Today I was reading in Alma 32. The analogy of the faith being compared to a seed has always been a favorite of mine. Today the verses about the importance of nourishing the tree really stood out to me. In Alma 32:37-39 it reads:
“37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.
38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your aground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.”
These verse really seemed to speak to me about the importance of taking time every day to nourish your testimony, and to strengthen your relationship with Christ. Since I do have a strong testimony of the church, I began to wonder how these verses would apply to me. I have nourished the seed and it has grown and sprouted. I feel that my roots are pretty deep, but there are times when I feel out of harmony with my testimony. I do not cope as well with the daily trials in my life.
As I thought about this I began to think about how I can let my ground become barren. There is the scripture study, which becomes routine as your mind wanders while reading, the prayers that are said as your head hits the pillow, or as you struggle to get out of bed in the morning. It can be that you allow yourself to become so busy that you do not have time for the meditation that helps you to grow closer to the Savior.
We all have times when we are focusing intently on nourishing our testimonies. We also have times when we let life get in the way of building our testimonies up. Generally we are somewhere in the middle. Or at least I am. Today I realized I need to find the time to really nourish my testimony again. I have become too caught up in the struggles that I am dealing with, to take the time to make sure I am drawing closer to Christ.
Related Articles:
General Conference: “Faith, Service, Constancy”
“The Times in Which We Live”
Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed