#57 Parable of the Mustard Seed

#57 Parable of the Mustard Seed

Please First Read: Matthew 13:31-32; Luke 13:18-19; Mark 4:30-32

Apostle James E. Talmage:

The Jewish nation had long been praying for and expecting the Messiah to come with great power, like King David, and restore Israel to its former glory days. He would subdue and vanquish all their enemies. Jesus now comes teaching a different message. The Kingdom would have a very small beginning and he compares it to a mustard seed. Jesus calls it “the least of all seeds.” (There are actually smaller seeds but many of those have a maturity that is also small.) 

“The well cultivated mustard plant is one of the greatest among common herbs and presents a strong contrast of growth from tiny seed to spreading shrub.” Also, the climate here is ideal for the plant to reach maximum growth. The phrase “as small as a mustard seed” was in common usage among their society at this time. When Jesus says “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed … nothing shall be impossible unto you,” they understood what he meant.

The seed is a vital living entity (as should be ones faith.) One tiny seed can produce a full- grown plant capable of providing shade, protection, lodging, and food for birds and other small creatures. From one mustard seed the mature plant produces such an abundance of seed that an entire field may be covered. “So the seed of truth is vital, living, and capable of such development as to furnish spiritual food and shelter to all who come seeking.” For many of us there is an ancestor who first embraced the gospel.  

Apostle Bruce R. McConkie:

This parable has specific reference to this time … the restoration of the gospel … the return of the Kingdom of God on earth for the final time in these latter days. Much of Christianity today teaches that this is the growth of the Christian church back to the time of Jesus and his Apostles on the earth. Not so. 

“The original pure Christianity practiced by the primitive saints never did more than sprout its head above ground; within a relatively short time the original plant was trodden down and destroyed. It is only in the dispensation of the fulness of times that the true Christian tree is to grow until it becomes “a great tree:” it is only in this final age that the true gospel message is to roll forth until the knowledge of God covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.” (D & C 65 & Isaiah 40:3) The interpretation of this parable specifically refers to the restoration of the gospel. The Kingdom of God is again here on the earth in these latter days for the final time and preparations are under way for the return of our Savior.

The Prophet Joseph Smith:

“Now we can discover plainly that this figure is given to represent the Church as it shall come forth in the last days. Behold, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto it. Now, what is like unto it?

“Let us take the Book of Mormon, which a man took and hid in his field, securing it by his faith, to spring up in the last days, or in due time; let us behold it coming forth out of the ground, which is indeed accounted the least of all seeds; but behold it branching forth, yea, even towering, with lofty branches, and Godlike majesty, until it, like a mustard seed, becomes the greatest of  all herbs. And it is truth, and it has sprouted and come forth out of the earth, and righteousness begins to look down from heaven, and God is sending down his powers, gifts, and angels, to lodge in the branches thereof.

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a mustard seed. Behold, then is not this the kingdom of heaven that is raising its head in the last days in the majesty of God, even the Church of Latter-day Saints.”

D. Kelly Ogden:

            “Although the mustard seed is not really the smallest of all seeds proverbially or hyperbolically it denotes the strength and power inherent in even the smallest particle.”

The Savior did not give a direct interpretation of this parable but his message was/is that in its infancy the restored Church will be weak and small but it will grow to be strong and mighty and fill the whole earth. We are seeing this now taking place before our eyes.

        

Pentecost and Trench:

“Christ was making use of a popular Jewish idiom. The smallest item measurable was a mustard seed and the weight of such a seed was the smallest amount that could be weighed by using a balance. The Oriental mustard plant in one season can reach the height of a tree. This author has on hand a picture taken in Dallas of a mustard seed that in one year grew into a tree thirty-two feet in height. It was of sufficient size so the birds could nest within its branches.    This part of the parable emphasizes a great discernible growth from an insignificant beginning.” (J. Dwight Pentecost)

“In the image of birds flocking to the boughs of the tree, and there finding shelter and food, (Ezek. xvii. 23) we are to recognize a prophecy of the refuge and defense there should be for all men in the church; how the multitudes should find here protection, as well as satisfaction for all the wants of their souls.” (R.C. Trench)

  

“And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.” (D&C 115:6)

Glenn R. McGettigan

February 2019

References     

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” McConkie

“Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.” Smith

“Where Jesus Walked.” Ogden

“The Parables of Jesus.” Pentecost

“Notes on the Parables of Our Lord.” Trench

#56 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

#56 The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares 

Please first read: Matthew 13:24-30, and 36-43

The following is taken directly from the book “Jesus the Christ” written by Apostle James E. Talmage. In 1911 The Quorum of the First Presidency and The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provided Elder Talmage, a member of the Quorum, a room on the fourth floor of the Salt Lake Temple to finish his writings on Jesus which he had begun in 1904. He subsequently finished the work in April 1915, and it was published by the church – a testament that Jesus is the Christ.

“Another parable, somewhat closely related to the sower as to the actual story, dealing again with seed and sowing, and like the first, accompanied by the interpretation, was delivered by the Master as follows:

            “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24-30)

“When Jesus had retired to the house in which he lodged, the disciples came, saying: “Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.”

           

            “He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

(Matthew 13:36-43)

“By the Author’s explication, the sower was Himself, the Son of Man; and, as the condition of the wheat and tares growing together was one that shall continue until the “end of the world,” those who were ordained to carry on the ministry after Him are by direct implication also sowers. The seed as here represented is not, as in the last parable, the gospel itself, but the children of men, the good seed typifying the honest in heart, righteous-minded children of the kingdom; while the tares are those souls who have given themselves up to evil and are counted as children of the wicked one. Inspired by zeal for their Master’s profit, the servants would have forcibly rooted the tares, but were restrained, for their unwise though well-intended course would have endangered the wheat while yet tender, since in the early stages of growth it would have been difficult to distinguish the one from the other, and the intertwining of the roots would have caused much destruction of the precious grain.

“One cardinal lesson of the parable, apart from the representation of actual conditions present and future, of that of patience, long-suffering, and toleration – each an attribute of Deity and a trait of character that all men should cultivate. The tares mentioned in the story may be considered as any kind of noxious weed, particularly such as in early growth resembles the wholesome grain. Over-sowing with the seed of weeds in a field already sown with grain is a species of malignant outrage not unknown even in the present day. The certainty of a time of separation, when the wheat shall be garnered in the store-house of the Lord, and the tares be burned, that their poisonous seed may reproduce no more, is placed beyond question by the Lords own exposition.

“So important is the lesson embodied in the parable, and so assured is the literal fulfilment of its contained predictions, that the Lord has given a further explication through revelation in the current dispensation, a period in which the application is direct and immediate. Speaking through Joseph Smith the Prophet in 1832, Jesus Christ said:

            “But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender – Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields; But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also. Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.” (D & C 86:4-7)

Although Jesus is now drawing and addressing large crowds, he has, as his primary concern, teaching his disciples and especially preparing the Twelve to continue sowing and tending to the gospel seed after his crucifixion. The responsibility to stand strong against fierce opposition will be theirs, and they must be made ready.

We know from the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith that here Jesus is not only talking about the kingdom in his days. The Gospel will shortly again be taken from the earth with the deaths of the Twelve. The message of this parable will also apply to the restoration and growth of the church in this dispensation. Satan and his followers have continued from then to now to sow tares throughout the world. Since the restoration of the Gospel in our day good seed is now again being sown. The Gospel has been restored for the final time before the Lord returns. The gathering has begun and the time is soon to come for the tares to be gathered in and burned, and the harvest – the children of the kingdom – the harvest of God’s vineyard will take place.

In this parable Jesus has summarized the apostasy, latter day restoration, the growth of the kingdom, the millennial cleansing of the earth, the return of the Son of Man, and the celestial exaltation of the faithful. Seed, mature plant, harvest.

          “Both the Church and the earth shall be cleansed before the Son of Man returns; members of his kingdom, which is the Church, shall be cast out among the wicked in the day of destruction preceding the personal reign of our Lord on earth.” McConkie

Glenn R. McGettigan

February 2019

References

“Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.” Smith

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” McConkie

“The Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage

#55 The Parable of the Sower

#55 The Parable of the Sower

Please first read: Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:3-25; Luke 8:5-8

It appears that this parable is the first of record in the New Testament scriptures and possibly the first given by the Savior.

Jesus is well into his ministry by now. He joined first with John the Baptist and those crowds he had prepared for him, and then attended Passover in Jerusalem. His early Judean ministry followed this, but lasted maybe less than one year because of severe hostility from various levels of religious leadership. Going into the lands of Galilee his reception there has been markedly better. There is still opposition but his fame is continually increasing. He speaks under his own authority, and with many mighty works and miracles. Great multitudes now follow him. They come seeking healing and relief, and some to hear more of the new doctrine that is being taught. Crowds have reached the size where they are a problem to his being able to deliver his discourse. It is all too big to be indoors. Today will be the delivery of the Parable of the Sower.

This was a sudden departure from his established method of teaching; it caught many of his most devoted disciples by surprise, and they marveled at what their ears now heard. Such a change from his previous manner of teaching. What was the meaning of this particular parable?

Later, the Twelve and a few others, when they are alone with Jesus, ask him for an explanation. Jesus, in turn questions them back, stressing the simplicity of this parable: “Know ye not this parable? How then will ye know all parables?” (Mark 4:13) More parables are coming!

Then he gives the Twelve and these few others, a rare comprehensive interpretation of it.

Part One

The Story of the Parable

“Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some 

sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:3-9)

Part Two Jesus’

Explanation of the Parable

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that, which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23) 

This is a fine example of the Lord’s parables in general, and is doubly valuable because the Lord, upon being asked later the what and why of this teaching change, gives the Twelve and the few inquirers the full explanation.

This is often referred to as the Parable of the Soils. Three factors are involved:

1. The Sower, The Savior 
2. The Seed, The message of the Gospel 
3. The Soil, The hearers

The first two of these are constant – good. The third, people, are as different as all the soils of the earth. From prepared to totally unprepared. The resultant harvest depends on the condition of the soil. Feathery, dust, and lighter, to diamond, granite, and harder – well prepared and fertile to rock hard and impenetrable.

Apostle James E. Talmage: 

“Observe that the prominent feature of the story is that of the prepared or unprepared
condition of the soil. The seed was the same, whether it fell on good ground or bad, on mellow mold or among stones and thistles. The primitive method of sowing, still followed in many countries, consisted in the sower throwing the grain by handfuls against the wind, thus securing a widespread scattering. Running through the Galilean fields were pathways, hard trodden by feet of men and beasts. Though seed should fall on such tracts, it could not grow; birds would pick up the living kernels lying unrooted and uncovered and some of the grains would be crushed and trodden down. So with the seed of truth falling upon the hardened heart; ordinarily it cannot take root, and Satan, as a marauding crow, steals it away, lest a grain of it perchance find a crack in the trampled ground, send down its rootlet, and possibly develop.

“Seed falling in shallow soil, underlain by a floor of unbroken stone or hard-pan, may strike root and flourish for a brief season; but as the descending rootlets reach the impenetrable stratum they shrivel, and the plant withers and dies, for the nutritive juices are insufficient where there is no depth of earth. So with the man whose earnestness is but superficial, whose energy ceases when obstacles are encountered or opposition met; though he manifest enthusiasm for a time persecution deters him; he is offended and endures not. Grain sown where thorns and thistles abound is soon killed out by their smothering growth; even as with a human heart set on riches and the allurements of pleasure – though it receive the living seed of the gospel it will produce no harvest of good grain, but instead, a rank tangle of noxious weeds. The abundant yield of thorny thistle demonstrates the fitness of the soil for a better crop, were it only free from the cumbering weeds. The seed that falls in good deep soil, free from weeds and prepared for the sowing, strikes root and grows, the sun’s heat scorches it not, but gives it thrift; it matures and yields to the harvester according to the richness of the soil, some fields producing thirty, others sixty, and a few even a hundred times as much grain as was sown. 

“In the parable we are considering, the Teacher depicted the varied grades of spiritual receptivity existing among men, and characterized with incisive brevity each of the specified grades. He neither said nor intimated that the hard-baked soil of the wayside might not be plowed, harrowed, fertilized, and so rendered productive; nor that the stony impediment to growth might not be broken up and removed, or an increase of good soil be made by actual addition; nor that the thorns could never be uprooted and the formers habitat rendered fit to support good plants.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith:

“The very reason why the multitude, or the world, as they are designated by the Savior, did not receive an explanation upon His parables, was because of unbelief. To you, He says (speaking to His disciples) it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. And why? Because of the faith and confidence they had in Him. This parable was spoken to demonstrate the effects that are produced by the preaching of the word; and we believe that it has an allusion directly, to the commencement, or the setting up of the Kingdom in that age.”

A thought to consider: we are, each of us, a “soil” at some degree of “goodness.” The Lord is asking us, through his prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, to help one another with the “goodness of our soil” through our ministering.

Glenn R. McGettigan
January 2019

References

“Jesus the Christ.” Talmage.
“Our Lord of the Gospels.” Clark.
“The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ.” Volume 2. Holzapfel & Wayment.
“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie.
“Scriptural Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith.” Smith.

#54 Jesus Uses Parables

#54 Jesus Uses Parables

Please first read: Matthew 13:1-3; 34-35; Mark 4:1-2; 33-34; Luke 8:4

Jesus with the Twelve and other disciples has spent much of the summer in the areas of Galilee, healing and teaching. In the crowds of listeners are many Jews and Gentiles, leaders and followers who support Jesus as well as those who oppose him. Those in opposition seem to be increasing in strength, number and visibility. Crowds have reached such a size that he must meet outside to accommodate them. Also, the synagogues are slowly closing their doors to him in opposition to what he is teaching.

All Jesus’ teachings to this point has been plain and straight-forward. The crowd surprise was in the healings and other miracles he did. Now, however, Jesus adds a new dimension … Parables. This is a teaching technique very familiar to the Jews. It has been in use since the time of the Judges and examples are found in the Old Testament. Edersheim writes: “Using parables in teaching was very common among the Jews in Christ’s time. Every ancient Rabbinic work was literally full of parables; mostly illustrations of what had been said or taught before, while in the case of Christ they served as the foundation of his teachings.”

This is the first time the scriptures tell us of Jesus using parables in his teaching. There are a number of advantages in doing so. Parables (comparing one item with another) make it more difficult for those opposed to charge Jesus with teaching false doctrine.

God holds us accountable for what we understand. (Mark 4:33) “as they were able to hear it.” The meaning of this phrase in Greek is “to their level of understanding. Using parables insures the listener will only be judged on that part he understands. Parable use by the Savior was an act of mercy. Gospel doctrines were hidden from those whose hearts were hardened. The same parable revealed the truths to those hearts which were open and receptive. To his close disciples Jesus could later expound more detail which was within their abilities to understand. As it was then, so it is today.

Rabbinic and Jewish writings used well known scenes and events of daily life with a spiritual connection or meaning to the story. The whole narrative was used to illustrate a spiritual teaching. A message was conveyed to one of simple education as well as to the most learned. Jesus’ parables seem to be slightly different in that they were used more as the basic foundation of what he was teaching, rather than just a story comparing one item with another.

One result of this change by Jesus is there now comes into existence two general classes of listeners:  those who will seek the message the Lord is preaching with various degrees of success and understanding, and those whose hearts are closed as they look for ways to accuse and label Jesus as being of satanic origin.

The following excerpt is from the BYU, “Doctrine and Covenants Religion Course Manual,” (p. 324-325) (D&C 86) “What Are Parables and Why Did Jesus Use Them?”

“Parables are short stories which point up and illustrate spiritual truths. Those spoken by Jesus deal with real events, or, if fictitious, are so consistent and probable that they may be viewed as the commonplace experiences of many people.

“When opposition to his message became bitter and intense, the master Teacher chose to present many of the truths of salvation in parables in order to hide his doctrine from those not prepared to receive it. It was not his purpose to cast pearls before swine.” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, McConkie 1.283)

If a person is spiritually sensitive to gospel truths, parables teach beautiful and powerful principles; but if one is not spiritually aware, then, as Elder McConkie points out, “parables seldom clarify a truth; rather, they obscure and hide the doctrine involved so that none but those already enlightened and informed, on the very point presented, are able to grasp the full meaning. Nowhere is this better illustrated than in the parable of the wheat and the tares. When Jesus first gave this parable, even the disciples did not understand it. They asked for the interpretation, and he gave it, partially at least. And then with both the parable and the interpretation before the world, the Lord still had to give a special revelation in latter days so that the full meaning of this marvelous parable might sink into the hearts of men.” (D&C 86) (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, McConkie 1:283-284)

                                                                                  

The Savior often used parables to teach the people during his ministry on earth. On one occasion when he was on the shore of Galilee, the people pressed so close that he stepped into a boat and from there preached to the crowd on the shore. One of the messages he taught was in the parable of the wheat and the tares. Later, when he was alone with his Apostles, Jesus explained the parable to them. (Matthew 13:24-30)

On 6 December 1832, while Joseph Smith was working on the revision of the New Testament, he received an explanation of the wheat and the tares, “a more complete interpretation than he (Jesus) gave to his Apostles as recorded by Matthew. The reason for this may be accounted for in the fact it is to be in these last days that the harvest is gathered and the tares are to be burned.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, Smith 1:353)

Of General Interest About Parables In The Meridian Of Time:

1.      They use familiar scenes of everyday life or events.

2.      They use known spiritual realities.

3.      Comparisons are between abstract spiritual values and daily life situations.

His disciples later ask Jesus “Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10) They don’t understand. Jesus is hoping for his listeners to be touched by the Spirit, recognize him as the Messiah, and then to learn and accept the doctrines of the kingdom he is teaching.

Some of Jesus parables chastised certain of his listeners (i.e. “wicked husbandmen” Matthew 21:45) and they perceived he was speaking to them. Jesus knew of the history and lives of his hearers and could use this in speaking to specific individuals. They could repent and change or stonewall and ignore.

Some of his hearers would notice the slight change from what they were used to hearing in parables. The Rabbis used them to illustrate and enhance existing teachings. Jesus made the parable subject matter the basic foundation of what he was teaching.

A reaction to Christ's parables was unresponsiveness among the hearers, and opposition to his teachings.

Jesus only sowed good seed; therefore the quality of the harvest depended on the soil on which it was sown. We are each a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven; no two alike. 

The Apostle Paul in his later ministry spoke of the need to preach ‘milk’ before ‘meat’ to investigators. Using parables helped in doing this. (1 Corinthians 3:2)

It is probable that the framework of some of Christ’ parables were adapted and adopted by later Rabbis.

Glenn R. McGettigan

May 2016

References:

“Brigham Young University.  Doctrine and Covenants Course Manual.”

“Church History and Modern Revelation.” Smith     

“Biblical Library: Matthew, Mark, & Luke.”

“Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.” Volume 1. Edersheim

“Doctrinal New Testament Commentary.” Volume 1. McConkie

“Mortal Messiah.” Volume 2. McConkie

“Parables of Jesus the Messiah.” Howick

#19 Symbols of the Holy Ghost

#19 Symbols of the Holy Ghost

Jesus will soon begin his formal ministry and teachings. He will use much symbolism including those which help in understanding the Holy Ghost. Societies, both ancient and modern day have used, and now use, symbols to greatly facilitate communicating and understanding. Obviously mental pictures and images show and explain much more to our minds than any lengthy description of words can accomplish. This was a common teaching and learning technique among the Jews at Jesus' time on the earth and He was, of course, a master in its use.

A few examples of Jesus’ great use of symbolism to teach:  

Spiritual Reception to the Gospel:

Sowers and Soils – Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8

Humility, Prayer, and Forgiveness:

Leaven of Pharisees – Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 12

Duty, Obedience, Resourcefulness:

Unprofitable Servants – Luke 17

Worldly Riches and Sacrifice:

Foolish Rich Man – Luke 12

Prepare for Final Judgment;

Ten Virgins – Matthew 25

Rebuke for Self-Righteousness:

Lost Sheep, Coin, Prodigal Son – Luke15

Fit or Unfit for Kingdom of God:

Royal Marriage Feast – Matthew 22

Kingdom of God on Earth:

Wheat and Tares – Matthew 13

Specific Symbols of the Holy Ghost:  

Fire; Oil; Wind

Fire

Fire has been used as a symbol of the Holy Ghost from the earliest days of scripture.   Beginning with Adam fire represented God's holiness and glory. It was a symbol of God's presence and power as shown to ancient people in both the Old and New Testaments. Fire served then as a purifier, a refiner, a cleansing force and thus was a natural symbol for the Holy Ghost who is God's sanctifier. And so it is for us today.

Both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants repeatedly refer to those who have received the companionship of the Spirit as those who have received “the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.” (2 Nephi 31; 3 Nephi 9; D&C 19:31; D&C 20:41) That is, they have been purged of sin ... the spiritual dross has been burned from their souls ... they have been purified and are worthy to receive the companionship of the Holy Ghost. They are now eligible for priceless gifts of the Spirit. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost is as a burning light within our souls giving us feelings of warmth and righteousness. It is a power with which we can turn any unclean thing away from us.

Scripturally God's ancient people (as we do today) viewed fire as a symbol of spiritual power, illuminating, inspiring, and enlightening; but also in association with being tested. We are tested and “tried by fire” while on this earth, but with the gift of the Holy Ghost, one might say we have fire with which to fight fire.

Pure Olive Oil

Parable of the Ten Virgins

“And then at that day, before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”  (JST Matthew 25:1-6)

That we might more fully understand the teaching that Jesus was giving with this parable, He has given us an interpretation of it for our time.

“At that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten Virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived ... verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45: 56-57) The oil that will guide the pure to the royal marriage feast will be the sacred covenants that have been made with the Savior and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise.

Pure olive oil is an excellent simile or metaphor for the Holy Ghost. Anciently it was a source of light, food, warmth, and healing. It was used medically as an antidote for poisons, and various sicknesses (internally), and as a poultice or ointment for infections, bruises,

wounds, and open sores (externally).

In Old Testament times anointing was a principle part of the ceremony in the inaugurating of kings, priests and prophets. This anointing was a ritual, a consecrating or setting apart of the individual for sacred purposes. Pure olive oil was poured upon the head of the person in a symbolic representation of the Spirit of the Lord that was to be poured out, through him, upon the nation of Israel. Each king, priest, or prophet was standing in place of the Christ who would come as THE great Prophet, Priest and King. Israel would then walk in paths of righteousness. The anointing of the head with pure olive oil represents the spiritual blessings to come from God.

Today, the ritual of washing and anointing with oil consecrates the person's mind, body, and desires to the Lord's service. Pure olive oil is used by the Elders in administering to the sick, and symbolizes the need for an outpouring of healing from the Holy Ghost.

Continuing his instruction on the Holy Ghost, the Prophet Joseph Smith then said: “We believe in the gift of the Holy Ghost being enjoyed now as much as it was in the (early) apostle’s days; we believe that it is necessary to make and to organize the priesthood, that no man can be called to fill any office in the ministry without it; we also believe in  prophecy, in tongues, in visions, and in revelations, in gifts, and in healings; and that these things cannot be enjoyed without the gift of the Holy Ghost. We believe that the holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and that holy men in these days speak by the same principle; we believe in its’ being a comforter and a witness bearer, that it brings things past to our remembrance, leads us into all truth, and shows us of things to come; we believe that no man can know Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost.”

Wind

We cannot see the wind, but we see its effects, and so with the Holy Ghost. In Hebrew the words for spirit and wind are identical.

On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was there in the “rushing mighty wind and filled all the house.”

In the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, the prophet Joseph prayed, “Let thy house be filled, as with a rushing mighty wind, with thy glory,” and so it was.

I know these things are true and bear witness to the reality of the Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Glenn R. McGettigan

June 2012; Revised March 2015

References:

“Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith”

“Parables of Jesus Christ.” Matthews

Bible, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Book of Mormon

“Journals of Discourse”

“Discourses of the Holy Ghost.” Lundall

“The Holy Ghost.” 1989. Fielding, McConkie, Millet