Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8

What seems to be the Savior's first lesson taught as a parable is the Parable of the Sower where the Savior teaches -

"Behold, there went out a sower to sow:
4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.
5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:
6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.
8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.
9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (New Testament Mark 4:3 - 9)

It seed is the "word" of God, for-

"The sower soweth the word." (New Testament Mark 4:14)

What seems to be the most important component is the properties of the soil upon which the seed is sown. As I initially pondered the meaning of the soil, I sensed the Savior was speaking of the heart - our deepest and most sincere desires. This was confirmed as the Savior explained to his disciples of the seeds that fell -

"...by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts." (New Testament Mark 4:15)

The Prophet Joseph Smith commented -

“Men who have no principle of righteousness in themselves, and whose hearts are full of iniquity, and have no desire for the principles of truth, do not understand the word of truth when they hear it. The devil taketh away the word of truth out of their hearts, because there is no desire for righteousness in them. . . .” (Smith, Teachings, p. 96.)

The Savior explained of the seeds that -

"...likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." (New Testament Mark 4:16 - 17)

President Harold B. Lee commented of us today -

"Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work. This Church has before it many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand.

Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand?" (Quoted by Harold B. Lee in CR, Oct. 1965, p. 128; see also Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp. 446, 449–50.)

I am also saddened as the Savior explains -

"...these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." (New Testament Mark 4:18 - 19)

Is is this group in our families and in the Church which concerns us greatly as we strive to magnify our priesthood responsibilities. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote -

“If the seed falls among thorns, it is in good soil, as is evidenced by the growth of the undesirable plants. But the good plant is soon choked and dies because it cannot overcome the influence of the weeds and thistles. So it is with the members of the Church who know the gospel is true, but who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus, who are not affirmatively and courageously striving to further the interests of the Church. So it is of the Saints who think more of the honors of men, the educational standards of the world, political preferment, or money and property, than they do of the gospel. They know the Lord’s work has been established on earth, but they let the cares of the world choke the word...” (DNTC, 1:289.)

And finally the Savior explained -

"...these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (New Testament Mark 4:20)

This verse also suggests that there is a great deal of variance in abilities and magnifying callings with those who do bring forth fruit. Again, Elder McConkie states -

“If the seed falls on productive, fertile soil, and if it is thereafter nurtured and cared for, it bringeth forth a harvest. But even here crops of equal value are not harvested by all the saints. There are many degrees of receptive belief; there are many gradations of effective cultivation. All men, the saints included, shall be judged according to their works; those who keep the whole gospel law shall bring forth an hundred fold and inherit the fulness of the Father’s kingdom. Others shall gain lesser rewards in the mansions which are prepared.” (DNTC, 1:289.)

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you...." (New Testament John 14:2)