The Parable of the Farmer

Once upon a time there was a farmer who was very wise and had a beautiful farm in a valley far away from the city. He and his wife lived there with all their children and they were very happy. The farmer wanted nothing more than for his children to grow up, find a spouse to marry, and come back to the valley to gain their inheritance, a part of this beautiful valley. He was also a wise farmer though and knew that he could not force this life upon his children so he allowed them to choose.


As each child left to pursue education and life experiences outside the valley the farmer gave them the conditions upon which he would allow them to come back and gain their land. He told them they would need to find a spouse who could support them in the many labors that would need to be done. This kind of lifestyle would take two. He also told them that he expected them to help others along their way. There would be much work that the Farmer would need done and therefore all would have to contribute who lived there. The farmer knew the blessings of giving to others and being grateful. Therefore, each child would have to share what they grew in their section of the land with all their brothers and sisters. All his children would need to check in with him daily to find out where their help was needed to make the entire farmland run properly.


Weekly the family members would get together to discuss the matters of the farm and what all needed to be done in each section of land. These meetings were usually enjoyable but at times would cause hurt and frustration when someone became selfish and unyielding to the families overall needs. Mostly the families lived in peace and love and found true enjoyment living in this valley. Each child in their time would go out into the world and come back with a mate and take on their portion of the farm. As the family and the farm grew many realized how well fed and happy they were. It was quite a blessing having family close by and hard work to keep them busy.

When the last son heard the rules as he went out to explore the world he thought to himself 'why would I want to take part in such a simple boring life when there is so much more for me in the city?' He discussed his thoughts with his father and his father told him he would respect his wishes but miss him greatly since the demands of the farm life would not allow him to come see his son.


The son went out into the world and found it to be cruel, unhappy and many times left him feeling lonely and hungry. Many times he thought to find a wife and go back home to the farm where he knew of such wonderful and simple happiness. Whenever he would discuss his ideas with his friends they would laugh and tell him he was far smarter than to live the life of a farmer. "Farming is hard work and no real respect. Why would you want to live such an unimportant and simple life?" His friends told him many things to convince him to stay and he did. They even told him of how his father couldn't love him when he would never visit or bring food to him and so the son began to be angry with the father and the distance grew even more.


One day when he was particularly hungry and lonely he decided to go back. He stormed into his father's home with all his anger and accused his family of turning their backs on him. They reminded him that he had chosen to leave and stay away when they could have used his help. After many words he became more angry. His father tried to calm him and asked him one more time to return and take his land, but the son refused and left again to the city.

I may continue this story idea one day, but for now it is sufficient to prove my point. A few weeks back I was talking to a couple of co-workers about their feelings on why they chose to stop attending the LDS church. The discussion was very interesting and I have been compelled by one woman's reasons since. Her comment was, "I don't think you have to go to church to be a good person or even a particular faith, and I know a lot of people of many faiths and of no faith that are good genuine people." How could I argue? Growing up in Oregon I had friends who were Methodist, Mennonite, Lutheran, Calvinist, Born Again Christian, Baptist and more. They all had good strong values and some had even stronger values and devotions to God than perhaps I did. The more I thought about what I could have told her (had the feeling been right to share my feelings) the more this story came to my mind.

Just as the farmer set conditions upon his children to come back so has our Heavenly Father. He knows what has to be done to take care of his children and he knows we need to work together to make those things happen. That is why he established his church here on the earth. That is why he has organized it in a way that no matter where you are you can be taken care of if you want to seek that help out. I don't go to church to become a good person. I was raised a good person and I believe I came to this earth with those desires. I go to church so I can bless the lives of those around me and so I can find out where my talents are needed. I go to church to feel of His spirit. Just as the Farmer's family had to gather to find out what needed to be done so do we as members of God's family. Where are we going to go to find out that information if not at church? Who are we helping if we are sitting at home watching football all Sunday long? Whose lives are we blessing because we have been blessed?

Although I don't know that she will ever read this (and I do respect her a great deal) I want to say that going to church doesn't make you a good person but it does help you to remember how to become a better person. Just as the wise Farmer offered the land to his children so does our Father offer us gifts of wealth and happiness, but he will allow us to chose to accept those gifts or leave them. He will not chase us down and force us into a way of life that we do not chose, but oh how He wants to give it to us. He is our Father and He loves us, but within that love he gives us the right and the power to chose to follow Him or not. It is up to us to decide whether or not we want to live with Him. He is always willing to take us in and He has provided the way. I pray that my path will always allow me to take others with me as we work on making it back home to our inheritance and our Father in heaven.