DiscussMormonism.com

Bazooka wrote:

A woman named Christa once worked for a small seed company. She loved her job. It was a source of immense wonder that each tiny seed she sold had the capacity to transform itself into something quite miraculous—a carrot, a cabbage, or even a mighty oak tree.

Christa loved sitting at her computer taking orders and answering questions. But one day she received a complaint that puzzled her.

“The seeds don’t work,” the customer said. “I bought them two months ago and still nothing.”

“Did you plant them in good soil and give them enough water and sunlight?” Christa asked.

“No, but I did my part,” the customer replied. “I bought the seeds. After all, they are guaranteed to grow.”

“But you didn’t plant them?”

“Heavens no. That would mean getting my hands dirty.”

Christa thought about this and decided that planting guidelines would have to be written. She resolved what the first guideline would be: “You must follow planting instructions for the seeds to sprout. You can’t set them on the shelf and expect them to grow.”

It wasn’t long before another complaint puzzled her.

“The seeds aren’t producing,” a customer claimed.

“Did you plant them in good soil?” Christa responded. “Did you give them the appropriate amount of water and sunlight?”

“Oh, yes,” the customer insisted. “I did all that―exactly as it says on the package. But they don’t work.”

“Did anything happen at all? Did they sprout?”

“Nothing happened,” the customer said. “I planted them just as directed. I was hoping to have tomatoes for dinner. Now I am very disappointed.”

“Wait,” Christa replied. “Are you saying you planted the seeds today?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” the customer replied. “I planted them a week ago. I was not expecting to see tomatoes on the first day; I was patient. Let me tell you, there has been a lot of watering and waiting between then and now.”

Christa knew she would have to add another guideline: “These seeds conform to the laws of biology. If you plant the seeds in the morning and expect to eat tomatoes later that week, you will be disappointed. You must be patient and wait for the work of nature to unfold before you.”

All went well until Christa received another complaint.

“I’m very disappointed in your seeds,” the customer began. “I planted them just as the package recommended. I gave them water, made sure they had sunshine, and waited until finally they produced their harvest.”

“Sounds like you did everything right,” Christa said.

“That’s all very fine,” the customer replied. “But what I got was zucchini!”

“My records show that those were the seeds you ordered,” Christa said.

“But I don’t want zucchini; I want pumpkins!”

“I’m not following.”

“I planted the seeds in my pumpkin patch—the very same soil that produced pumpkins last year. I praised the plants every day, telling them what beautiful pumpkins they would become. But instead of large, round, orange pumpkins, I got long, green zucchini. Tons of them!”

Christa knew then that guidelines might not be enough and that it was necessary to state a principle: “The seed you plant and the time of the planting determine the harvest.”

https://www.lds.org/liahona/2014/08/god ... 3&lang=eng

What does this tell us about Uchtdorf's opinion of the adult memberships intellect?

cafe crema wrote:That is an outstanding example of drivel, it amazes me that this was directed at adults.

Fence Sitter wrote:

cafe crema wrote:That is an outstanding example of drivel, it amazes me that this was directed at adults.

Having sat through hundreds of general conference talks, I can see why this was deemed appropriate for a primed adult LDS audience.

One of the primary reasons I stopped going to church was the incredibly redundant and absurdly boring meetings. Not only has correlation been very effective at censoring what is presented within the church, it has killed what ever was left in meetings that might have been interesting.

Paul E Carp wrote:Have you expected a harvest of gospel fruits without doing the work required, and without exhibiting the patience needed?

Paul E Carp wrote:The Brethren are in a difficult position. They are sending their message across the world, and have to try to make it accessible to people all along the intelligence spectrum. If they only targeted the highly educated, many members would be left behind. Jesus invites all to come unto him. The gospel message is simple and pure. It is the rebellious heart and mind that mocks the Lord's servants and makes noise like tinkling cymbals and sounding brass. The mockers here want to focus on the simplicity of this message rather than confront the truth it reveals about themselves. If you find yourself tempted to mock this story, ask yourself whether you might be acting like one of the seed customers in this simple yet profound parable. Have you expected a harvest of gospel fruits without doing the work required, and without exhibiting the patience needed? Have you planted seeds of discontent and rancour that have crowded out and choked the seeds of faith and love and goodness? Jesus is a friend of mine. I have a friend in Jesus. I have had friends before and I can tell you that He will never leave you flat. Please, I beseech you, before it is everlastingly too late, come unto Him who is the fount of all blessings. Bow before Him who has the keys to your salvation, even the Lord Jesus Christ who is represented on this earth today by men of honor and grace like President Uchtdorf. Do not make them offenders for a word. Cease your mockery of things sacred and good.

Paul E Carp wrote: Jesus is a friend of mine. I have a friend in Jesus. I have had friends before and I can tell you that He will never leave you flat. .

Tator wrote:

Paul E Carp wrote:The Brethren are in a difficult position. They are sending their message across the world, and have to try to make it accessible to people all along the intelligence spectrum. If they only targeted the highly educated, many members would be left behind. Jesus invites all to come unto him. The gospel message is simple and pure. It is the rebellious heart and mind that mocks the Lord's servants and makes noise like tinkling cymbals and sounding brass. The mockers here want to focus on the simplicity of this message rather than confront the truth it reveals about themselves. If you find yourself tempted to mock this story, ask yourself whether you might be acting like one of the seed customers in this simple yet profound parable. Have you expected a harvest of gospel fruits without doing the work required, and without exhibiting the patience needed? Have you planted seeds of discontent and rancour that have crowded out and choked the seeds of faith and love and goodness? Jesus is a friend of mine. I have a friend in Jesus. I have had friends before and I can tell you that He will never leave you flat. Please, I beseech you, before it is everlastingly too late, come unto Him who is the fount of all blessings. Bow before Him who has the keys to your salvation, even the Lord Jesus Christ who is represented on this earth today by men of honor and grace like President Uchtdorf. Do not make them offenders for a word. Cease your mockery of things sacred and good.

Spacey, you're needed over on the "Scriptures?" thread.

Fence Sitter wrote:

Paul E Carp wrote: Jesus is a friend of mine. I have a friend in Jesus. I have had friends before and I can tell you that He will never leave you flat. .

This is just too good to not quote!.

Jesus is all right but he just left Chicago to build a hotrod to save me as his superstar.

Paul E Carp wrote:Bow before Him who has the keys to your salvation, even the Lord Jesus Christ who is represented on this earth today by men of honor and grace like President Uchtdorf.

Paul E Carp wrote:Cease your mockery of things sacred and good.