Growing Words

Today I am teaching the great speech Alma gives to the Zoramites in Antionum, when he compares the word of God to a seed. I cannot read Alma 32:28 without a feeling of childish delight causing a happy chuckle. In that verse Alma explains that if a word is a good word you will know it because when it is planted in your heart it will begin to swell within you, it will enlarge your soul, it will enlighten your understanding, and it will be delicious to you. In other words, you will feel the goodness of the words and those good words will in turn grow into faith.

But look closely at the first letter of those descriptive words. It will Swell, Enlarge, Enlighten, and be Delicious.The acronym spells SEED. That play on words is repeated in verses 34 and 35 with the words, Sprouted, Enlightened, Expand, and Discernible.

It makes me think that God loves language and words as much as I do!

Words Grow Faith

In the Book of Mormon the great prophet, Alma, compares a seed to the word of God (Alma 32:28). For some reason most people read that and think Alma is comparing the seed to faith, but you lose the whole meaning if you do that. He explains that if you plant the seed (the word) it will grow into faith so faith is the fruit not the seed.

A seed is a source of something, but it is something specific. The source of a carrot is not a radish seed. A seed is potential for something else; something bigger and better than the seed itself. For the seed to grow it needs to be nourished and cared for. If that happens, it achieves its potential and brings forth fruit. With that in mind let your imagination soar to make associations. 

A word is a source of something specific. A word is potential for something else. But for the word to grow into faith it needs to be nourished and cared for.

And how do you know if that word is growing into faith? Alma explains that you will feel it swell within you, enlarge your soul, enlighten your mind, and be delicious. (See Alma 32:28).

Take the first letter of those descriptive words to make an acronym and see what you get. Swell. Enlarge. Enlighten. Delicious. Then in verses 34 and 35 Alma explains that the word will Sprout, Enlighten, Expand and be Discernible. Alma uses words in very clever ways to teach us about words and how they become faith. I love it!