Wheat and Tares

March 11, 2024

Wheat and Tares

The Savior taught (Matthew 13:24-30):

• 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
•  25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
•  26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
•  27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
•  28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
•  29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
•  30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

How does this parable apply to us? We all know what wheat is but do we understand the meaning of the "tares"? Think of your own garden.  You plant seedlings but, unfortunately, sometimes weeds (tares) appear alongside the vegetables and fruits.

In the parable, the "Sower" represents Jesus Christ and His Apostles. The "good seed" (wheat) represents the followers of Jesus.  The "field" is the world.  The "enemy" is the adversary. The "tares" (weeds) represent the followers of the adversary.  The "reapers" are angels.  The "harvest" is the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• President Joseph Fielding Smith pointed out that “even in the Church the tares are to be found. It is the tares which are to be gathered up and burned from all over the world, but those in the Church will also be gathered out and find their place in the fire. [Doctrine & Covenants 112:23–26] False doctrines or individuals who present themselves as faithful members of the Church but are in reality servants of Satan are a source of temptation to the faithful and tend to choke or corrupt the word of God, or the good seed that is sown. 

The more we study the words of Christ, the more we begin to understand.  When in doubt about the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we can find out for ourselves through prayer.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught during the October 2013 General Conference:

• Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. [Come, Join with Us]

Compiled by Kartchner Smith

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March Gladness

March 4, 2024

During the first few days of March 2024, my mother turned 93, our youngest grandchild turned ten, and our oldest grandchild turned 26.

My mother has always been my Best Friend.  She set a positive example of patience, understanding, and love which I hope I've passed on to my own children.

Besides our youngest grandchild and oldest very grandchild, we have four other grandchildren. They are each amazing to us with their own distinct personalities.

Our grandchildren have a wonderful heritage. Ancestors of both my mother and father crossed the plains to settle in the Salt Lake Valley.

Our grandchildren will blaze their own trail.

The decisions they make as they grow up will determine their eternal destiny.

As their Grandparents, we feel an overwhelming responsibility to them. Raising children in this century, is much more challenging than when we were raising children.

If we can be a source of help to our children as they raise their own children, we are ready—as much as we can be in this very different world.

Although their upbringing will be up to their parents, we know we also need to set an example and be a positive influence in the lives of our grandchildren.

However, for now we will just enjoy their sweetness and let the future take care of itself. Having been a mother for 52 years, I know all too well how quickly time passes.

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