Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Several parables are recorded in Matthew 13. A careful study of these parables together will give us a better understanding of the gathering of Israel. That topic is vital to us today. President Russell M Nelson testified that "the gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on the earth today."
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: “…for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you.”
“Plead with God in the name of Christ to write the gospel in your mind that you may have understanding and in your heart that you may love to do His will. Pursue this blessing diligently and patiently, and you will receive it, for…” (General Conference, April 2004)
Joseph Smith: “I shall now proceed to make some remarks from the sayings of the Savior, recorded in the 13th chapter of His Gospel according to St. Matthew, which in my mind, afforded us as clear an understanding upon the important subject of the gathering, as anything recorded in the Bible. (TPJS p 94)
How do the parables in Matthew 13 relate to the GATHERING?
Jared M. Halverson, “Of Soils and Souls: The Parable of the Sower,” https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-9-no-3-2008/soils-souls-parable-sower)
Though the mustard seed is very small, it can grow into a tree where birds can dwell and find protection in its branches. When the Church was restored in 1830, it was like a tiny mustard seed. Since then it has grown until its “branches” are found in almost every nation on earth, and its members find in them a spiritual “home” and protection from the world. The Savior used the parable of the mustard seed to teach that His Church would grow from a small beginning into a very large organization (compare Daniel 2:44; D&C 65:1-2).The kingdom of God is like mustard seeds and trees. Mustard seeds are tiny and the full grown mustard tree grow to a small 10-15 feet maximum. But the seeds and plants are renowned in ancient days for their quickness in germinating and taking root, and taking over space, and growing in unlikely environments and conditions. Though useful they are treated like weeds and are unwanted. But then, they are almost impossible to get rid of.
The Parable of the three measures of Leaven means according to the Prophet Joseph that, "It may be understood that the Church of the Latter day Saints has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable! It is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole." (Smith, Teachings, p. 100.)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "In the last days, happily, the Church will grow extensively, with its membership being “scattered upon all the face of the earth” (1 Ne. 14:14). Nevertheless, its dominions will still be comparatively “small” because of “wickedness,” which will close the ears of many to the gospel message (see 1 Ne. 14:12). (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1988/04/for-i-will-lead-you-along?lang=eng)
We all know the parable of the treasure in the field: the farmer who goes out and finds the treasure, sells all that he has and buys the field in order to claim the treasure. One interpretation of that story is that we are the farmer, and the gospel as the treasure. That’s a good way to read it. But what if the Savior is the farmer and we’re the treasure? What if He was out in the ministry and found you, sold all that He had, gave everything in His possession to embrace the treasure, the best thing in His life-you? I’m not sure we think of each other that way. I am not sure we think of employees that way. I’m not sure we think of anybody that way enough-spouses or children or grandchildren or friends or neighbors. But we should.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Parables are a call to investigate the truth, to learn more, to inquire into the spiritual realities, which, through them, are but dimly viewed. They teach arithmetic to those who have the capacity to learn calculus in due course. They are the mild milk of the word that prepares our spiritual digestive processes to feast upon the doctrinal meat of the kingdom.” (The Mortal Messiah, 2:245)
President Russell M Nelson: “The gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on the earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2018/06/hope-of-israel?lang=eng)
Teaching Thoughts:
Elder D. Todd Christofferson: “…for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you.”
“Plead with God in the name of Christ to write the gospel in your mind that you may have understanding and in your heart that you may love to do His will. Pursue this blessing diligently and patiently, and you will receive it, for…” (General Conference, April 2004)
Joseph Smith: “I shall now proceed to make some remarks from the sayings of the Savior, recorded in the 13th chapter of His Gospel according to St. Matthew, which in my mind, afforded us as clear an understanding upon the important subject of the gathering, as anything recorded in the Bible. (TPJS p 94)
How do the parables in Matthew 13 relate to the GATHERING?
- The Sower - Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23
- Wheat and Tares - Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43
- Mustard Seed - Matthew 13:31-32
- Leaven - Matthew 13:33
- Hidden Treasure - Matthew 13:44
- Pearl of Great Price - Matthew 13:45-46
- Fish in Net - Matthew 13:47-50 New and Old - Matthew 13:52
Jared M. Halverson, “Of Soils and Souls: The Parable of the Sower,” https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-9-no-3-2008/soils-souls-parable-sower)
Though the mustard seed is very small, it can grow into a tree where birds can dwell and find protection in its branches. When the Church was restored in 1830, it was like a tiny mustard seed. Since then it has grown until its “branches” are found in almost every nation on earth, and its members find in them a spiritual “home” and protection from the world. The Savior used the parable of the mustard seed to teach that His Church would grow from a small beginning into a very large organization (compare Daniel 2:44; D&C 65:1-2).The kingdom of God is like mustard seeds and trees. Mustard seeds are tiny and the full grown mustard tree grow to a small 10-15 feet maximum. But the seeds and plants are renowned in ancient days for their quickness in germinating and taking root, and taking over space, and growing in unlikely environments and conditions. Though useful they are treated like weeds and are unwanted. But then, they are almost impossible to get rid of.
The Parable of the three measures of Leaven means according to the Prophet Joseph that, "It may be understood that the Church of the Latter day Saints has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable! It is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole." (Smith, Teachings, p. 100.)
Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "In the last days, happily, the Church will grow extensively, with its membership being “scattered upon all the face of the earth” (1 Ne. 14:14). Nevertheless, its dominions will still be comparatively “small” because of “wickedness,” which will close the ears of many to the gospel message (see 1 Ne. 14:12). (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1988/04/for-i-will-lead-you-along?lang=eng)
We all know the parable of the treasure in the field: the farmer who goes out and finds the treasure, sells all that he has and buys the field in order to claim the treasure. One interpretation of that story is that we are the farmer, and the gospel as the treasure. That’s a good way to read it. But what if the Savior is the farmer and we’re the treasure? What if He was out in the ministry and found you, sold all that He had, gave everything in His possession to embrace the treasure, the best thing in His life-you? I’m not sure we think of each other that way. I am not sure we think of employees that way. I’m not sure we think of anybody that way enough-spouses or children or grandchildren or friends or neighbors. But we should.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Parables are a call to investigate the truth, to learn more, to inquire into the spiritual realities, which, through them, are but dimly viewed. They teach arithmetic to those who have the capacity to learn calculus in due course. They are the mild milk of the word that prepares our spiritual digestive processes to feast upon the doctrinal meat of the kingdom.” (The Mortal Messiah, 2:245)
President Russell M Nelson: “The gathering of Israel is the most important thing taking place on the earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty.” (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2018/06/hope-of-israel?lang=eng)
Teaching Thoughts:
- What did you learn about the gathering from Matthew 13?
- See with their eyes,
- Hear with their ears,
- Understand with their heart,
- Be converted,
- “and I should heal them.” (Matthew 13:15)