"12 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."
Joseph Smith loved the Bible, and poured and pondered over it, learning Hebrew and Greek to allow him to study manuscripts earlier than King James. Through study and inspiration he clarified a number of passages that had changed over time, and brought back their original meaning. The Joseph Smith Translation for this verse is:
JST Matt. 13:10–11 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.
I like how this clarification ties back to the parable of the soils right before. When our hearts are open to receive, the soil in our hearts is prepared, and the Lord can add insight upon insight as we grow. But when we have stony hearts and turn a deaf ear to the Lord's guidance, we will not be given more, we may even lose memory of things we have known in the past.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Monday, April 13, 2015
Matthew 13 The Parable of the Sower
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown, He who has ears, let him hear."
13:10 "The disciples came to him and asked, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?'"
Jesus spoke in parables because they are open to many interpretations but with one meaning. This is true to the nature of God, for there is one path but many languages and cues that we receive through the Spirit and gospel on how to get there. This is similar to what you and Scott were saying about how a group under one umbrella will have different perspectives on a problem after praying, but ultimately the same goal. This message has several meanings to me. The first I thought of involved the church as being the soil or conditions in which the Word is taught. And with a good church the seeds that God planted will grow in our lives and we will be enriched and also able to spread the good to others. Then I also thought of the soil as being different conditions in the world such as sinful opposition, outside persecution and peer pressure and the attraction of the world's pleasures. And the gospel as the seeds that take root and how with these poor conditions, nothing grows or is cut off and with a healthy condition or mindset, the gospel takes root and flourishes. With spring here this parable sprang to mind for it is such. With the connection to your thoughts earlier Melissa, God will forgive as many times as we will repent and the seasons will bring life as many times as the Earth turns.
13:10 "The disciples came to him and asked, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?'"
Jesus spoke in parables because they are open to many interpretations but with one meaning. This is true to the nature of God, for there is one path but many languages and cues that we receive through the Spirit and gospel on how to get there. This is similar to what you and Scott were saying about how a group under one umbrella will have different perspectives on a problem after praying, but ultimately the same goal. This message has several meanings to me. The first I thought of involved the church as being the soil or conditions in which the Word is taught. And with a good church the seeds that God planted will grow in our lives and we will be enriched and also able to spread the good to others. Then I also thought of the soil as being different conditions in the world such as sinful opposition, outside persecution and peer pressure and the attraction of the world's pleasures. And the gospel as the seeds that take root and how with these poor conditions, nothing grows or is cut off and with a healthy condition or mindset, the gospel takes root and flourishes. With spring here this parable sprang to mind for it is such. With the connection to your thoughts earlier Melissa, God will forgive as many times as we will repent and the seasons will bring life as many times as the Earth turns.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Matthew 11:28 Rest for the Weary
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Yokes are oppressive when the ones in charge are harsh and cruel, but Christ's commands are not so- I have seen many people who live in unrest with a heavy yoke yet are wealthy in the world. And I've seen those who strive for survival and yet are at peace in fellowship with each other in Christ.
Yokes are oppressive when the ones in charge are harsh and cruel, but Christ's commands are not so- I have seen many people who live in unrest with a heavy yoke yet are wealthy in the world. And I've seen those who strive for survival and yet are at peace in fellowship with each other in Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)