Being Steadfast

Jesus often taught using parables. Those who believed in Him and whose hearts were open to His teachings were most able to understand the parables. Even so, Jesus sometimes had to explain them to His followers, as recorded in the N.T. To those seeking to find fault with His teachings, the parables were nothing more than stories. The parable of the Sower is one that Jesus explained the meaning of. Commenting on the "stony places" (Matt. 13:5, 6, 20, 21; Mark 4:5, 16, 17; Luke 8:6, 13), the study guide says:

"Just as the rootless sprout is unable to remain alive under the heat of the noonday sun, so there are those who, without real testimony and faith, lose conviction and even interest under the pressures of difficulties or ridicule. Though not commenting directly on the Savior's parable, President Heber C. Kimball prophesied over a century ago of a condition that illustrates the need for a deeply rooted, living faith capable of enduring challenges. The prophecy has an increasingly important messabe for the Church in our day as it faces the unfolding future.

"'Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work. This Church has before it many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for youselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand.

"'Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand?' (Quoted by Harold B. Lee in CR, Oct. 1965, p. 128.)

This warning pertains to conditions that will challenge the Church as a whole, and to each of us as individuals. Even when we think our faith and testimonies are strong, we will find them challenged at times in our own personal lives, when others around us are not affected. The adversary knows our weak spots and how to use them against us when we are most vulnerable. We must be strongly converted and able to "keep on keeping on" even if the Heavens seem "like brass overhead" when we cry out for help. Satan would have us give up - even turn against God when that happens. A testimony sown on stony ground (in stony hearts) will not survive. And even if our ground is good, we must constantly nourish and cultivate it to keep it from growing hard and crusty and from producing thorns and thistles. Faith and testimonies cannot be neglected or taken for granted, or they will weaken.