Week Two: The Parables

I figured since it was Father's Day, and dad's are the ones that teach us so much, I would talk about the parables that are found throughout Christ's ministry.

First for anyone who does not know what a parable is, it's a story of an event (usually very common...like doing laundry) that could usually happen. For example, in a parable about wheat and tares, the event is an enemy of the wheat farmer sows bad seed after the good seed is sown. This could happen and probably did happen. It's purpose is to teach a Divine lesson by using an ordinary example, but the lesson has to be found through interpretation. Someone could listen to a story and think nothing of it, or someone could receive enlightenment; it's up to the individual.

Even today we can find meaning in the parables taught in 14:24-50

The parable of the wheat and the tares (verses 24-30) is about the members of the church growing. At first there is a lot of missionary work done, good seeds are planted (seeds of faith, converts), then eventually tares are planted (doubts, doubtful people who try to bring other's faith down with theirs.) We can't "uproot" the people that do not endure because it would do the same for many good, faithful people. Eventually probably after this life, we will be sifted, those who were faithful and those who were not.

The parable of the gospel net is of missionary work. There are lots of people baptized, some that are converted to the gospel and some that are converted to the missionaries, their spouse or a friend. Others are converted for a short time and then fade off.  The church sends out so many missionaries because there are lots of people that are open and ready to accept the gospel. The phrase is often heard coming from the Doctrine and Covenants that the "field is white all ready to harvest" Everyone needs an opportunity to hear and accept the gospel. Those that are converted will stay and those that aren't won't. The message is delivered by the missionaries, full-time and part-time alike, but the Spirit teaches the open heart. There are so many people that are open. They just need that opportunity, and with the religions becoming so shaky people are seeking for stability. Thus the church is growing so fast!
The Parable of the pearl of great price is one of my favorites. This man spends his whole life looking for a great pearl, I'm sure that he doesn't know exactly what he's looking for, but when he finds it, he knows. That's how it it with so many people. Even members, and once they find it, if they treasure the gospel the way that this man treasured his pearl, they will do anything and everything to keep it. We sacrifice relationships with friends and family sometimes, we sometimes find ourselves in rough situations as we have to decline a drink, a movie or a social event. Church is three hours long. I could make a mile long list of the sacrifices, but when you look at the blessings the list is so very small.