Chapter 13—Planting the Word
Once the soil of belief is prepared, the seed of faith may take root. A seed is a producer and a product, offering potential generation (and regeneration) of life. We cannot generate our own divine power any more than we can force a seed to sprout. With faith even the size of a mustard seed, the least of all, nothing is impossible. The kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed.
Faith begins when we are willing to letting go of our erring beliefs and traditions long enough to find truth. As we work through unbelief, the soil in our heart is softened sufficiently to plant the seed of truth in our heart. “Give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart . . . Do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord” (Alma 32:28).
When our beliefs and actions align with God’s will and we are proven true and faithful, we will be sanctified. To be true and faithful requires us to find truth and remain faithful to it. Adam was given more light and knowledge only after he was true and faithful to what God revealed. To become a tree of life, the seed must be nourished by “true points of Christ’s doctrine” (3 Nephi 21:6).
Many could have salvation if they asked God for truth. The Nephites would have been spared utter destruction if they had asked God if the warnings to repent were from Him, or if their beliefs had become corrupted. Lehi would not have been forced to flee Jerusalem prior to its destruction if Jerusalem’s leaders and people had inquired of God to know if Lehi prophesied truth. Noah would have no need for an ark if mankind had sought counsel from God. Yet today covenant makers still rely on men. “The very reason why the multitude, or the world, as they were designated by the Savior, did not receive an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief.” Jesus publicly preached in parable but the interpretation only came by asking Him. When asked,
Group One. The first group’s seed “fell by the way side” near the path. The seed was “trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it” (Luke 8:5). The imagery points to hard hearts that do not understand but refuse to believe. Even if soil originally was good, being trampled with wayward traditions or error hardens it, rendering it unfit to give root. Without a “desire to believe” (Alma 32:27), truth cannot penetrate a hard heart.
Because the word is not planted “in their hearts,” seed on hardened paths remains superficial at best, not penetrating and leaving them untransformed by His word. This group represents those who have the gospel but do not believe God or understand His word. Many do not know His voice and fall by the wayside. While open to (or active in) religion, they are hardly recognized as enemies to God or despisers of truth. Their nearness to the path deceives them into believing they are accepted.
Moving forward in our own endeavors does not lead to fruitful ends. Hardened hearts resemble a path “beaten hard and flat by the constant passing to and fro of wishes of the flesh, thoughts concerning earthly things, mere sordid hopes and fears. Into these hearts, the Word can never really penetrate” while evil awaits its moment to snatch the seed before it takes root. “When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside” (Matthew 13:19).
Distracted by pleasure or worldly pursuits, the busy-ness of life leaves their senses untuned to His voice. “Assiduous attention to business, social calls, and worldly affairs renders them unreceptive to spiritual truth,” permitting Satan to “come immediately and take away the word that was sown in their hearts” (Mark 4:15). The adversary will use any means necessary—deception, persuasion, distraction, or reformation—to devour the seed of truth. He works tirelessly to destroy seed of the careless “lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12).
Group Two. This next group’s seed “fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture” (Luke 8:6). Because this “stony ground . . . had not much earth” and its soil “had no depth,” the seed “had no root,” was “scorched” by the sun, and “withered away” (Mark 4:5–6). It “did not take root in the soil and did not produce heads of grain” (Gospel of Thomas 9:3). Without depth, there is little chance to progress. When the heat of temptation and trial come, the deprived soil quickly dries, causing a potentially fruitful seed to wither. They do not fall away from their manner of worship. Still devoted to their way, they originally received His word “with joy” (Matthew 13:20) but have slid farther from His path, believing they are secure but having no root. Only repentance reverses a falling away.
With unchanged natures and without understanding, this group is unable and unwilling to endure the journey. They “withered,” which is to “fall away” (Luke 8:6, 13). Enemies to God “will be devoured and your fruit destroyed and you will be left like a withered tree” (Sirach 6:3). Jude compares “trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots” (Jude 1:12) to those in darkness who are wicked and defiled. Those who follow Him “shall not wither” (Psalm 1:3).
There are no blessings without faith. Having “no root” (Luke 8:13), they cannot nourish “the plant of truth” (1 Enoch 93:2). Without root, a seed cannot thrive, being unable to draw water from a stony foundation— a hard heart that has not turned to Him. A seed that “has been planted away from the Father . . . is not strong. It will be pulled up by its root and will perish” (Gospel of Thomas 40:1–2). To “bear fruit and become a splendid vine,” we must be “planted in good soil by abundant water” (Ezekiel 17:8, NIV). Those who “lack moisture” (Luke 8:6) are condemned.
Qumran required its community to “abstain from all evil, hold fast to all good.” With those who “held fast to the commandments of God He made His covenant with Israel forever, revealing to them the hidden things in which all Israel had gone astray . . . He built them a sure house in Israel whose like has never existed from former times until now. Those who hold fast to it are destined to live forever and all the glory of Adam shall be theirs.” But instead of watching, holding to righteousness, or believing sound doctrine, many hold fast to error. Holding fast to God’s word is our only sure defense against losing our crown.
Although they initially did “receive the word with joy,” when strict obedience or sacrifice is required, their zealousness wanes fast because they “have no root, for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13). Temptation takes various forms, including compromise.
Early leaders were greatly concerned the restored church would compromise to gain acceptance of the world. By 1938, LDS leaders no longer worried about persecution and applauded the “friendship . . . and high regard” felt “among many classes of people at home and abroad toward the LDS church.” By 2011, the LDS attained such acceptance that LDS president Thomas S. Monson was named by the USA Today/Gallup poll in the “top 10 most admired men” in the nation. Christ declared, “Wo unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26). Once they are
He who “is without root is in confusion and when a little trouble and distress come to them, Satan causes [them] to forget from their heart . . . the word of God and he makes no fruit.” Only by “remember[ing] to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments” will we receive deliverance, “wisdom, great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures,” including power to “run and not be weary . . . walk and not faint” (D&C 89:18–20).
Group Three. The first group is in unbelief. The second lacks depth to take root. The third group’s seed falls in fertile ground and begins to grow but an enemy “scattered grass seed in with the good seed” (Gospel of Thomas 57:2). As good seed “fell among thorns, the thorns sprang up with it and choked it” (Luke 8:7) so “it yielded no fruit” (Mark 4:7). The Hebrew says “thorns grew and darkened it.” That thorns cause a sprouting seed to lose light is significant. A shoot is challenged to not be stifled or affected by the thorns’ presence, pressure, or domination.
Earth was “very good” (Genesis 1:31) when worthy of God’s presence but transgression cursed the ground. Soil that once freely yielded delightful crop could now bring forth that which hinders growth: “thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee” (Genesis 3:18). We cannot permanently eradicate thorns if we do not till the soil to expose what is hidden beneath, so much laboring—heavy toil by the sweat of our brow —is required for a good harvest. Men are “to till the earth” to bear fruit, breaking up hardness of hearts and unbelief. Noah was “a man of the soil” who did “cultivate the ground” (Genesis 9:20, NIV, NLT).
Soil must be worked to soften our heart and expose harmful threats to eternal life. “Break up your fallow ground and sow not among thorns” (Jeremiah 4:3). Fallow means untilled. We are to break up hard ground in our hearts by working through unbelief that the seed can take root.
God asks us to exchange hard hearts and misbeliefs for a heart that is broken or tilled. “Plow the hard ground of your hearts!” (Jeremiah 4:3, NLT). Hearts harden by trampling His word, “lay[ing] aside these things . . . setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world” (Alma 5:53), and “hearken[ing] not to the voice of his counsels” (1 Nephi 19:7).
It is significant that, in cruel mockery, Jesus wore a crown of thorns. Thorns symbolize imperfection and the entrance of sin into the world, the very conditions for which Jesus came to atone. Thorns are improperly developed and not part of the original creation.
Discernment is needed. “Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:16). “By their deeds ye shall know them.”
Thorns may distract, persecute, or hinder us but they cannot prevent us from greater things if we remain faithful. A thorn represents a person in scripture. “Be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee . . . Be not afraid of their words nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 2:6). Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The thorn was a resister of truth, “the messenger of Satan,” who tested him, but Paul endured by relying on the Lord.
Communing with God is not foremost priority of this third group so they do not protect His precious word from outside influence. Other ‘gods’ become more important than strict adherence to the Word. Eventually thorns overpower and choke the seed by shutting out the light and air needed for continued growth. To choke, sumpnigó (G4846), is to join or identify with, or figuratively to exert pressure to cut off breath or spirit. This group “heareth the word” but succumbs to temptations that distract and “choke the word” (Matthew 13:22).
They “are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14). God is a priority of theirs, but He is not first in their life. “The cares of the world cause [us] to reject the word” (D&C 40:2). Believing they are secure because they are religious, they fail to progress spiritually so admonition comes, “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (Luke 21:34).
Many are overcome by the “deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22), believing that when “man gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases,” it is a sign of God’s favor. “The ungodly prosper in the world; they increase in riches” (Psalm 73:12), like wicked Sodom. They “were the wealthy men of prosperity on account of the good and fruitful land whereon they dwelt. For every need which the world requires they obtained therefrom . . . They did not trust in the shadow of their Creator, but they trusted in the multitude of their wealth, for wealth thrusts aside its owners from the fear of Heaven.”
Riches give a false sense of security to those who trust them instead of the Lord. A fool “layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). “They do harden their hearts and do forget the Lord their God and do trample under their feet the Holy One . . . because of their ease and their exceedingly great prosperity” (Helaman 12:2). “Woe to you, sinners,” Enoch said, “for your riches make you appear to be righteous but your heart convicts you of being sinners . . . You err! Your wealth will not remain, but will quickly ascend from you . . . You will be delivered to a great curse” (1 Enoch 96:4, 97:10). “His wealth will not follow him. Though he praises himself during his lifetime—and people praise you when you do well for yourself—he . . . will never see the light” and perish “without understanding” (Psalm 49:17–20, HCSB). Only when faced with utter destruction will some recognize their foolishness.
Jesus knew the pull of material possessions and security would be a tremendous challenge for almost all. A rich man who performed many admirable works could not forsake his wealth and forfeited eternal life.
Nibley describes the parable as “a drama in three acts.” At the time of the latter-day restoration, the Lord was “beginning to bring forth the word” (D&C 86:4) but no sooner was the seed planted than tares were sown. Satan “soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness” (D&C 86:3).
Like thorns, tares grow “while men slept” (Matthew 13:25). This includes apostles who “have fallen asleep” instead of watching as they were charged to do (D&C 86:2).
Reformation that is more appealing or convenient than what God requires is often welcome by the masses, but modification is a subtle substitute for the difficult but only path He can accept. Tares accept imitative religion that claims to make us heirs of God’s kingdom but His power is not with them. Paul warns against doctrines devils teach that cannot bring salvation. Devils believe in God, but do not obey or have faith in Him. Deception brings damnation and destruction. Counterfeit religions that profess His authority provide all who seek discipleship a great test of discernment.
Wheat has power in priesthood, being called and elected by God’s own voice. These “holy men that ye know not of” (D&C 49:8) are hidden from the world but known to Him. “The world knoweth us not because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1). The wheat are misunderstood, cast out, or overlooked while tares transform themselves to appear as “ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15).
The days of Adam, Enoch, Noah, Lehi, Paul, Joseph, and others were filled with the same conflict between error and truth, evil and good, reform and righteousness, ambition and ascension. Paul prophesied “in the last days, perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1) when the kingdom is filled with “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are . . . always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:4, 6–7, NIV).
Those in unbelief “resist the Spirit of the Lord” and “the truth. Men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith” required to access His power (2 Timothy 3:8). Reprobate, adikimos (G96b), means to fail a test, be disqualified, or not approved. Joseph said, “There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance and in the resurrection they will find their mistake.” Accumulating worldly honors or wealth profits little in the end if they have only built a kingdom of men. God’s kingdom exists only among those who receive divine blessings and bear His name in power. Joseph explained,
The world must be purged of evil so the kingdom of God can reign. Many believe the kingdom of God is synonymous with the church. They assume a restored church can never lose priesthood or stray from His gospel, but this is not what God revealed. A church must be built on His gospel or they will be “hewn down and cast into the fire,” the same fate awaiting tares (3 Nephi 27:11). While a church may still stand, His kingdom and power will be removed from any people, church, or nation who does not seek Him and refuses His power.
Seeking to implement our own version of His gospel makes us heretics and hypocrites. “Love the truth and walk in it; but do not draw near to the truth with a double heart, and do not associate with those of a double heart, but walk in righteousness” (1 Enoch 91:4). Those “with a double heart . . . speak vanity” (Psalm 12:1–2). This results when our
All must choose a life of sin or sainthood; between obeying commandments of men or God; between being a friend of the world or God. This third group desires the sacred but tolerates the profane so ultimately they are overcome. For most, the cost of discipleship—forsaking the world—is too great a price to pay, even for those who profess to love the gospel. Paul lamented that some disciples “loved this present world” more (2 Timothy 4:10).
Jesus warns against temptations of the world. Busy-ness, works of men, and attitudes of ease distract from the real issue that there is competition in our hearts for the space meant to be occupied by His word. “The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). Because faith is a principle of action and power (LF 1:13), our actions reflect our beliefs. The effect of belief is obedience so if a belief system changes, apathy and apostasy increase. Satan wants changes in doctrine so faith cannot grow.
Group Four. The last group’s hearts are soften and spirits free from counterfeits. Their seed “fell on good soil and it brought forth a good crop. It yielded” good fruit in measure (Gospel of Thomas 9:5).
When humble outcasts asked Alma “how they should plant the seed or the word of which he had spoken, which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith” (Alma 33:1), they were taught to believe Christ’s word. A seed’s survival depends on being nourished by faith. The faithful surmount obstacles, overcome temptation, discern well, are not affected by thorns, and advance nearer to God. They realize they need Him as they “sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79).
Few in number, this group does not change, excuse, suppress, expand, minimize, or oppose His word. Knowing that to endure shame of the world is an honor, they choose the path that leads to eternal life.
True faith reveals itself by what it produces, setting apart the faithful who overcome. “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit” and “by this My Father is glorified” (John 15:2, 8). Fruit is an outward manifestation of “goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:9). With “an honest and good heart, having heard the word [these] keep it and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).
His word produces a hardy plant that endures, having strength to proclaim repentance and expose wickedness and sin wherever it may be found. “Converted unto the true faith . . . [they] would not depart from it, for they were firm and steadfast and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments” (3 Nephi 6:14).
Without faith, wickedness prevails and gifts and knowledge cease. Any departure or deviation from His divine law is the mark of wickedness and “the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matthew 21:43). Mormon, who was able to attain knowledge of God in spite of the severe wickedness of his day, declares these truths in chiasm.
Jesus hoped His parable would prick our hearts to remove all that inhibits the seed of truth from taking root. His four groups represent those who reject the word immediately, those who accept it quickly but without understanding, those who accept it but weaken in adversity, and those who endure to the end. Having a passionate start does not ensure a glorious finish unless we hold fast to His word.
This last group, being true and faithful, obtains a “fulness of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Endurance requires patience, perseverance in opposition, commitment to God and His way, and knowing He will not forsake us as we are faithful. As we live His gospel, we bring forth fruit meet for His kingdom. Through “growing up and increasing” in strength (Mark 4:8, ESV), we obtain “perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel” to “be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 9:23).
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Faith begins when we are willing to letting go of our erring beliefs and traditions long enough to find truth. As we work through unbelief, the soil in our heart is softened sufficiently to plant the seed of truth in our heart. “Give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart . . . Do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord” (Alma 32:28).
Awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words. (Alma 32:27)“The whole earth would be utterly wasted” if truth and the promises of His gospel are not planted “in the hearts” (JS–History 1:39). The seed is planted as our heart turns to God.
When our beliefs and actions align with God’s will and we are proven true and faithful, we will be sanctified. To be true and faithful requires us to find truth and remain faithful to it. Adam was given more light and knowledge only after he was true and faithful to what God revealed. To become a tree of life, the seed must be nourished by “true points of Christ’s doctrine” (3 Nephi 21:6).
Plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. (Alma 33:23)Those who delight “in the law of the Lord . . . shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season. His leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:2–3), but not every seed is fruitful. In parable Jesus described four responses to God’s word.
A sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up. Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:3–9)This parable was delivered at a time when Jesus had to preach from a ship because of the great multitudes. While many professed a desire to hear Him, Jesus knew only the few with “an honest and good heart” would receive His word (Luke 8:15). After the Pharisees accused Jesus of being evil, He spoke in parable to conceal truth from the unprepared. Veiling truths in parable signified nearing judgment and served as a sign of the people’s unbelief. Even among those who came to hear, He observed the shallow nature of their hearts and knew “there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.” Jesus asked “the twelve, Will ye also go away?” Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:64–68).
Many could have salvation if they asked God for truth. The Nephites would have been spared utter destruction if they had asked God if the warnings to repent were from Him, or if their beliefs had become corrupted. Lehi would not have been forced to flee Jerusalem prior to its destruction if Jerusalem’s leaders and people had inquired of God to know if Lehi prophesied truth. Noah would have no need for an ark if mankind had sought counsel from God. Yet today covenant makers still rely on men. “The very reason why the multitude, or the world, as they were designated by the Savior, did not receive an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief.” Jesus publicly preached in parable but the interpretation only came by asking Him. When asked,
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 hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, 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. (Matthew 13:10–13)This parable is a warning not just to unbelievers, but to those who hear “the word of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:19). It is easy to believe that once we are members of a church we can relax our conduct or be assured of a favorable spiritual standing, thinking we are already chosen. All four groups had His word, but which group we belong to is determined by how we respond to Christ and His gospel. Whether our foundation is built on God’s word or philosophies of men determines how fertile our soil (or soft our heart) is.
Group One. The first group’s seed “fell by the way side” near the path. The seed was “trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it” (Luke 8:5). The imagery points to hard hearts that do not understand but refuse to believe. Even if soil originally was good, being trampled with wayward traditions or error hardens it, rendering it unfit to give root. Without a “desire to believe” (Alma 32:27), truth cannot penetrate a hard heart.
Because the word is not planted “in their hearts,” seed on hardened paths remains superficial at best, not penetrating and leaving them untransformed by His word. This group represents those who have the gospel but do not believe God or understand His word. Many do not know His voice and fall by the wayside. While open to (or active in) religion, they are hardly recognized as enemies to God or despisers of truth. Their nearness to the path deceives them into believing they are accepted.
Moving forward in our own endeavors does not lead to fruitful ends. Hardened hearts resemble a path “beaten hard and flat by the constant passing to and fro of wishes of the flesh, thoughts concerning earthly things, mere sordid hopes and fears. Into these hearts, the Word can never really penetrate” while evil awaits its moment to snatch the seed before it takes root. “When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside” (Matthew 13:19).
Distracted by pleasure or worldly pursuits, the busy-ness of life leaves their senses untuned to His voice. “Assiduous attention to business, social calls, and worldly affairs renders them unreceptive to spiritual truth,” permitting Satan to “come immediately and take away the word that was sown in their hearts” (Mark 4:15). The adversary will use any means necessary—deception, persuasion, distraction, or reformation—to devour the seed of truth. He works tirelessly to destroy seed of the careless “lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12).
That wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth through disobedience from the children of men because of the tradition of their fathers. (D&C 93:39)“Those by the way side are they that hear” (Luke 8:12) but fail to consider “the word of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:19), permitting darkness to rule. These never got beyond hearing the word. Being careless with truth, not awakening, or being unreceptive removes truth and light from us, so discernment is essential. If we do not care enough to ask God or believe Him, our minds will be darkened. Without truth or light, we are left unchanged so demise is certain. “We bring [destruction] upon us by our own transgressions” (Alma 46:18).
Group Two. This next group’s seed “fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture” (Luke 8:6). Because this “stony ground . . . had not much earth” and its soil “had no depth,” the seed “had no root,” was “scorched” by the sun, and “withered away” (Mark 4:5–6). It “did not take root in the soil and did not produce heads of grain” (Gospel of Thomas 9:3). Without depth, there is little chance to progress. When the heat of temptation and trial come, the deprived soil quickly dries, causing a potentially fruitful seed to wither. They do not fall away from their manner of worship. Still devoted to their way, they originally received His word “with joy” (Matthew 13:20) but have slid farther from His path, believing they are secure but having no root. Only repentance reverses a falling away.
This goes to the very heart of religious deception. Religion offers traditions, rituals, systematic teaching, rules, programs, activities, empty promises, entertainment . . . The purpose of these things is two-fold. The first, and most important, is to gain people’s loyalty and participation in order to perpetuate the religious institution.
The second is to dispense some knowledge about God. Individual experience with a personal God is almost never mentioned. Group activity and common thought is the order of the day. In fact, religion has convinced most of its followers that mere knowledge is the only possibility; real personal experience with God is out of the question. These people have no root, no practical experiences with God, no reality of God in their lives. So, when trouble comes, either from circumstances (tribulation) or from other people (persecution), they move on . . . They lack the spiritual strength they need in their lives to face the opposition and difficulties that are sure to come to test the reality of their faith.Many stumble and do not understand because they do not ask. Such conditions grieved Nephi. “I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be” (2 Nephi 32:7).
With unchanged natures and without understanding, this group is unable and unwilling to endure the journey. They “withered,” which is to “fall away” (Luke 8:6, 13). Enemies to God “will be devoured and your fruit destroyed and you will be left like a withered tree” (Sirach 6:3). Jude compares “trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots” (Jude 1:12) to those in darkness who are wicked and defiled. Those who follow Him “shall not wither” (Psalm 1:3).
There are no blessings without faith. Having “no root” (Luke 8:13), they cannot nourish “the plant of truth” (1 Enoch 93:2). Without root, a seed cannot thrive, being unable to draw water from a stony foundation— a hard heart that has not turned to Him. A seed that “has been planted away from the Father . . . is not strong. It will be pulled up by its root and will perish” (Gospel of Thomas 40:1–2). To “bear fruit and become a splendid vine,” we must be “planted in good soil by abundant water” (Ezekiel 17:8, NIV). Those who “lack moisture” (Luke 8:6) are condemned.
If we have hardened our hearts against the word insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned. For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God . . . He has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance. (Alma 12:13–15)We must “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23). To hold fast is to remain steadfast, loyal, and preserve what is given. “That which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Revelation 2:25). “We are made partakers of Christ if we hold . . . steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).
Qumran required its community to “abstain from all evil, hold fast to all good.” With those who “held fast to the commandments of God He made His covenant with Israel forever, revealing to them the hidden things in which all Israel had gone astray . . . He built them a sure house in Israel whose like has never existed from former times until now. Those who hold fast to it are destined to live forever and all the glory of Adam shall be theirs.” But instead of watching, holding to righteousness, or believing sound doctrine, many hold fast to error. Holding fast to God’s word is our only sure defense against losing our crown.
Whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. (1 Nephi 15:24)Trials prove if what sprouts from a seed has strength to endure the brutal conditions that can hinder its growth. Many with shallow testimonies or shaky foundations cannot stand the heat. They “heareth the word and readily with joy receiveth it; yet he hath no 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” (JST Matthew 13:19).
Although they initially did “receive the word with joy,” when strict obedience or sacrifice is required, their zealousness wanes fast because they “have no root, for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13). Temptation takes various forms, including compromise.
Early leaders were greatly concerned the restored church would compromise to gain acceptance of the world. By 1938, LDS leaders no longer worried about persecution and applauded the “friendship . . . and high regard” felt “among many classes of people at home and abroad toward the LDS church.” By 2011, the LDS attained such acceptance that LDS president Thomas S. Monson was named by the USA Today/Gallup poll in the “top 10 most admired men” in the nation. Christ declared, “Wo unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26). Once they are
in full fellowship with the world and receive no more persecution from them because they are one with them, in such an event we might bid farewell to the Holy Priesthood with all its blessings, privileges, and aids to exaltations . . .
When ‘Mormonism’ finds favor with the wicked in this land, it will have gone into the shade; but until the power of the Priesthood is gone, ‘Mormonism’ will never become popular with the wicked. When we see the time that we can willingly strike hands and have full fellowship with those who despise the Kingdom of God, know ye then that the Priesthood of the son of God is out of your possession.Although enthusiastic, this group imagines will be theirs, their understanding is shallow like their soil. They seek prosperity and popularity, but avoid persecution. They run but get weary, walk but will faint.
He who “is without root is in confusion and when a little trouble and distress come to them, Satan causes [them] to forget from their heart . . . the word of God and he makes no fruit.” Only by “remember[ing] to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments” will we receive deliverance, “wisdom, great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures,” including power to “run and not be weary . . . walk and not faint” (D&C 89:18–20).
Group Three. The first group is in unbelief. The second lacks depth to take root. The third group’s seed falls in fertile ground and begins to grow but an enemy “scattered grass seed in with the good seed” (Gospel of Thomas 57:2). As good seed “fell among thorns, the thorns sprang up with it and choked it” (Luke 8:7) so “it yielded no fruit” (Mark 4:7). The Hebrew says “thorns grew and darkened it.” That thorns cause a sprouting seed to lose light is significant. A shoot is challenged to not be stifled or affected by the thorns’ presence, pressure, or domination.
Earth was “very good” (Genesis 1:31) when worthy of God’s presence but transgression cursed the ground. Soil that once freely yielded delightful crop could now bring forth that which hinders growth: “thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee” (Genesis 3:18). We cannot permanently eradicate thorns if we do not till the soil to expose what is hidden beneath, so much laboring—heavy toil by the sweat of our brow —is required for a good harvest. Men are “to till the earth” to bear fruit, breaking up hardness of hearts and unbelief. Noah was “a man of the soil” who did “cultivate the ground” (Genesis 9:20, NIV, NLT).
Soil must be worked to soften our heart and expose harmful threats to eternal life. “Break up your fallow ground and sow not among thorns” (Jeremiah 4:3). Fallow means untilled. We are to break up hard ground in our hearts by working through unbelief that the seed can take root.
God asks us to exchange hard hearts and misbeliefs for a heart that is broken or tilled. “Plow the hard ground of your hearts!” (Jeremiah 4:3, NLT). Hearts harden by trampling His word, “lay[ing] aside these things . . . setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world” (Alma 5:53), and “hearken[ing] not to the voice of his counsels” (1 Nephi 19:7).
It is significant that, in cruel mockery, Jesus wore a crown of thorns. Thorns symbolize imperfection and the entrance of sin into the world, the very conditions for which Jesus came to atone. Thorns are improperly developed and not part of the original creation.
Thorns are among the most striking examples of failure on the part of nature to reach an ideal perfection. They are not essential organs, perfect parts, but in every case altered or abortive structures . . . A branch, owing to poverty of soil, or unfavorable circumstances, does not develop itself; it produces no twigs or leaves; it therefore assumes the spinous or thorny form . . . Leaves are also occasionally arrested in their development and changed into thorns . . .
The apple, the pear, and the plum tree in a wild state are thickly covered with thorns; but when reared in the shelter of the garden, and stimulated by all the elements most favorable for their full development, they lose these thorns, which become changed into leafy branches and blossoming and fruit-bearing buds . . . But when, on the other hand, he ceases to dress and keep the garden, nature regains her former supremacy, and brings back the cultivated plants to a wilder and more disordered condition than at first . . . The result is far worse than if he had never attempted to improve her at all.When wickedness rules “all the land shall become briers and thorns” (Isaiah 7:24). “Sow not among thorns” (Jeremiah 4:3). The slothful man’s way is “blocked with thorns” (Proverbs 15:19, NIV). Thorns are “the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them” (Proverbs 22:5). Apostasy and darkness are among His people. In “the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers” (Isaiah 32:13). In His vineyard “come up briers and thorns” (Isaiah 5:6). “The thorn and the thistle shall come upon their altars” (Hosea 10:8). The rebellious “abide not in” Him or His word and are served “a bitter cup” from the unacceptable fruits of their labors. The unrepentant “reap thorns . . . but shall not profit” (Jeremiah 12:13). “That which beareth thorns and briers is rejected and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:8). If His vineyard produces no fruit He “will lay it waste” (Isaiah 5:6). Thorns and briers will be devoured “in one day” (Isaiah 10:17).
Discernment is needed. “Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:16). “By their deeds ye shall know them.”
Grapes are not harvested from thorn bushes, nor are figs gathered from thistles, for they yield no fruit. A good person brings forth good from the storehouse; a bad person brings forth evil things from the corrupted storehouse in the heart. (Gospel of Thomas 45:1–3)God permits thorns to try us, to see if we are true to what He reveals. “Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of. They turn up some of the ill weeds onto the surface.”
Thorns may distract, persecute, or hinder us but they cannot prevent us from greater things if we remain faithful. A thorn represents a person in scripture. “Be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee . . . Be not afraid of their words nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house” (Ezekiel 2:6). Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The thorn was a resister of truth, “the messenger of Satan,” who tested him, but Paul endured by relying on the Lord.
Communing with God is not foremost priority of this third group so they do not protect His precious word from outside influence. Other ‘gods’ become more important than strict adherence to the Word. Eventually thorns overpower and choke the seed by shutting out the light and air needed for continued growth. To choke, sumpnigó (G4846), is to join or identify with, or figuratively to exert pressure to cut off breath or spirit. This group “heareth the word” but succumbs to temptations that distract and “choke the word” (Matthew 13:22).
They “are choked with cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life and bring no fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14). God is a priority of theirs, but He is not first in their life. “The cares of the world cause [us] to reject the word” (D&C 40:2). Believing they are secure because they are religious, they fail to progress spiritually so admonition comes, “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (Luke 21:34).
Many are overcome by the “deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22), believing that when “man gets rich, when the wealth of his house increases,” it is a sign of God’s favor. “The ungodly prosper in the world; they increase in riches” (Psalm 73:12), like wicked Sodom. They “were the wealthy men of prosperity on account of the good and fruitful land whereon they dwelt. For every need which the world requires they obtained therefrom . . . They did not trust in the shadow of their Creator, but they trusted in the multitude of their wealth, for wealth thrusts aside its owners from the fear of Heaven.”
Riches give a false sense of security to those who trust them instead of the Lord. A fool “layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). “They do harden their hearts and do forget the Lord their God and do trample under their feet the Holy One . . . because of their ease and their exceedingly great prosperity” (Helaman 12:2). “Woe to you, sinners,” Enoch said, “for your riches make you appear to be righteous but your heart convicts you of being sinners . . . You err! Your wealth will not remain, but will quickly ascend from you . . . You will be delivered to a great curse” (1 Enoch 96:4, 97:10). “His wealth will not follow him. Though he praises himself during his lifetime—and people praise you when you do well for yourself—he . . . will never see the light” and perish “without understanding” (Psalm 49:17–20, HCSB). Only when faced with utter destruction will some recognize their foolishness.
In the days of your poverty ye shall cry unto the Lord; and in vain shall ye cry, for your desolation is already come upon you, and your destruction is made sure . . . Yea, in that day ye shall say, O that we had remembered the Lord our God in the day that he gave us our riches, and then they would not have become slippery that we should lose them; for behold, our riches are gone from us . . . O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us; for behold the land is cursed, and all things are become slippery and we cannot hold them. (Helaman 13:32–33, 36)“Woe to you, rich, for in your riches you have trusted; from your riches you will depart because you have not remembered the Most High in the days of your riches. You have committed blasphemy and iniquity” (1 Enoch 94:7–8). “Ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head” (Helaman 13:38).
Jesus knew the pull of material possessions and security would be a tremendous challenge for almost all. A rich man who performed many admirable works could not forsake his wealth and forfeited eternal life.
How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:24–25)Immediately after giving the parable of the sower and seeds, Jesus taught the parable of the wheat and the tares. Tares, zizanion (G2215) or in Hebrew zonin, are darnel, a false grass that looks remarkably like wheat as it grows but is not distinguishable until the end. “When the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also” (Matthew 13:26). Only at harvest is it detected, but by then tares are so intermingled with wheat that its separation damages a tender shoot. A degenerate form of wheat, the Jerusalem Talmud says tares are named because they change and are unfaithful or disloyal.
Nibley describes the parable as “a drama in three acts.” At the time of the latter-day restoration, the Lord was “beginning to bring forth the word” (D&C 86:4) but no sooner was the seed planted than tares were sown. Satan “soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness” (D&C 86:3).
Like thorns, tares grow “while men slept” (Matthew 13:25). This includes apostles who “have fallen asleep” instead of watching as they were charged to do (D&C 86:2).
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is [that He will return]. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning, lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:33–37)To watch requires us to stay awake. The moment those entrusted do not live up to their responsibility to watch at all hours, tares will be sown to replace the word, although it takes time before it is exposed. Because the breach is not apparent, tares (like thorns) cause problems for future generations. Wheat and tares are permitted to “grow together until the harvest is fully ripe” (D&C 86:7). “While men slept his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way,” not God's (Matthew 13:25).
Reformation that is more appealing or convenient than what God requires is often welcome by the masses, but modification is a subtle substitute for the difficult but only path He can accept. Tares accept imitative religion that claims to make us heirs of God’s kingdom but His power is not with them. Paul warns against doctrines devils teach that cannot bring salvation. Devils believe in God, but do not obey or have faith in Him. Deception brings damnation and destruction. Counterfeit religions that profess His authority provide all who seek discipleship a great test of discernment.
Regardless of who or what men worship, the fact remains that they can only be as moral as their gods. Likewise, their faith is only as valid and their salvation is only as assured as their gods and religion are preserved in truth. A false faith may have a pragmatic value in time, but it is of questionable worth in eternity. Christ said the creeds are an abomination because they produced an abominable harvest of religious tares choking and obscuring the wheat of truth.Because wheat and tares grow together for a time, discerning them is not always easy. Tares like false religions mimic spirituality, priesthood, and worship. Tares do not seek God to know truth, are content with appearance, and presume to be chosen though they trust in flesh. They are “accepters of persons . . . hypocrites and men who know not God.”
Wheat has power in priesthood, being called and elected by God’s own voice. These “holy men that ye know not of” (D&C 49:8) are hidden from the world but known to Him. “The world knoweth us not because it knew him not” (1 John 3:1). The wheat are misunderstood, cast out, or overlooked while tares transform themselves to appear as “ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15).
The days of Adam, Enoch, Noah, Lehi, Paul, Joseph, and others were filled with the same conflict between error and truth, evil and good, reform and righteousness, ambition and ascension. Paul prophesied “in the last days, perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1) when the kingdom is filled with “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are . . . always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:4, 6–7, NIV).
Those in unbelief “resist the Spirit of the Lord” and “the truth. Men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith” required to access His power (2 Timothy 3:8). Reprobate, adikimos (G96b), means to fail a test, be disqualified, or not approved. Joseph said, “There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance and in the resurrection they will find their mistake.” Accumulating worldly honors or wealth profits little in the end if they have only built a kingdom of men. God’s kingdom exists only among those who receive divine blessings and bear His name in power. Joseph explained,
I say, in the name of the Lord, that the kingdom of God was set up on the earth from the days of Adam to the present time whenever there has been a righteous man on earth unto whom God revealed His word and gave power and authority to administer in His name. And where there is a priest of God—a minister who has power and authority from God to administer in the ordinances of the gospel and officiate in the priesthood of God—there is the kingdom of God. Where there is no kingdom of God there is no salvation. What constitutes the kingdom of God? Where there is a prophet, a priest, or a righteous man unto whom God gives His oracles; and where the oracles are not, there the kingdom of God is not.To bear fruit, faith’s seed must fall on soil prepared to build the kingdom of God where angels minister and dwell. Angels are “ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields” and unbelieving tares, but they must wait until the wheat is prepared. Then “they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all lawbreakers” (Matthew 13:41, ESV). “They will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil” (NIV), gathering “all things that offend and them which do iniquity” (KJV). The ASV reads “all things that cause stumbling” and Weymouth has “all who violate His laws.” Hebrew Matthew says those drawn into error will be “uproot[ed] from his kingdom,” confirming false prophets and apostasy exist within a setting He once authorized. The unfruitful and “every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13).
The world must be purged of evil so the kingdom of God can reign. Many believe the kingdom of God is synonymous with the church. They assume a restored church can never lose priesthood or stray from His gospel, but this is not what God revealed. A church must be built on His gospel or they will be “hewn down and cast into the fire,” the same fate awaiting tares (3 Nephi 27:11). While a church may still stand, His kingdom and power will be removed from any people, church, or nation who does not seek Him and refuses His power.
It is quite possible for these to enjoy great success and become the leaders of a church after the [true] apostles are gone (2 Timothy 4:2–5). This is the process the apostles and the Lord predicted—and it takes place without any break in historical continuity (the impostors make a great to-do about being legitimate heirs of the vineyard) and without the establishment of new churches . . . The heavenly inheritance can be lost, even to the saints; and no matter how they may seek it ‘carefully and with tears,’ once it is gone they shall ‘seek and not find.’ So ‘at the end, were they the real heirs, even if they perished?’Pride, vanity, and blindness lead us to believe we are immune from such things, but all are at risk. Joseph, speaking “with authority of the Priesthood” and “in the power of God,” said, “Notwithstanding this congregation profess to be Saints, yet I stand in the midst of all [kinds of] characters and classes of men . . . The Church must be cleansed, and I proclaim against all iniquity.” Without “fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom . . . there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion” (D&C 84:58).
See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. (Hebrews 12:25, ESV)All that men build can fail and fall. The first group does not consider God’s word. The second group is shallow in their understanding. The third fails to fully separate from the world. They attempt to serve two masters as they worship the true God alongside the god of this world. A divided heart keeps us from God. “If one is divided, one will be filled with darkness” (Gospel of Thomas 61:5). “A divided mind doubts and wavers in its faith, and . . . a division or separation between what he says and means (or between what he does and is) is discernible.”
Seeking to implement our own version of His gospel makes us heretics and hypocrites. “Love the truth and walk in it; but do not draw near to the truth with a double heart, and do not associate with those of a double heart, but walk in righteousness” (1 Enoch 91:4). Those “with a double heart . . . speak vanity” (Psalm 12:1–2). This results when our
will is divided—not decided for good and against evil, but now on one side, now on the other; serving God today, serving mammon tomorrow; very religious, and also very worldly. Such he is at the beginning, though not very obviously; such he will be more manifestly after the course of his religious career; such he will be to the end . . . He will keep up a profession of religion till he dies. His leaf will not wither—it will continue growing till it reach the ear; but the ear will be green when it should be ripe. In this sense is it said of him that ‘he becometh unfruitful.’ He bringeth forth fruit, but he bringeth ‘no fruit to perfection’.This trap lets us believe we are accepted while forsaking our responsibility to live a holy, unworldly life. We cannot have a heavenly home while being comfortable among the lures of this world. We must reject all the world is and offers—hidden thorns and deceptive weeds in all their varieties—and exchange it for godliness and eternal life.
All must choose a life of sin or sainthood; between obeying commandments of men or God; between being a friend of the world or God. This third group desires the sacred but tolerates the profane so ultimately they are overcome. For most, the cost of discipleship—forsaking the world—is too great a price to pay, even for those who profess to love the gospel. Paul lamented that some disciples “loved this present world” more (2 Timothy 4:10).
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)Not all are willing to bring forth fruit to perfection, as the first three groups demonstrate by their degrees of apostasy. While the third group may not entirely “fall away,” they do not hold to the word and endure to the end to bear “fruit to perfection” (Luke 8:14). Paul asks, “You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?” (Galatians 5:7, NLT), or “who did hinder you?” (KJV).
Jesus warns against temptations of the world. Busy-ness, works of men, and attitudes of ease distract from the real issue that there is competition in our hearts for the space meant to be occupied by His word. “The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Hebrews 4:2). Because faith is a principle of action and power (LF 1:13), our actions reflect our beliefs. The effect of belief is obedience so if a belief system changes, apathy and apostasy increase. Satan wants changes in doctrine so faith cannot grow.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me . . . They [seek] none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (Proverbs 1:28–31)“Fruit of their own way” leads to destruction or damnation. Without enough resolve, dedication, or commitment to let go of the world and hold fast to His word, this third group makes progress but fails to endure to the end. “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12, NLT). The choice is ours. Will we be spiritually ignorant, easily swayed, or claim authority while refusing the price of discipleship? Or will we receive God with all our heart and press forward through trial, persecution, thorns, and temptation to bear fruit?
Group Four. The last group’s hearts are soften and spirits free from counterfeits. Their seed “fell on good soil and it brought forth a good crop. It yielded” good fruit in measure (Gospel of Thomas 9:5).
When humble outcasts asked Alma “how they should plant the seed or the word of which he had spoken, which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith” (Alma 33:1), they were taught to believe Christ’s word. A seed’s survival depends on being nourished by faith. The faithful surmount obstacles, overcome temptation, discern well, are not affected by thorns, and advance nearer to God. They realize they need Him as they “sit in darkness and in the shadow of death” (Luke 1:79).
Few in number, this group does not change, excuse, suppress, expand, minimize, or oppose His word. Knowing that to endure shame of the world is an honor, they choose the path that leads to eternal life.
I saw the time that is to be after us, full of offenses and evils and sins and lying: and the men in that [time] will be crafty, perverse, and depraved, men that know not God and understand not the truth; but a few of them shall understand their God because of His works which they shall behold daily, those which are established in heaven, and those which are brought forth on earth; and they know the Lord.“Good ground” is in all who “heareth the word and understandeth it” (Matthew 13:23). After seed “fell on good ground, [it] did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred” (Mark 4:8). These variations of yielded fruit correspond to degrees of celestial glory that Joseph saw in vision. The less faithful inherit telestial or terrestrial glory. Having “fruit of the Spirit,” God’s spirit in us, is a cherished reward of a believer.
True faith reveals itself by what it produces, setting apart the faithful who overcome. “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit” and “by this My Father is glorified” (John 15:2, 8). Fruit is an outward manifestation of “goodness and righteousness and truth” (Ephesians 5:9). With “an honest and good heart, having heard the word [these] keep it and bring forth fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).
His word produces a hardy plant that endures, having strength to proclaim repentance and expose wickedness and sin wherever it may be found. “Converted unto the true faith . . . [they] would not depart from it, for they were firm and steadfast and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments” (3 Nephi 6:14).
Without faith, wickedness prevails and gifts and knowledge cease. Any departure or deviation from His divine law is the mark of wickedness and “the kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matthew 21:43). Mormon, who was able to attain knowledge of God in spite of the severe wickedness of his day, declares these truths in chiasm.
a But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land,Those of “strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness” (Moroni 7:30) obtain knowledge of God. Joseph said, “‘No man can say that Jesus is the Lord . . .’ (1 Corinthians 12:3) should be translated, ‘No man can know that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost’.”
b insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples and the
c work of miracles and healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people.
d and there were no gifts from the Lord,
e and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any
f because of their wickedness and unbelief.
g I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind,
h therefore I was visited of the Lord,
g’ and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus.
f’ And I did endeavor to preach unto this people,
e’ but my mouth was shut,
d’ and I was forbidden to preach unto them;
c’ for behold, they had wilfully rebelled against their God;
b’ and the beloved disciples were taken away out of the land,
a’ because of their iniquity.
Mormon 1:13–16
Jesus hoped His parable would prick our hearts to remove all that inhibits the seed of truth from taking root. His four groups represent those who reject the word immediately, those who accept it quickly but without understanding, those who accept it but weaken in adversity, and those who endure to the end. Having a passionate start does not ensure a glorious finish unless we hold fast to His word.
This last group, being true and faithful, obtains a “fulness of the stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Endurance requires patience, perseverance in opposition, commitment to God and His way, and knowing He will not forsake us as we are faithful. As we live His gospel, we bring forth fruit meet for His kingdom. Through “growing up and increasing” in strength (Mark 4:8, ESV), we obtain “perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel” to “be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 9:23).
For footnotes and references, click HERE.