Circumstances did not allow for posting these lessons the weeks they were completed. However, it is my hope that you will still be able to take something from them. Today’s posts address lesson 11, “He Spake Many Things unto Them in Parables.”
Today’s scripture study focused me on the parable of the sower, found in Matthew 13:1-8. The first thing I did was to match up the verses of the parable with the verses of Christ’s interpretation (found in 13:19-23). As we examine Christ’s explanation, try to remember that one of the interesting things about parables is their wide array of meanings. Thus, what one person sees as interesting does not mean this is all that is applicable. Furthermore, we can only find the interpretation appropriate to us through study, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s start off with the seeds that fell by the wayside. Birds swooped down and gobbled them up before they had a chance to take root. Christ explains that these are they who hear the words spoken but do not actually hear; they do not comprehend. Many of these, I am sure, sat in His audience as He spoke, not realizing they are part of the reason He spoke in parables. In D&C 93:39, the Savior elaborates that these are they who Satan leads away through disobedience. If Satan can just catch our attention briefly, before the Lord’s words have time to sink in, He will do so. Another great reason to “hide away” while doing your scripture study.
The next batch of seeds is those that fell in stony places. These quickly spring up, but, lacking root, wither and die when the sun rises. Christ explains that such are those who fall away when tribulation or persecution come. The roots of their testimonies are shallow indeed. Elder Marvin J. Ashton encourages us to nourish our testimonies so as to avoid this plight; “Deep and enduring testimonies grow and strengthen as they are daily nurtured. They increase as they are shared.” We must constantly tend to them to avoid an untimely death. We must be sure our roots have been sunk deep.
The third group of seeds falls amongst the thorns, which choke them in an untimely death. Such are those which allow the cares of the world to distract them from their divine potential. There was a wonderful quote by Elder Richard G. Scott that I printed for a lesson a few weeks ago; I’m going to paraphrase, but it was given in a 2001 General Conference. Basically, he notes that Satan doesn’t always use bad things to distract us. Sometimes, he just uses those things which are good but not essential. As we fail to put the focus in our lives on Christ, even if other things we are focusing on are good, Satan has basically succeeded.
Finally, we come to the seeds that fall on good ground and bring forth fruits of varying yields. Be sure you check the JST of the interpretation; these are those that hear, understand, and endure. Conversion is complete, and, as Elder Ashton warned, the work is ongoing. We invest ourselves in the Lord – invest our time, energy, and basically our whole heart. This, of course, is the kind of ground that we want to be.
I’m going to close with a cute story from President James E. Faust that should make you think about what you are investing in. Hopefully, you will see that those who fall on ‘good’ ground are those who wait patiently for their eternal rewards. We ourselves ought to seek out that good ground and cultivate the seeds of testimony planted within.
Timmy had only two pennies in his pocket when he approached the farmer and pointed to a tomato hanging lusciously from a vine.
“Give you two cents for it,” the boy offered.
“That kind brings a nickel,” the farmer told him.
“This one?” Timmy asked, pointing to a smaller, greener, and less tempting specimen. The farmer nodded agreement. “OK,” said Timmy, and sealed the deal by placing his two pennies in the farmer’s hand. “I’ll pick it up in about a week.”
You young men could learn from Timmy, who invested two cents in a tomato that would be worth five cents in the future. If you are willing to invest now, you young men will have opportunities to accomplish as much as any generation that has ever lived. For too many, however, the seed of faith falls among thorns, and the seed becomes unfruitful.
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