Nourish the word and it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life – Alma 32:41 – Come, Follow Me Ponderize and Commentary
41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.
“We have been sent here to work out our individual salvation through the tests and challenges of daily life. We cannot do that by relying heavily upon the borrowed light of someone else’s testimony.” (Elder Donald L. Staheli, “Securing Our Testimonies”)
We must personally plant the seed or the word of God in our own hearts. But, planting the word in our hearts is not sufficient. It is like registering for college and then never attending any classes. No knowledge is gained, no degree will be obtained, and no transformation will occur. If you want the seed or word to grow into a tree and bear fruit, we must nourish it “by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof.“
When we look forward to something, we have hope in that thing, which further increases our faith. The greater our hope = an increased level of our faith and the greater our faith = an increased level of our hope. They feed off of each other, and lift each other to new heights, which leads to increased desire to take action to bring about that hope. As our faith and hope increases, so does our diligence and patience.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton, in his talk, “Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It,” wrote:
“The trial of our faith will always involve staying true to simple, daily practices of faith. Then, and only then, does He promise that we will receive the divine response for which we long. Only once we have proven our willingness to do what He asks without demanding to know the whens, the whys, and the hows do we “reap the rewards of [our] faith, and [our] diligence, and patience, and long-suffering.” (Alma 32:43)
Alma 32:42–43
42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
President Henry B. Eyring shared these insights:
“If you can look forward to such a day with enough desire born of testimony, you will be strengthened to resist the temptations of the world. Each time you choose to try to live more like the Savior, you will have your testimony strengthened. You will come in time to know for yourself that He is the Light of the World.
“You will come to feel light growing in your life. It will not come without effort. But it will come as your testimony grows and you choose to nurture it. Here is the sure promise from the Doctrine and Covenants: “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” Doctrine and Covenants 50:24
43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.
Oh how great shall be their rewards. I love the words of Joseph Smith:
“This is good doctrine. It tastes good. I can taste the principles of eternal life, and so can you. They are given to me by the revelations of Jesus Christ; and I know that when I tell you these words of eternal life as they are given to me, you taste them, and I know that you believe them. You say honey is sweet, and so do I. I can also taste the spirit of eternal life. I know it is good; and when I tell you of these things which were given me by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you are bound to receive them as sweet, and rejoice more and more.”
Let us resolve today to nurture the word with our great faith, diligence and patience, always looking forward with great hope to the rewards that will come, even the rewards of eternal life.
Alma 33:23
And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall 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. Amen.
Craig
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