THINGS

SHEEP'S GATE

I love a good story, don’t you? A good story will cause you to remember the” good old days”, or it can take you back to a special place in times past. But a story that is taught in a parable, is a lesson taught and aided by the Holy Spirit in order to “bring all things to our remembrance.” What are these things? The dictionary defines a “thing” as: a material object without life or consciousness; an inanimate object. 2 some entity, object, or creature that is not or cannot be specifically designated.

But the Father defines “things” in D&C 101:34 as things most precious, things that are above and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth and upon the earth and in heaven.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.

To put this in a more grounded perspective; a portion of these “things” in our sphere is composed of all that we have learned of the gospel, and all of the worldly knowledge we have accumulated.  Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God and his servants is for our learning and nourishment and growth.

So why did the Savior teach parables to the Jews in Jerusalem; and  do we need parables today? In Psalms 12:6 the words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 

I’d like to think that the Savior’s purpose was to attempt to “sharpen their ears” to hear the truth; and in that sharpening which is like the refining process of silver, to send through the fire until the “dross or waste material” is burned away.

Proverbs 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the (re)finer.

If their ears could open to hear his words, then their hearts would be healed and softened so that they could understand the meaning of his words and that they would “Come unto Him”.

Ether 4: 15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.

I would ask that do we as modern believers, even latter day members of the House of Israel, do we as a people need parables?  This verse from Ether in the Book of Mormon speaks directly to us, said disciples of Christ, modern believers.  I ask myself often about the state of my heart; is my heart "softened" enough to hear the voice of my Savior? Or is my heart kinda crusty around the edges? I pray not to deceive my self concerning my own shortcomings. A quote from the movie about Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration, was that the Lord called Joseph in his weakness to do His work. I have always wondered about the meaning. But as in Ether, God calls us as we are, in our human frailties, in all of our issues and things and stuff. In our weakness's he doesn't hold them against us, but if we are willing to have him work with us, He will turn a weakness; perceived or otherwise into a strength. Blessed are the meek, for their reward is the kingdom of Heaven, the journey to the veil begins with simple stories, little things that speak to our souls.

"The Good Shepherd"

“A simple story used to illustrate and teach a spiritual truth or principle. A parable is based on comparing an ordinary object or event to a truth and the underlying meaning or message of a parable is often hidden to listeners who are not spiritually prepared to receive it.”