garden of the heart

Matthew 13:1-21; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:5-15

Parables are allegorical stories which point to gospel doctrines and truths. Jesus taught in parables so that those ready to receive His message, His disciples, could understand it. Additionally, they were meant to conceal these truths to contentious unbelievers and enemies.

In the parable of the sower, we are taught through every day objects and actions some profound gospel truths. The seeds that fell on the wayside did not sprout, because birds ate them. Having no roots, the seeds in the stony soil withered away. When seeds fell among thorns, they were choked to death.

If we heard this parable and did not understand, we might think it was a speech on gardening. Actually, it contains good advice for the gardener. Some seeking truth might ask questions and try to understand the greater meaning. Jesus invites us to do just that, to hear with spiritual ears. Veiled in its teachings the sower bores and confuses those that have eyes but do not see and have ears and do not hear--contentious unbelievers and enemies of His gospel.

The seed is the word of God. The act of preparing soil, planting, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting by the harvester is the actions we must take in our hearts. Whether the seed grows into hope, faith, and testimony depends full upon our preparation and work. Rebellion, listening to the wrong master, lukewarm commitment, allowing offense, seeking worldly pleasures and accolades, and slothfulness will surely keep the word of God from growing in our hearts.

"The multitude...received not His saying...because they were not willing to see with their eyes, and hear with their ears; not because they could not, and were not privileged to see and hear, but because their hears were full of iniquity and abominations...The very reason why the multitude...did not receive an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief." Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, JFS, 96-97