“Eyes to see” and “ears to hear” is a figurative way of describing those who pay attention to, and are willing to follow the prophet. It doesn’t mean we won’t struggle with some of what they say. All of us at one point or another, most likely will.
This week’s Come Follow Me lesson from Matt 13: 3-8, 18-23 asks us to consider how well we receive truth from the Lord and when we don’t like it, how we can cultivate “good ground.” For some, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” has some “thorny” aspects, difficult to understand or accept.
However, it is full of inspired answers to society’s problems and is a firm anchor for individuals and families in a world of shifting values. While it is a statement of the doctrine for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the values of home and family improvement contained in this proclamation are shared by people all over the world and of many different faiths.
Some ways others have resisted the temptation to ignore prophetic counsel and wisdom:
• “I always feel it’s important to go straight to their words, not commentary or what others say.”
• “We need to gain a testimony of the mantle of their callings, not their celebrity status—that’s not what they are.”
• “If we struggle with the way, judge the fruits of their counsel. In every case I’ve ever seen, it’s an improvement. The fruits of the gospel are real and good.”
• “It’s possible to actually feel grateful when something a prophet says upsets us. It shows us where we have a weakness or something unresolved that we can work on.”
“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, … Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt 13:7-9)
What helps you HEAR?