the "poor in spirit." Utilizing the footnotes, we learn that poor in spirit means poor in pride, or humble in spirit. The Book of Mormon further clarifies this scripture by adding "the poor in spirit who come unto me." So it is not just people who are humble that will receive the kingdom of heaven, but those that turn to Christ. Only those who humble themselves, come to Christ and repent, thus accessing the power of the atonement, can gain celestial glory.
Verse 4: Blessed are they that mourn ( I think we could add here again "who turn to Christ". There are plenty of people who mourn that are never comforted because they don't know where to turn to receive comfort). I have considered this verse in a couple of different ways. First, blessed are they that mourn because of trials or adversity. If these people turn to Christ, they can be comforted by the Savior and the Holy Ghost. In John 14: 16 the Savior promises the first and second comforters. Christ is one of these comforters, and the other is the Holy Ghost. As we receive that comfort we will be blessed with increased faith and testimony. I have heard many people say that they are grateful for the trials they have had because of the blessings that can come as they turned to Christ in the midst of their trial. The second way I looked at this was regarding those who mourn because of sin they have committed. Again, they will only be blessed with comfort as they turn to Christ and repent. This fits in nicely with the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. First we must have faith in Christ, then we can repent and part of the repentance process involves a certain mourning. Then through the saving ordinances of baptism and confirmation, we can receive the Comforters into our lives.
Verse 5 seems to be a reiteration of verse 3. The meek are those that are humble and teachable. They will inherit the earth, which will become the Celestial Kingdom.
Verse 6: Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness. I think this describes people who desire, seek, and are teachable (that seems to be coming up a lot). These are not people with a temporary, passive desire, but rather people who truly want to learn and are willing to act on the knowledge gained. These people will be filled. Filled with what? The Book of Mormon comes to the rescue again. 3 Nephi 12: 6 "they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost."
Verse 7: Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. I don't have too many deep thoughts on this one. Just that we must forgive others to attain forgiveness ourselves. This is also taught in D&C 64:9 and 82:1. Again, this is part of what we must do to access the cleansing power of the atonement.
Verse 8: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Something that is pure is something that has been cleansed, sanctified and made holy. Those who have been truly converted in their heart, can be cleansed through baptism, sanctified and made holy be the Spirit through the power of the atonement. These people will see God. They will be able to see God's hand in their life, but they will also one day be able to stand in His presence. Again, you can only become pure in heart as you turn to Christ and partake of the atonement.
Verse 9 seems to be a bit of a shift to me. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. All of the previous beatitudes, at least to me, talk about accessing the atonement. Now in verse nine is where we start becoming like Christ, the Prince of Peace. Other scriptures tell us that we only receive the power to become sons and daughters of Christ after we have believed on Him and accepted His atonement in our lives. See Mosiah 15: 11-12, John 1:12, 3 Nephi 9:17. So this blessing again is contingent on our accepting the atonement. This is how we gain the power to become like the Savior.
Verses 10-12 talk about enduring persecutions and reviling. Once we have accepted the atonement, our lives are not going to be all lollipops and roses. We may be, and probably will be, called upon to endure persecution and reviling because of our beliefs. There are many other scriptures that teach that those that endure to the end will be lifted up and saved at the last day. See 1 Nephi 13:37, 1 Nephi 22:31, Matthew 10:22. It makes me think of Lehi’s vision of the tree of life in 1 Nephi 8. In verse 28 of that chapter, Lehi describes how some people fell away after they had partaken of the fruit. They became ashamed because others were mocking them. Once we have reached the tree and partaken of the fruits of the atonement, we must hold firm to that position, or we can fall away.
So, where am I in this process? I am not exactly sure. I am trying to do what I can to learn more about the atonement and increase my faith. I know that Heavenly Father will help us in those efforts. He is anxious to bless us.