AS I SEE MYSELF IN THE PARABLES

My son Troy and I were recently discussing how readers of the parables have a strong propensity to see themselves in the role of the protagonist and others filling the role of the antagonist in these delightful allegories the Savior was so fond of using as a teaching tool. As we continued our discussion, in most instances we were able to find abundant interpretations of the parables which often varied perceptibly from the common view.

I understand what Joseph Smith was trying to teach when he said that the interpretation of a parable would be most correct if we first identified the group and situation which existed as the parable was being taught.

I also feel that the Lord was giving us an additional key when He told His disciples that they who had ears would hear and they who had eyes would see, giving us a strong indication that the parables might be understood in different ways as His listeners gained clarity of hearing and seeing though an increase of gospel insightfulness.

With this latter premise I enter the shaky ground of an interpretation of the parables based on the various players and props He used in what I consider to be fathomless anecdotes with countless messages.

As I attempt to put some order to this interpretive investigation I will rely on the sequence given to the parables as found in ‘Our Lord of the Gospels’ compiled by J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Because of the extensive use the Savior made of this teaching method I will write about only a few of those parables where roles and props lend themselves to multiple understandings so that His parables don’t become an endless source for my thoughts. On second thought, maybe that isn’t all that bad of an idea!

Building a House on Rock or on Sand – Matthew 7:24-27

Elements of parable: Wise hearers and doers of Lord’s sayings – Foolish who neither hear nor do Lord’s sayings – Rock – Sand – Rains – Floods – Winds

Rock – The one constant which we must be/find through continual development of a deepening of our understanding of His sayings until we come to that level of understanding we mortals are capable of obtaining through the help of His comforting Spirit. We will only begin to build upon this solid foundation when and if we arrive at that point when we begin our journey of being truly converted.

Sand – During our days of mortality we will continually be surrounded by sand and dust storms which create numerous parcels where most of us are willing to build our houses because the land is inexpensive and abundant. From out of every corner the voices of the world cry out that this or that piece of shifting ground is where we should build our house. There are many of us who with blinded shortsightedness spend our life’s resources building glittering gingerbread castles which will crumble into rubble as the storms descend.

Rains, Floods and Winds – Mortality would not be a time of testing if there were no tests. We were not sent here to spend our years in hot house environments forever shielded from the buffering elements. We were planted on the ocean’s cliffs where we would be exposed to all the forces of nature. The Lord assures us that as we stand solidly on the rock upon which He has planted us, facing the adversities which surly must come for the test to be real, following His sayings we will always stand and in the strange miracle of His plan be made stronger as the rains, the floods and the winds beat upon us.

Wise Hearer and doer of Lord’s sayings – Most of us immediately identify ourselves in this role, believing that we both understand the word and are fulfilling it in all diligence. We spend many moments of our lives wondering why the stability of our house is often shaken by even minor sprinkles and weak breezes which calmly come upon our house. We fail to realize that the materials hastily gathered and casually put together, often purchased at bargain prices and assembled in haphazard ways would also contribute to the destructibility or indestructability of our edifice. Yes the foundation is important to the stability of a house, but we also must be ever diligent in our efforts as we carefully construct our own house on that solid footing.

Foolish non-Hearer’s and non-Doer’s of his Sayings – My suspicion is that all of us have found ourselves cast in this unfavorable role more times than we really want to admit. There are times when the distractions and commotions of the world are so intense that it is almost impossible to hear His sayings. Sometimes we hear with a degree of understanding, but the path seems to be on a steep incline or the way too filled with obstacles and we soon find ourselves on a divergent road which seems much easier to traverse. Many times we begin to build anew not realizing that we continue to build upon a sandy lot offered by merchants who are out to make a quick buck and have no interest in the lasting stability of our houses.

We should energetically pray that we, like those who heard His words in those long ago days, will be astonished at His doctrine, recognizing the authority with which He taught and have the wisdom to fittingly build our houses upon the Rock of His sayings.

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