Teach of Me
LDS Extension Services
February 8, 2009

Agenda & Reminders
 Hymn #223 —Have I Done Any Good?
 Thought by Daryl (next week: Kim)
 Ensign to the Nations due today
 Team Teaching due in about 3 weeks
 Guest speaker March 1

Today’s topics
 3 Keys to Understand parables
 Parable of Good Samaritan
 How to learn find truth and knowledge

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #1
• sower
• Wheat and tares
• Mustard seed
• Leaven
• Hidden treasure
• Pearl of great price
• Net cast into sea

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #1
Our Lord used parables on frequent occasions during His ministry to teach gospel truths. His purpose, however, in telling these short stories was not to present the truths of His gospel in plainness so that all His hearers would understand.

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #1
Rather it was so to phrase and hide the doctrine involved that only the spiritually literate would understand it, while those whose understandings were darkened would remain in darkness. It is never proper to teach any person more than his spiritual capacity qualifies him to assimilate.

How can this help explain the “Good Samaritan”?
McConkie, MD 553

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #1 Summary
 Knowledge is revealed to spiritually ready
 Conceals from those not ready, especially regarding the Atonement
Does that mean if we don’t understand a parable, then we are living wicked lives?

John W. Welch, “The Good Samaritan:
Forgotten Symbols,”
Ensign , Feb 2007
We’ll use Good Samaritan to practice these 3 keys to understanding parables

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #2
In reference to the prodigal son, I said it was a subject I had never dwelt upon; that it was understood by many to be one of the intricate subjects of the scriptures; and even the Elders of this Church have preached largely upon it, without having any rule of interpretation. What is the rule of interpretation? Just no interpretation at all.
Understand it precisely as it reads.
What does this mean?

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #2
I have a key by which I understand the scriptures. I enquire [sic], what was the question which drew out the answer, or caused Jesus to utter the parable? To ascertain its meaning, we must dig up the root and ascertain what it was that drew the saying out of Jesus.
TPJS 276-77

Luke 10:25-37
 What is the context?
 2 Questions:
 v.29 “Who is my neighbor?”
 v.25 “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

When reading, think of how the parable’s symbols relate to the Atonement

Symbols and Meanings: Not so deep
 A Certain Man
 Went Down
 Jerusalem
 Jericho
 Fell / Thieves
 Stripped of Raiment
 Wounded
 Half Dead
Adam or each of us!
The Fall
Heaven
Earth
Sin
Spirit taken away (cf. 2 Ne.9:14)
Afflicted with the carnal man
Spiritually dead

Symbols and Meanings: Not so deep
 Priest / Levite
 Samaritan
 Compassion / Bound Wounds
 Oil / Wine
 Inn / Took Care of Him
 Two Pence
 Host – Inn Keeper
Law of Moses (2 Ne. 2)
Christ
Mercy and Love
H.G. / Atonement
The Church
Grace
Head of the Church

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #2 Summary
 Understand Context
 What was the question that encouraged the parable to be told?
How does knowing the question also explain the parable?

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #3
Alma 12:9-11

Mysteries of God given to righteous

Mysteries of parables are given to those who righteously seek them and are prepared for them (similar to what?)

(see key 1--parables conceal doctrine)
 How do we “righteously seek” the mysteries of God?

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #3
A=1/2bh
P=a+b+c
Cos=adj/hyp
Perimeter
Area
By knowing 3 small parts, we can gain knowledge of more truths that appear “hidden”

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #3
Greater Portion
Lesser Portion

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #3 Summary
Learning the mysteries of God:

Jesus and John: grace upon grace

How did that help them grow spiritually?

Live truth to GET more truth

Relates to Calling and Election

Taught later in Mission of Holy Ghost lesson

Allow the Holy Ghost to teach you

Keys to Understanding the
Parables – Key #3
If you become one who just knows the truths rather than one who seeks to apply them, you will not teach by the spirit and you will not change people’s lives, including your own. The Lord gives us truth on the basis of how fast we apply them. If you’ll put them into your life – changing self, repenting – the Lord will continue to give you more and more.
Elder Gene R. Cook, September 1989, to BYU Religious Ed. Dept.

Keys to Understanding the
Parables
1. Parables often conceal doctrine, especial the doctrine of the atonement
2. Context – what drew out the saying from Jesus
3. Live the truth to get more truth!

Using Parables to Gain Knowledge
As spiritual knowledge unfolds it must be:
1. understood
2. valued
3. obeyed
4. remembered
5. and expanded
Richard G. Scott, CR October 1993, p.117.

Next Week
 Parable of the Talents
 Decisions in our pre-earth life, and how that affects earth life
 Prodigal Son