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PONDERING THE MESSAGES OF OUR LEADERS
By Jack N Lyman
I pondered on “THE LIVING CHRIST THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES” and the meaning of it, in relation to our life, as I
wondered how our life fits into the eternal perspective. I thought of the parables of Jesus and how he used comparisons and I
thought how I could compare our life to something simple and easy for everyone to understand. I was reminded of the seed
that Jesus referred to in the parable of the sower. I thought of how our life was much like a plant in how we grow, develop and
progress. I remembered the seed struggling to grow and how if it was planted in the right place and had protection, water and
nutrients it could grow. I then reflected on the sun and how the sun affects the plant and it’s growth, as I pondered my mind
flowed with thoughts and understanding. I will try in some small way to put them in order and form that you may catch a
glimpse of the perspective I received.
Our life is very similar to other living things here on the earth, it seems that everything has a pattern of sorts, a plan of
progression. We are here for a purpose, for growth and to progress to a point to where we can bring forth fruits. Fruits that are
good and beneficial to us and to others in our environment. A flower brings forth beauty, a fish brings forth food, a dog
becomes man’s best friend, and a horse brings work and pleasure, each thing seems to have purpose and progression. I thought
of a tree, a tree follows a pattern much more distinct than many of the other plants. I thought of the purpose and feelings of the
tree. It grows and blooms and puts on a show of beauty and pleasure, that invites the gaze of all. But in the eternal perspective
it never reaches its full potential until it produces the fruit. It’s beauty at first is dimmed only by the fruit which it bears. Can
you imagine the spirit of that giant apple tree as children with a glow in their eyes come to that tree with cheers of surprise. As
they reach for the biggest and brightest of red, and hold it closely and let out a great sigh. Can you just see that massive giant of
a tree smiling so sweetly, as a child takes a bite of that wonderful sweet fruit. As they savor the sweet apple that came from that
old tree, can you imagine that tree’s spirit just jumping with joy at the pleasure it can see. Is it much different for you and for me
as we start getting older and experience the pleasure of seeing our own children taste the fruits of life and savor the joy of doing
good things. Think of how we feel with a child’s first step or first word, or coming home from school with the report card with
all A’s. What about the time when they graduate or give a talk in church, and oh what joy when they find that special mate and
are sealed eternally. These are fruits we give to our children, we teach them, we encourage them, we cry for them and pray with
them. Then we watch with excitement as they leave to partake of the joys that this life offers. We are so much like the old
apple tree, if we are good and bear fruit, then our joy is full and our life is beneficial. We have served our purpose and we can
die in peace with a security of knowing our legacy is being passed on.
OH!! But wait has it really passed on. We forget that in the joy and peace of service there is a little seed that grows in the fruit, a
part of ourselves that is developed that can take on life of its own. That little seed that is planted and grows in the heart of our
fruit, surrounded with love has life, a life of its own. We hold it, protect it and fill it with our love, we nourish it, strengthen it
and feed it with our very blood. It is so tiny, tender, helpless and in need, so we surround it with a fruit so sweet that as the
partaker eats it, then discards the seed. The seed is then carried to the place of rest, but it’s not alone there, as parents we still
wait and protect the seeds bed. The seed is then buried and laid in the ground, where water can find it and cover it around. Isn’t
this much like baptism, don’t we get buried in the water to create a new beginning for ourselves. Doesn’t baptism represent our
being dropped from the mother tree and starting a life on our own. It isn’t a life without protection, support, encouragement
and love. But at baptism we start taking on life for ourselves, we begin rooting ourselves into the gospel and start gaining a
testimony for ourselves. I often think of the primary song, On a Golden Springtime.
The thought is exactly true it is just like after we have been baptized. We start planting roots we start working our way out of
the ground and soon start seeing “LIFE”. We begin to grow and take on a life of our own. But are we alone, no we have parents,
friends and love ones that are there to protect and help us. Often they give of themselves, like the larger plants giving up their
leaves and plants, to animals for forage and to live off of, and providing protection for the young tender plant. These trials and
struggles are things they choose to endure to protect their young and give them a chance to grow on their own. Later the young
can withstand the temptations and buffeting that life offers us, that makes us stronger. These mature plants understand what is
needed and will stay to help and support us, till we can stand on our own testimony. They become a cushion when we are
stepped on, shade from the sun, providing nutrients for the soil and a reservoir for much needed water.
As we grow there are many things we need to help us to survive, including environment (family, friends), water (repentance and
the sacrament), nourishment (knowledge, understanding) and the Sun (influence of god). It is critical that as a seed starts to
grow that an environment of caring, love and protection exists. We are all aware of the parable of the sower (Matthew 13) and
how the environment is essential for the seed to be able to take root and begin to grow. We are born into families where we
receive love, support and encouragement. Families protect us from the influences of the world, teach us and hold to standards
and morals that we live by. We have a church where the gospel can be taught and morals and standards that help the family
and fill in where families are weak. We school and train our children, so they learn how to take care for themselves and learn to
provide for themselves, knowledge that are essential for life and having energy. We create this environment so that the seed
(or a child after baptism) has the chance to sink its roots deep into the gospel sod and have the chance to sprout leaves and
stem.
During the growth process, (from baptism through maturity), it is necessary that we receive a regular watering ( repentance and
partaking of the sacrament). This is the process where we are rejuvenated and have the opportunity to look at our progress, to
see if we need to change directions and fix or repair things while we are growing. This is the opportunity to fill ourselves with
nourishment (knowledge and understanding) by listening to lessons, and participating in growing exercises. Then we are left
for a time to ponder and think and absorb the information we receive through the sacrament and church services. As we
ponder over the things we are taught and learn, our roots continually seek deeper and farther to find more knowledge and
hope. We find ourselves learning from school, things that are good and wholesome, at times of play we learn things that are
mechanical in nature. We learn how thing work, which helps us to understand how the world was created and operates. We
learn from sports how to work with others and accomplish common goals that help the group to grow and mature.
One of the greatest gifts or helps we have to our growth in this life is the power of the Sun ( the influence of God or the Holy
Ghost). It is quite difficult to describe how the Sun really works, it is in the sky, it gives us warmth, it shines and comforts us
when we are cold and scared. But more than that somehow or another it works within our being to help us break down the
nutrients and food, to the point we can process it and use it for energy. The Holy Ghost works in much the same way it
comforts and makes us warm inside it is a nice companion. But more than that it seems to have a power within us, it helps
break down knowledge and education to where we learn new things and understand how to use it. It teaches of faith, of
testimony, it nourishes our spirit and gives us strength and energy to continue on. This ray of Sun (the Holy Ghost) encourages,
inspires, influences, and enhances everything it touches. But if a plant is unprotected or young and inexperienced, extreme
Sunlight can burn and destroy it. Many investigators or newly baptized members feel a need to grow and mature and become a
full tree to quickly, and as a result they grow faster than their roots can bear. When the Sun is shining bright and knowledge is
flowing in abundance, it is more than the tender plant can bear and the weight and responsibility of the gospel becomes to
much for them to understand and carry. Just as a new tender plant needs time to adjust and send down roots so does a new
convert. They need to be given time to adjust and send down roots and gain a strong testimony.
The Sun (or the Holy Ghost) is a marvelous gift, but requires judgment and understanding. We have to test it, try it, and
understand the limits of which we can use it. Many learn from the spirit, and speak with authority, and do not comprehend that
the Lord works in order and through a system of learning. All things must come at the right time and at the right place, our time
is not always Gods time. If we learn of the spirit, and the bounds he works in, and how to understand the promptings, then we
better understand how it works and how to get it to work for us. The Sun is much the same way, some plants learn to follow the
Sun to collect more light, some learn to stay in the shadows because they are tender and cannot withstand the full rays. Often
individuals become stronger and deeper rooted in the gospel so that they can withstand more detailed information. Others
take from the sun, process it, take out the good things that fit in their understanding, and then set aside other things they are not
ready for. Some store the information and retrieve it at a later date when they can use it better. Many make the mistake of
taking the information and using it for power, it burns them and they lose the gift to use it for good.
Like an apple tree after many years of struggle and trial, and learning what is good and beneficial, we mature and begin to bring
forth fruit. If we are good and bring forth good fruit, then we begin to experience great joy and pleasure as we present our fruit
and the good things of life to our family and others. It is very interesting that the Lord in the dream to Lehi compared the tree of
life to the Love of God. Think about it for a minute how true the pattern of the tree must be as compared to our life in mortality.
There are so many times in the scriptures we have trees presented in explanation of eternal principals. The tree of life, the tree
of knowledge of good and evil, the tree in Lehi’s dream, the olive tree and the Lord’s garden. It is important to look beyond the
gimps given us in the scriptures, and understand the more full meaning of our life. By understanding the life of a tree in its
simplicity, we can begin to imagine what our life is and should be. We also begin to understand the steps and ordinances and
why they are critical in our eternal growth. Think of the Temple Marriage, at what point in the tree’s life would it represent. Of
course the time when it is arrayed in all of its beauty. When all can see its beauty and smell of its sweetness. At what other time
in its glory is the tree arrayed with so much beauty and spirit. Even when it in the fruit bearing season it never appears so
beautiful as it does in full bloom. The beauty attracts the attention of all and many come from all around just to witness the
beauty of the moment.
But alas, the beauty leaves and the tree matures to bring forth much fruit, no longer do we look upon the beauty or come to see
from far away. The life of the tree is for service, and the beauty becomes a secondary companion of the service the tree
provides. But now the tree reaches out, with outstretched hands presenting the best of its fruits for all to partake of. It matters
not that some are dropped by the way side, and some is picked without intent to use. Still it extends the fruit in hopes that
someone will take some, use a little, share with others its sweet savor. And as one takes of the fruit and the smile appears, then
great joy swells inside of this old hardened tree. You may not be able to see the excitement or its limbs jump with glee, but next
year just look at that old apple tree. As the years pass by slowly and a new year begins, look at the tree and see if it changes. As
it serves, and is useful for the benefit of man, each year it changes, bringing more for the master’s hand. As his limb reach out to
serve, and the belly is filled, the old tree is encouraged and brings on more and more. It is truly the Love of God that we seek for
and are rewarded with, like the child and the old apple tree. As we partake of the tree and are filled, the tree just keeps
extending more and more, until we are filled to beyond capacity. Each time we use the Love of God to fill our hearts, the Lord
has more power to fill and move us to do good things and benefit the lives of others.
As we partake and enjoy the Lord presents more of that life giving fruit, that we aspire to attain. It also represents the life we
live and the ordinances that must take place for us to mature. We must become like the old tree of which we desire to partake
of the fruit, now. It is my prayer that we will all live our lives that we will not only partake of the fruit of the tree of life, but we
will become the tree of living, for all of those who depend on us for their existence, in this life and in the life to come.
Columbus sailed, over the ocean blue.
Lincoln was known, as being honest and true.
Washington was a man, with a real big heart.
Henry Ford gave the world, a brand new start.
Each lived a life, to them was mundane.
They were just normal, common and plain.
They lived their life, for all it was worth.
Motivation for life, starting the day of their birth.
Trials and struggles, would get in their way.
Failing and changing, was part of every day.
Never giving in to trials, or wanting to quit.
Pushing steadily forward, while others “just sit”.
With failure and difficulty, in their every day life.
Came victory, encouragement, to overcome strife.
With this thing, then that, as they worked on and on.
It didn’t matter if the outcome, was right or was wrong.
They tested and tried, as the moved steadily onward.
Never knowing the outcome, just pushing on forward.
They were not looking for, the world’s honor or fame.
Just wanting to do something, honoring a family name.
In living our life here, we often want to be known.
So we stand up and shout out, criticize and moan.
But if we look back, when we hit that silver hair age.
If life’s a journal, all we’ve done, would fit on one page.
It is great to be known, and to have others recognize.
the greatness and glory, to see the look in their eyes.
But it seems as you look out, from viewing you’ll find
It’s not really what you do, it’s what you’ve left behind
In your search for your future, and your perspective to be.
Remember it’s not always your life, in the future you see.
It may be a ripple in the water, that you ultimately make.
And it may be so minor, these little steps that you take.
But when it is all over, and you look down from above.
When you see in your wisdom, the ones that you love.
That your life was a beginning, of your own little clan.
That strengthened your grandchild, and made him a man.
Keep your eyes focused forward, don’t just set around.
It’s only in your future, that your true joy can be found.
Push onward and upward, in all that you say and do.
For other’s are watching, they’ll want to follow you.
Your life is important, with all the things that you do.
Not for the glory from others, who want to be like you.
It’s the growth of those watching, the joy they’ll know.
Those people who follow you, and go where you go.
May you leave a path, that others look to and follow.
Where there is peace and love, and a brighter tomorrow.
May you find honor and strength, in your family name,
and pass it on to your children, as sacred as it came.
It is not what you do, that matters most in this life.
It the way that you do it, how you handle the strife.
How you blaze the trails, and the treasures you find.
It’s not what you leave, it’s all in what you leave behind.
As taught in “The Symbol of Our Faith” a talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley, it is my testimony that the way we live is the
expression of our faith and in fact is the symbol of our worship. The cross becomes a door to the great plan, for the Kingdom we
wish to possess, and Christ is the head light on the vehicle that shows the way. It is our responsibility to keep going in the right
direction and pushing along every day, making our lives whole as well as helping others grow, that will ultimately make us
better and make it possible to achieve all that Father has for us. Just as the old apple tree our true joy comes, as others pick of
our fruit, partake of its sweet nectar, then they are encouraged to share their fruits so that others can grow. Not an incident (the
Cross) that serves for the salvation of all men, but becoming a process, an Eternal Plan of Progression whereby mankind can
become a full grown fruit bearing tree, like that old tree who is our Father.