The following diagram is based on Matthew 5 & 3 Nephi 12. The diagram begins with 3 Nephi 12:1 as the starting point and works outwards following the words of the Savior. As the chapter progresses the diagram moves out to the outer shell. The theme in each slice corresponds in a sort of parallel way (hence the double circle). For more background, see below.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Reading this Diagram (Based on Mathew 5, 3 Nephi 12)

The center corresponds with 3 Nephi 12:1 and works outward stating the beattitude and the resulting blessing, as  you move to the outward circle, the diagram states the old law on the inner track, the ‘old law’ is summarized, with the new law summarized on the outermost track. Each of these correspond with the inner circle principle, culminating in the injunction from the Lord, to be perfect.

Backstory

Blessed are . . .
Blessed are. . .
Blessed are. . .

Have you ever struggled with Matthew 5? It’s a beautiful passage full of words to live by from the Savior, but for whatever reason, I always seemed to struggle to get a sense of the continuity and the heart of the message.

For a long time for me it felt like a bunch of good gospel principles strung together almost, dare I say, almost haphazardly. There’s nothing wrong with that but it didn’t line up well with my faith and conviction in Christ as the Master Teacher. Either by looking beyond the mark or not looking far enough, it bothered me that I was missing something. I set out to do something about my problem.

In hindsight, I did two things that helped me get started:
1. I referred to 3 Nephi 12 for comparison.
2. I noticed that Mathew 5 ended with these words:

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
~Mathew 5:48

Be ye therefore perfect . . . alright, so what is it about this passage that helps me then, to become perfect? I am a visual guy, so I sat down and started sketching what I was reading:

About half way through I realized there was a sort of symmetric pattern emerging. You could call it chiastic or a sort of inverse parallel-structure .  Because the gospel is an ongoing process, I organized the concepts I saw into a wheel with the corresponding principles aligned.  The circle works outward, based on the opening statement of Christ in 3 Nephi 12, inviting each of us to “come unto him.”