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“They [converts] come to our wards and branches feeling as though they are strangers. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God”. We read in the scriptures about seeds and about the sower of seeds. We are taught that a seed can grow, become a tree, and bear fruit. But we have to have good soil to accept the good seed, and that is one of our roles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—that we provide the soil which nurtures the seed so it can grow and bear fruit and that the fruit remains.”

Interesting.  Usually when we talk about the parable of the sower we think of the ground as ourselves, as though we are the ground and need to make sure our hearts and souls are ready for the seed.  But here, Elder Hales, turns that on it’s heel.  And it feels very right, it does make sense that we have to provide the soil, good soil, for them to flourish.  In this way, we are working to help a glorious plant grow.

And I think this really gives a great perspective, because then everyone has a duty.  The plant’s duty is to grow, to push through, to do what it is meant to do, become like our Heavenly Father.  Our duty to others is to water, weed and cultivate.  We can’t provide the sun, that is Christ, he is the Son.  And pruning should be done rarely and with wisdom.

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