Matthew 13:1-23 The parable of the Sower
Elder
Dallin H. Oaks, April Conf. 2015:
Thus
the seeds that “fell by the way side” (Mark 4:4) have not reached mortal soil
where they might possibly grow. They are like teachings that fall upon a heart
hardened or unprepared.
Elder
Dallin H. Oaks, April Conf. 2015:
The
seed that was sown was “the word of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:19), “the word”
(Mark 4:14), or “the word of God” (Luke 8:11)—the teachings of the Master and
His servants.
NTISM:
The
way side was a path or road around or through fields. It became hardened as
farmers and travelers regularly walked upon it. The hardness of the way side
prevented seeds that fell upon it from sinking into the soil and taking root,
allowing birds to easily see and eat them.
Elder
Dallin H. Oaks, April Conf. 2015:
The
different soils on which the seeds fell represent different ways in which
mortals receive and follow these teachings.
President
Thomas S. Monson taught about the blessings of having a testimony firmly
rooted in the gospel:
“Unless
the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to
withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith. When firmly planted,
your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father will
influence all that you do throughout your life” (“May You Have Courage,” Ensign
or Liahona, May 2009, 126).
Elder
Dallin H. Oaks, April Conf. 2015:
What
causes hearers to “have no root in themselves”? This is the circumstance of new
members who are merely converted to the missionaries or to the many attractive
characteristics of the Church or to the many great fruits of Church membership.
Not being rooted in the word, they can be scorched and wither away when
opposition arises. But even those raised in the Church--long-term members--can
slip into a condition where they have no root in themselves. I have known some
of these--members without firm and lasting conversion to the gospel of Jesus
Christ. If we are not rooted in the teachings of the gospel and regular in its
practices, any one of us can develop a stony heart, which is stony ground for
spiritual seeds.
Spiritual
food is necessary for spiritual survival, especially in a world that is moving
away from belief in God and the absolutes of right and wrong. In an age
dominated by the Internet, which magnifies messages that menace faith, we must
increase our exposure to spiritual truth in order to strengthen our faith and
stay rooted in the gospel.
Young
people, if that teaching seems too general, here is a specific example. If the
emblems of the sacrament are being passed and you are texting or whispering or
playing video games or doing anything else to deny yourself essential spiritual
food, you are severing your spiritual roots and moving yourself toward stony
ground. You are making yourself vulnerable to withering away when you encounter
tribulation like isolation, intimidation, or ridicule. And that applies to
adults also.
Another
potential destroyer of spiritual roots--accelerated by current technology but
not unique to it--is the keyhole view of the gospel or the Church. This limited
view focuses on a particular doctrine or practice or perceived deficiency in a
leader and ignores the grand panorama of the gospel plan and the personal and
communal fruits of its harvest. President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a vivid
description of one aspect of this keyhole view. He told a BYU audience about
political commentators “aflame with indignation” at a then-recent news event.
“With studied art they poured out the sour vinegar of invective and
anger. … Surely,” he concluded, “this is the age and place of the gifted
pickle sucker.” In contrast, to be securely rooted in the gospel, we must be
moderate and measured in criticism and seek always for the broader view of the
majestic work of God.