Thoughts on Parables and General Conference
Posted: March 24th, 2011, 10:37 am
Our SS lesson this coming Sunday is on Matthew Chapter 13. All about parables.
I remember current discussions on the board to the effect of, “I wonder what they will say at conference this time around," and “why don’t they tell us anything new?” I remember my friend in Phoenix telling me that M Russell Ballard said at his Stake conference that we wouldn’t hear anything “new” at Conference because the brethren feel that the membership as a whole is not doing what they have been asked to do in the past.
So, today, in preparation for the lesson on Sunday, I was reading in the Bible Dictionary about Parables. Very interesting. One of the things it said was that Jesus told parables because the people weren’t ready to hear the truth. Interestingly, my thoughts wandered to the coming general conference. I wondered if the same would be true: Would those that have “ears to hear” hear beyond the words and the stories that are told this time? Would in fact we learn something that others would or could not because we were prepared? Would Spiritual truths be “hidden” among the messages waiting for us? Truth be told, we are encouraged to come to Conference “prepared” to learn. Granted some will not make the effort to prepare, others won’t think about it, but others, who pray for the Brethren and Sisters, who ask that the Lord will prepare their minds and hearts, perhaps the Lord will say to them:
In other words, perhaps the things we all “long” to hear WILL be there, but we have to be prepared in all ways to “receive” the message as were the apostles when they questioned Jesus about why He taught in Parables.
I remember current discussions on the board to the effect of, “I wonder what they will say at conference this time around," and “why don’t they tell us anything new?” I remember my friend in Phoenix telling me that M Russell Ballard said at his Stake conference that we wouldn’t hear anything “new” at Conference because the brethren feel that the membership as a whole is not doing what they have been asked to do in the past.
So, today, in preparation for the lesson on Sunday, I was reading in the Bible Dictionary about Parables. Very interesting. One of the things it said was that Jesus told parables because the people weren’t ready to hear the truth. Interestingly, my thoughts wandered to the coming general conference. I wondered if the same would be true: Would those that have “ears to hear” hear beyond the words and the stories that are told this time? Would in fact we learn something that others would or could not because we were prepared? Would Spiritual truths be “hidden” among the messages waiting for us? Truth be told, we are encouraged to come to Conference “prepared” to learn. Granted some will not make the effort to prepare, others won’t think about it, but others, who pray for the Brethren and Sisters, who ask that the Lord will prepare their minds and hearts, perhaps the Lord will say to them:
Note also the words in Mosiah after he called the people together for his final words to them: (In a “general conference” if you will)“But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Matt 13:16
My guess is that the General Authorities do not “trifle” with their words in preparing them, or in presenting them and they expect that we should not trifle with them or our preparations to hear them either. With all the effort they make to be righteous Servants of the Lord and deliver His messages to us, we ought to be as diligent in our preparations for General Conference, asking the Lord for ears to hear, hearts to understand and open minds that those “mysteries” which He has prepared for us, do not fall on “deaf” ears.“I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that you may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view….” Mosiah 2:9
In other words, perhaps the things we all “long” to hear WILL be there, but we have to be prepared in all ways to “receive” the message as were the apostles when they questioned Jesus about why He taught in Parables.