“If Ye Nourish, It Shall Be a Tree Springing Up Unto Everlasting Life”

Brant Gardner

In contrast, if they actively nourish and tend the tree, understanding its eternal value, it will continue to grow until it fulfills that promise.

Reference: Joseph’s faith was strengthened when he again took to his knees to ask God of his position.

In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the above-mentioned twenty-first of September, after I had retired to my bed for the night, I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one.
While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a light appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor. (JS—H 1:29–30)

Joseph once again acted on his faith and stepped into uncertainty. The exercise of faith itself was firm because he knew that he had been answered before, but he now had a different question, a different purpose. Neglect had delayed his mission, but his action now placed it in his central focus.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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