Eyes to see and ears to hear…

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Brother Wells, BYU Parenting… Parents are tradition bearers, and one's faith must be kept alive and growing in order for it to be felt as true to children who listen to them and watch them. There is strong evidence that narratives, the stories we tell or hear, may be our most natural register for learning about human behavior. Some of the work of David Dollahite of BYU in family stories and the research of Richard Bounforte, also of BYU, suggest people can teach their fundamental beliefs most deeply in personal stories, stories in which listeners and the storyteller participate together… (Writing His Law in Their Hearts: The Development of Religious Faith in Children, 1995 BYU Devotional)

Matthew 13 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying,

The Savior’s own explanation… Then the disciples came and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; But whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables; because they, seeing, see not; and hearing, they hear not; neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias concerning them, which saith, By hearing, ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing, ye shall see and shall not perceive. Question Where is this verse in Isaiah? Question Who is “them”

The Parable of the Sower And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow. Wait, one more question! Why this parable, right now?

Prophet Joseph Smith I have a key by which I understand the scriptures. I enquire, what was the question which drew out the answer, or caused Jesus to utter the parable To ascertain its meaning, we must dig up the root and ascertain what it was that drew the saying out of Jesus." (Joseph Fielding Smith, comp. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith )

The Parable of the Sower (Matt 13) The Parable (4-7) And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth; and forthwith they sprung up; and when the sun was up, they were scorched, because they had no deepness of earth; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked them. But others fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit; some an hundred-fold, some sixty-fold, and some thirty-fold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. The Savior’s Explanation (18-22) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart; But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word and readily with joy receiveth it, yet he hath not root in himself, and endureth but for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also who received seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground, is he that heareth the word and understandeth and endureth; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred-fold, some sixty, and some thirty. v. 23 There arose a mist of darkness…insomuch That they who had commenced did lose their way… and were lost v. 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those who were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost… v. 31 …other multitudes [were] feeling their Way towards that great and spacious building… And many were drowned in the…fountain v. 12 and as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; wherefore I began to be desirous that my family should partake also… Lehi’s Tree of Life Vision (I Nephi 8)

Elder McConkie “Parables are a call to investigate the truth; to learn more; to inquire into the spiritual realities, which, through them, are but dimly viewed. Parables start truth seekers out in the direction of further light and knowledge and understanding; they invite men to ponder such truths as they are able to bear in the hope of learning more. Parables are a call to come unto Christ, to believe his doctrines, to live his laws, and to be saved in his kingdom. They teach arithmetic to those who have the capacity to learn calculus in due course. They are the mild milk of the word that prepares our spiritual digestive processes to feast upon the doctrinal meat of the kingdom.” MM 2:245)

Elder Marvin J. Ashton Four condition that might cause us to lose the law of the harvest, as seen in the parable of the Sower. 1- Unwillingness to accept human qualities. 2- Unwillingness to accept change. 3- Unwillingness to follow instruction. 4- Unwillingness to be totally committed.

Elder Featherstone Elder Featherstone tells of a young man who came to him for a mission interview. Elder Featherstone inquired as to the young man’s transgressions. In a haughty manner the young man replied, “there isn’t anything I haven’t done.” Elder Featherstone inquired about specifics— morals, drugs, and so on. Again he replied, “I told you I have done everything.” Elder Featherstone asked, “What makes you think you’re going on a mission?” “Because I have repented,” came the reply. “I haven’t done any of these things for a year.” Elder Featherstone then looked at the young man across the table—twenty- one years of age—sarcastic, haughty, with an attitude far removed from sincere repentance. “My dear young friend,” he said, “I’m sorry to tell you this, but you are not going on a mission…you shouldn’t have been ordained an elder and you really should have been tried for your membership in the Church. What you’ve committed is a series of monumental transgressions. You haven’t repented; you’ve just stopped doing something. Someday, after you have been to Gethsemane and back, you’ll understand what true repentance is.” At this, the young man started to cry. It lasted for about five minutes. There was no exchange of words, only silence. Then he left Elder Featherstone’ office.

Elder Featherstone Cont. About six months later, Elder Featherstone was speaking to an institute group in Arizona. Following the meeting he saw this same young man walking up the aisle towards him, and the details of the interview flashed though his mind. Elder Featherstone reached down from the podium to shake his hand. As the young man looked up, Elder Featherstone could see that something wonderful had taken place in his life. Tears streamed down the young man’s cheeks and an almost holy glow came from his countenance. “You’ve been there, haven’t you?” asked Elder Featherstone. Through the tears he said, “Yes, Bishop Featherstone, I’ve been to Gethsemane and back.” “I know,” Elder Featherstone replied. “It shows in your face. I believe now that the Lord has forgiven you.”