Based on Alma Chapters 32-34 and 1 Nephi 11
The seed was planted and soon began to grow.
The gardener watched closely as a sprout began to show.
A lot depended on whether success or failure would be the fate
of a seed growing into a tree, providing fruit that would nourish
and be pleasing to the taste.
Two things for sure are what the seedling would need -
care and nourishment would be necessary for the planting to succeed.
The grower thought about how faith is much like a seed -
it can live or die by the amount of effort that is given heed.
If we compare a seed to the word of God and give it a place within us,
we will feel the swelling motions of the spirit in our breast.
What is this “word” that we can cultivate for our eternal benefit?
It is belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and his everlasting atonement.
(Alma 33: 22-23, 34: 6)
If we plant the word in our hearts, we will feel the influence of truth impressing,
an unmistakable sign that it is light and truth we are receiving.
If we do not cast out the word by our unbelief and resistance
it can produce a remarkable spiritual experience.
We know the word is good and true if it bears fruit after its kind -
if it enlarges our soul, enlightens our understanding and expands our minds.
And yet as a seedling, the word does not provide perfect knowledge –
constant faith and effort must be applied until the fruit is harvested.
If we cease to nourish our faith, our spiritual tree will wither and decay.
The roots will crumble and the branches fall away.
Our faith is increased and strengthened when we see the process proceed
but the experiment is not complete until we partake of the fruit of the tree.
In spiritual terms, the tree and its fruit often represent the love of God,
so joyous to the soul.
To enjoy the fruit of the tree continually should be our ultimate goal.
January 2023
Alma 32: 21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; thereforeif ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true…
Alma 32:28 Now, we will compare the wordunto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within
yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
Alma 32:33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.
Alma 32:41 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.
Alma 33: 22-23....then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. 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.
Jeffrey R. Holland, “Waiting on the Lord”, October 2020
“My beloved brothers and sisters, Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable. The path to holiness and happiness here and hereafter is a long and sometimes rocky one. It takes time and tenacity to walk it. But, of course, the reward for doing so is monumental. This truth is taught clearly and persuasively in the 32nd
chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. There this great high priest teaches that if the word of God is planted in our hearts as a mere seed, and if we care enough to water, weed, nourish, and encourage it, it will in the future bear fruit “which is most precious, … sweet above all that is sweet,” the consuming of which leads to a condition of no more thirst and no more hunger”.
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