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Sharlene C.

His Flowers Must Be Nurtured

We all know that a lovely flower garden does not just happen all by itself. It requires someone who really loves flowers and is willing to put in the time, effort and patience that is needed to create one.

Alma made it very clear that merely planting seeds in good soil is not enough. They need to be nourished and cared for to bring them to their potential.

To paraphrase Alma's words:

Behold, as the flower beginneth to grow, let us nourish it with great care, and behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root and grow, and bring forth beautiful blossoms.

But, if ye neglect the flowers, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold, it will not get root, and when the heat of the sun comes and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it will wither away and be cast off.

Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither it is because the flowers would not be desirable; but it is because the ground is barren, and ye do not nourish it; therefore ye cannot have the blossoms thereof.

Like the seeds, if ye will not nourish the Sisters with love and understanding, looking forward with an eye of faith to her potential, ye can never see her great beauty.

But, if ye will nourish each sister, as she begins to grow, with faith, and with great diligence, and with patience; looking forward to the beauty of her spirit, she shall awaken her sleeping petals into full blossom in Heavenly Father's garden.

The Sisters that you visit teach are the flowers that are in your watchcare in that part of the Lord's Garden.  We are very concerned about the sisters that were not visited last month.  In fact, some of them have not been visited for several months.  When we do not nurture our sisters, we are failing ourselves. Failing the sisters that we are neglecting, and most of all, we are failing the Lord, who is depending on us to care for His precious daughters.

When you cannot make a personal visit, you need to make a phone visit, or send a card so that she will know that you really care about her well being.

But putting forth whatever effort it takes to reach each sister every month, the Lord will bless our lives as we bless the lives of our sisters.

I know that I need his blessings in my life.  I hope that all of us will rededicate our efforts to nurture each sister in our watchcare more diligently so that we will grow and blossom in the Lord's garden.

Alma 32:37-41