The Parable of the Sower

Some weeks ago, this parable was the focus of discussion in our Gospel Doctrine class. The conversation flowed freely, and the exchange of ideas was rather far ranging as to possible applications and interpretations. For me personally, the insight to be gained from this parable is a reaffirmation of the plan of salvation and is applicable in all generations of the gospel.

In his book, Jesus The Christ, Elder James E. Talmage suggests that the Parable of the Sower “could be expressively designated as the Parable of the Four Kinds of Soil” (284). For me, the Sower is the Lord. In all seven gospel dispensations, He has made the saving ordinances available to mankind through the calling of prophets and the restoration of the appropriate priesthood organization. Thus the seed He is sowing is His gospel which is unchanged and unchanging. Contrary to the expressions of some, there is no new and improved strain of the gospel that may be used to possibly interest the particularly stiff-necked of the world in any generation. The only variable in this parable is the nature of the ground upon which the seeds fall. The soil is of four varieties: hardpan, shallow, weed choked, and fertile (Matthew 13:3-9).

The seeds that fall on the hardpan have almost no chance of taking root because of the hardness of the ground and the ever vigilant birds looking for an easy meal. Many of the seeds that fall on the shallow soil will take root and begin to sprout. However, the soil is of inadequate depth to support the required root system of mature plants, and so the young plants wither. While the weed choked soil provides a better seedbed, the weeds themselves are an obstacle against which the new plants cannot successfully compete for space, water, and sunlight. These plants fail to mature also. The seeds that fall on the fertile and unobstructed ground produce the expected crops in three varying yields.

The Lord, himself, gave His disciples the interpretation of this 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 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).

For those of us who have served proselytizing missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have remained active in church service throughout our lives, we have witnessed the human illustrations of this parable many times over. There are those of our brothers and sisters who will not hear the gospel message and brush off any opportunity to do so immediately. Still others will dabble with the message but are very soon convinced by the evil one that such a message is not for them. There are others who accept the gospel message and are baptized. While for a period they find happiness in their membership, they become the targets of family members, friends, and/or associates that unsettle the new members while their testimonies are yet young. Many such converts drift away from their new found belief and are lost for want of a sufficient grounding in the gospel. Many other members whether born to families in the Church or converted to the gospel through the missionary program become happy, productive members for many years. Unfortunately for some members, the trials of life cause them to falter in their obedience to gospel principles, and they are diverted into activities and beliefs that lead them away from the truth. For those members who hold out to the end, not all will have participated equally in the building of the Kingdom of God on the earth. Just as the seeds that fall upon the fertile ground produce different yields, so are the works of men of different worth in the sight of God.

Our consideration now returns to the only variable in this parable, the soil. To my way of thinking, those of God’s children represented by the hardpan are mostly destined to inherit the telestial kingdom in the eternities. Those represented by the shallow and weed choked conditions are largely destined for the terrestrial kingdom where the unfaithful in gospel terms but honorable of the earth will spend eternity. As for those who are representative of the fertile soil conditions, the Lord spoke of three varying degrees of yield. Interesting is it not that latter-day revelation confirms the existence of “three heavens or degrees” in the celestial kingdom? (D&C 131:1) A careful reading of Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants should confirm this interpretation.