Posted on 03/21/2011 3:47:30 PM PDT by Paragon Defender
By Elder Ronald A. Rasband
Of the Seventy
Ronald A. Rasband, "Parables of Jesus: The Parable of the Talents", Ensign, Aug. 2003, 32–35
What parent has not looked into the eyes of a newborn infant and wondered in amazement about the child’s future? What parent has not asked questions such as “What kind of life will my child have? For what purposes has this child come to earth now? What must I do as a parent to help this infant fulfill those purposes?”
Every one of us has been blessed with many marvelous capabilities, and one of the great objectives of our journey through mortality is to improve upon them. The Savior powerfully taught this lesson in His parable of the talents. 1
A few days before His Crucifixion, Jesus took His disciples to a place on the Mount of Olives overlooking the city of Jerusalem (see Matt. 24:1, 3) and gave what is known as the Olivet discourse. The sermon is contained in Matthew 24 [Matt. 24] and 25 [Matt. 25] (see also D&C 45:16–75; JS—M 1:5–55).
The quiet and panoramic setting was wonderfully suitable for the Savior to teach His disciples of the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of His Second Coming. As He spoke, His words distressed the disciples. Jesus tried to comfort them, saying, “Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled” (D&C 45:35).
As a part of this sermon Jesus gave several parables. In the Prophet Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of the Bible, the Prophet made it clear that these parables refer to the last days (see Joseph Smith Translation, Matt. 25:1).
Jesus told the story of a master who gave each of his three servants a sum of money. The amounts were set according to each servant’s previously demonstrated capabilities. The man then left for a long time. When he returned, he asked each of these servants to report what he had done with the money.
The first two servants revealed they had doubled his investment. “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord,” was the master’s reply (Matt. 25:21; see also Matt. 25:23).
The third servant then came trembling before his master. He had already heard what the others had reported and knew that he could not give a similar report. “I was afraid,” the servant said, “and went and hid thy talent in the earth” (Matt. 25:25). The master was upset. “Thou wicked and slothful servant,” he said. Then he commanded, “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents” (Matt. 25:26, 28).
The Savior then gave the interpretation of the parable: Those who obtain other talents receive more talents in abundance. But those who do not obtain other talents shall lose even the talents they had initially (see Matt. 25:28–29).
Every person comes to earth as a unique individual. Similar threads may run in families, but each of us has a tapestry all our own. Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote: “Each person in this life is endowed with those talents and capacities which his pre-earth life entitle him to receive. Some by obedience to law acquired one talent and some another.” 2
The Lord made it clear that it is not good enough for us simply to return to Him the talents He has given us. We are to improve upon and add to our talents. He has promised that if we multiply our talents we will receive eternal joy.
In modern revelation the Lord affirmed the principles in this parable: “But with some I am not well pleased, for … they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. … Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known” (D&C 60:2, 13).
Applying the teachings of the parable of the talents has been a challenge and a blessing in my life. The following principles have been a great help to me in my efforts with this process.
Seek earnestly to discover the talents the Lord has given you. The talents God has given us first become apparent in the interests we pursue. If you are wondering about your talents, make a list of the things you like to do. Include all the activities you enjoy from different dimensions of your life—spiritual, musical, dramatic, academic, athletic, and so on. Study and ponder your patriarchal blessing for insights and inspiration. Consult family members, trusted friends, teachers, and leaders; others often can see in us what we find difficult to see in ourselves.
I remember a wonderful Primary teacher who frequently invited me to read the scriptures in front of the class. She told me what a nice reading voice I had and how well I read. What she said and the way she encouraged me helped me gain confidence and realize a talent from the Lord at an early age.
As a 19-year-old missionary, I yearned to know if I had been blessed with any helpful missionary-related talents. I felt a great desire to know how I could magnify whatever gifts I had so that I could be a more effective servant of the Lord. As I studied the scriptures and my patriarchal blessing, prayed fervently, and had various missionary experiences, several of my talents were made known to me.
Use your talents to build up the kingdom of God. Our first priority in helping others is our family. Parents are in a unique and powerful position to encourage and support their children in developing their talents. We also have many opportunities to help others identify their talents. I am grateful for the many people who have helped me add to my talents. The successes in life of those we assist, sponsor, mentor, and lift as they pursue their own talents can bring us great joy and satisfaction.
Focusing on serving the Savior can guide us toward making proper decisions in our daily lives. This perspective prepares us to do whatever the Lord may ask of us at any time. President Gordon B. Hinckley exemplifies this important attitude: “My talents may not be great, but I can use them to bless the lives of others. I can be one who does his work with pride in that which comes from his hand and mind.” 3
Acknowledge God’s hand in your success. We must never forget or stop acknowledging that all talents and abilities come from God. Some were given to us before our birth, while others have been acquired as we have developed. But in both cases, they are gifts from a benevolent Heavenly Father, whose gracious blessings are also the means for improving our talents and obtaining others. The Lord has said, “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things” (D&C 59:21).
I am thankful for the knowledge He has given us—that we are His children and that we are to magnify and multiply our talents to our fullest potential. I know that if we will work hard and do our best, using our talents to bless others and build the kingdom of God, we will be brought back into His presence and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).
At what point?
That chart is completely supported by information from PDs links, I don’t know why they would argue otherwise, but we should be grateful that they provided the need information to confirm its validity.
Supported in which way. Why would PD post links refuting Mormonism, or have I got things backwards regarding your post.
Me, either.
All I know is that when I return from being away from the keyboard, there is this funny odor in the air and yet another reply lingering on the screen...
Why the RIGHT side; of course!
--MormonDude(there is NOTHING on the left that CANNOT be found on an authentic MORMON site.)
Okay, was just wondering. The other post didn’t make it clear.
Sneaky bugger.
Can you actually name one thing wrong with the chart that was listed by ReverendJames? So far, you have only made a general statement with no specifics and once again directed people to your links.
If you are so confident that the chart mis-represents both sides, then why don’t you just give one example instead of just teasing all the time?
If one search his links, they will find your chart correct and that Mormon ideas are not Christian.
PD’s problem is he won’t address the facts. When he has no answer (as he usually doesn’t) he’ll ask you to pray over the BOM to see if it’s true. I don’t have to pray over the Bible to know that murder, adultery, etc. is not tolerated to know it’s true. He’ll also want you to go to the LDS website to prove to you that Mormonism is Christian and true. The thing is when a Mormon tells you that the Christ of the Bible and the BOM are one in the same, they’ll have their fingers crossed behind them.
Yeah...
He seems harmless enough; but you never know.
Like; where does he HIDE around here?
All I can hear is the crickets chirping.
I would suggest you look up each of those “issues” one at a time at the links I provided. A sincere search for truth will be quite enlightening! I can promise you that!
The ahah moments will probably make you chuckle as you realize that how anti-Mormon propaganda portrays things isn’t quite the truth. Quite clever and deceitful it is.
Ah...
But de NILE is!
The Reformed Egyptian floated out to sea (Mediterranean) thru one of the many mouths of the Nile; and on thru the Straight of Gibraltar and on over to the Americas (North, South, Central... SOMEwhere!).
AhHA!
PD still cannot point out a SINGLE thing that isn't quite the truth.
That DEMON speaking thru him is SO stupid!
Surely the lurkers deserve to read this vital information for themselves, and not get it filtered thru a Flying Inman's replies; right?
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