Wheat and Tares - Words of the Apostles

So, in my brain, in the parable of the wheat and the tares, the enemy that soweth the tares in the field is Satan. That's because in Matt 13, the explanation is that it's Satan. Here's the story:

24¶Another ^aparable put he forth unto them, saying, The^bkingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good ^cseedin his field:

25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed ^atares among the wheat, and went his way.

26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30Let both grow together until the ^aharvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together ^bfirst the tares, and bind them in bundles to ^cburn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Here's the explanation, also in Matthew 13:

36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the ^atares of the field.

37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good^aseed is the Son of man;

38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the ^atares are the children of the wicked one;

39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; ^athe ^bharvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the ^aend of this world.

41The Son of man shall send forth his ^aangels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that ^boffend, and them which do iniquity;

42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be^awailing and ^bgnashing of teeth.

However, look at this additional explanation in the latter-days when this parable is closer to being fulfilled. D.C. 86:

2Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the ^asowers of the seed;

3And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the ^awhore, even ^bBabylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the ^ctares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the ^dchurch into the wilderness.

4But behold, in the ^alast days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—

5Behold, verily I say unto you, the ^aangels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to^breap down the fields;

6But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.

7Therefore, let the wheat and the ^atares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be^bburned.

In particular, verse 3. It is the followers of Satan who have pushed the church into the wilderness and sowed the tares. I could put more thought into this, but I think it's been true that outside forces on this earth have consistently pushed the church into tough positions (killed the Apostles in ancient days; entire church persecuted in our time) and also have pushed individuals out of the church. It's his followers and influence that I've seen cause tares to exist in the world. I think my point here is that it's harder to see evil and confusion when we say "satan" is the author as opposed to saying, people are those who are causing the problems. It's much more direct. The Apostles sow truth and explain the Gospel in clear ways while testifying of Jesus and the reality of the plan of salvation. Many others preach things that confuse and muddy people's understanding of the purpose of life and the way to live.

I just listened to Elder Nelson's conference talk, Face the Future with Faith, today, and three things stood out. First of all, this line: Thus, our faith now becomes part of our posterity’s faith later.

That is so true. Every faithful action we take has an influence on our posterity and makes it more or less likely that they will love the Savior. No man is an island :) I can clearly see how my faith influences my children.

Also, this: "Fidelity to covenants made there will qualify you and your family for the blessings of eternal life."

Elder Nelson speaks of eternal life as if it were a certainty, and it is. It will truly exist for some.

Finally, Elder Nelson spoke of the reality of our heavenly Father and his angels helping us through this life: Your rewards come not only hereafter. Many blessings will be yours in this life, among your children and grandchildren. You faithful Saints do not have to fight life’s battles alone. Think of that! The Lord declared, “I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”¹⁷ Later came this promise to His faithful people: “I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children’s battles, and their children’s children’s, … to the third and fourth generation.” ¹⁸

Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson has given us his prophetic witness. He said: “I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.”

These are bold statements, and he speaks with clarity about them. Our faith affects our posterity in significant ways. Eternal Life is a reality. And we have help from the other side in living this life if we are faithful.

I appreciate the seeds the Apostles sow. Also, I recognize there are other seeds that are sown that do not bring clarity or help truth grow inside people. Eventually, it will be clear who was correct and who have followed the Apostles.

Have a good night.