Week 46-The Seed Was Always Good

Scriptures:

Matt 13: 3-8

Mark 4 3-8

Alma 32

General Conference Address:  

“The Parable of the Sower” Elder Dallin H Oaks CR 4/2015

Thought:

Those who are still unconverted may begin to blame someone or something else when they try to live the gospel and fail. In the Parable of the Sower, the seed was always good. The seed was constant and worth planting. What changed, failed or succeeded, was the ground—the heart and habits of those who received it. Those without ears to hear or eyes to see won’t even plan the seed. Those with no depth, no testimony or conversion, will eventually watch the plant wither. Those who won’t leave Babylon, those who fail to “stand in holy places and be not moved” (D&C 87:8), will watch the word get choked out by the company they choose to keep. But those who prepare the ground, care for the seed, vigilantly remove the intruding, choking, and blinding influences, and spend time on their knees caring for and “nourishing it with much care” (Alma 32:37)  can watch that plant “get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit” (Alma 32:37). It requires work. Constant work. Getting dirty, pulling weeds, checking the soil, nourishing the soil, watering the roots, etc. It requires one to constantly exercise faith. That’s why it works! Conversion comes as we exercise faith. 

Misc:

Plants don’t exist to nurture themselves. They are selfless. They exist to give life to others.  Make sure to use the fruit to nurture others! 

Invitation: 

Identify 3-5 parts of the gospel that you struggle with. Then get out the spiritual gardening tools, lace up your boots and get on your knees. It’s never too late to grow a garden!