Side Panel
Expand side panel
View profile card for Emily Turano
This page automatically marks posts as read as you scroll.
Adjust automatic marking as read setting
One of my favorite New Testament parables that Jesus Christ gave has always been the Parable of the Talents ( Matt.25: 14-30 ). When reading this week in the Doctrine and Covenants I enjoyed the reiteration of how important this parable is.
D&C 60:2
But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mind anger is kindled against them.
Often times when we hear of this parable about the talents we are taught that our talents are the things that we can do well in areas such as sports, hobbies, work, and education.
As we understand that the talents of that time were an exchange of money, we can see that what the Lord is really expressing to us is that - our circumstances are our talents, and perhaps our divine positioning of being here on the earth at this time when the gospel knowledge is easily accessible, our spiritual gifts that we have been blessed with to share, or our blessing of being members of His church on the earth.
As I consider the talent that I have been given to live here in the United States where I have freedom of religion, a temple close by, a wonderful ward to serve in, and great fellow neighbors in my community to share the gospel with; I ask myself, am I hiding the talent that I have been given because of fear of man?
Am I afraid to mention that I have a great opportunity to serve in my church as a topic of conversation that might have chance to speak deeply or bear testimony of the restored gospel?
Am I afraid to keep my covenants at a deeper level because I might offend my non-member husband? Or perhaps a non-member friend that comes into my home frequently?
Am I burying my talent by not sharing what I have been blessed with others? Say perhaps knowledge in the gospel?
As I consider these things I also recognize the blessing that I am denying myself when I do not share my talents to the capacity that I could.
In the Parable of the Talents it states " FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS " which means....
This is how the order will form for Heaven -
A man, or the Lord gave four sons each different talents, circumstances, or spiritual gifts.
The Lord essentially gives more blessings, to the servants to came home having been blessed with more spiritual gifts, and having shared and used their circumstance wisely, and to the servant who hid his talent in the ground and did nothing, He took his talent from him and lastly, for the servant who he said, " THOU HAS BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, I WILL MAKE THE RULER OVER MANY THINGS."
In this we see the division of more than one kingdom in Heaven besides just a Heaven or a Hell that many faiths believe in, and we also see that our choices and actions will allow us to be blessed with more or many things.
I truly consider this parable in my mind often. I have desires to use all that I have been given to help build His kingdom upon the earth. I am thankful for these sacred scriptures that allow us to have the messages and stories that give us direction and instruction about how we can reach our fullest potential.
I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment