One of my favorite late winter activities for many years has been starting seeds. I’ve poured over seed catalogues, sorted through the file of seeds already purchased or saved, and then carefully planted and nurtured the tiny plants I chose, all the time clearly envisioning the beautiful adult plants I hope, and indeed expect, to see by the end of the summer, or at least the following year. It’s a labor of love.

Recently I spent a long morning working in the garden yanking out the weeds that threaten my loved plants, and trimming back some that were started many years ago, until it was too hot to continue. I got a cool drink and some lunch and began the day’s scripture study. A cross reference brought me to Alma’s wonderful allegory comparing the Word of God to a seed in Chapter 32. It had a whole new level of meaning!

I wonder if I have treasured and nurtured scriptural insights and personal revelations with as much hope and vision as I’ve invested in my seedlings. What fruits of the Spirit could, and do, I harvest now from having given careful heed and hope and faith to truths I learned in childhood?

I love Alma’s promise in Alma 32:41-43: “But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. 

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. 

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.”

~Nita Smith