Perhaps ? God ‘s saying ? be whole as I am whole
- - — -
The Greek bears that out. The word translated “perfect” is telelos which is usually an architectural term translated “whole, finished, complete”.
That is exactly what Jesus is saying. We are to be “complete” in love and in Him.
However the LDS use that verse (Matt 5:28) saying we can be completely perfect, overcome all sin, in THIS life. They also use it as a “proof” we can become Gods ourselves.
Finally, the LDS reject the idea that humans are sinful by nature, they say that we were BORN “children of God” and also that sin is just “missing the mark”. There is a lot of downplaying sin.
Their idea of perfection is following all of the “commandments” which are basically the rules/regs/rituals of the LDS church.
I was LDS for several years until by God’s grace He pulled me out of it.