The meaning behind the Greek The word perfect in Matthew 5:48 is telieos, which can mean “finished” or “completed.” It does not necessarily mean “without mistakes or flaws.” The Hebrew equivalent of this word also has a lot more to do with completion than with flawlessness. When we belittle ourselves for making mistakes, we may be reading into the scripture more than Jesus or the author of Matthew ever intended.
In the Book of Mormon, Jesus uniquely commands followers to be perfect “as I, or your Father” is perfect. In the New Testament, Jesus only commands His followers to be perfect like the Father. This is an important distinction because it shows that even Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, did not consider Himself “perfect” until His mission was completed. Likewise, we can understand that while we make mistakes in this life, as long as we are always striving to be loyal to God and our covenants, we will one day be perfect like Jesus Christ.
Anyone who wears a veil, whether it is a bride on her wedding day, a nun taking her vows, or an ancient queen at her coronation, often does so to outwardly signify an elevation in her status, sanctification, and power. Veils convey the idea that the object or person within the veil is precious, holy, and powerful.
Like Moses on Mount Sinai who shone with the glory of God (Exodus 34:33–35), women who wear a veil, especially in temple settings, signify that they have now obtained the knowledge and preparation necessary to exude the glory and power of godliness.
In addition, the Book of Mormon’s version of this sermon helps us understand that Christ’s commandment to be perfect may be more about covenants than about our current sinlessness. In the Book of Mormon, Jesus precedes the commandment to be perfect with a discussion about the old laws and covenants. Elsewhere in the Old Testament, where perfection is brought up, it is in the context of one’s devotion to God and His covenants. It’s possible that when Jesus commands us to be perfect, He is commanding us to keep our covenants to God as best we can.
Furthermore, just as with the appearance of the new star, any method for making night bright as day would have required a great deal of advanced planning on the part of the Lord. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, “the so-called ‘little star of Bethlehem’ was actually very large in its declaration of divine design! It had to have been placed in its precise orbit long, long before it shone so precisely!”[3] Elder Maxwell went on to explain that the Lord puts the same care and attention into the lives of his children. “His overseeing precision pertains not only to astrophysical orbits but to human orbits as well.”[4] Just as the new star “was in its precise orbit long before it so shone,” so are individuals “placed in human orbits to illuminate.”
One of the things Paul’s statement helps to explain is the list describing charity. Phrases like “suffereth long” and “is not puffed up” can be confusing for some modern readers. However, this could also be translated as “charity is patient and kind, isn’t jealous, isn’t arrogant, doesn’t insist on getting his own way, isn’t easily upset, doesn’t hatch evil plots, doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in faithfulness.”4 Instead of “believing all things” which makes charity seem naïve, the end of the list can actually be translated as, “endures all abuse, never loses faith, is always confident, and remains patient no matter what happens.”5