"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
"Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof" (Matthew 13:31-32).
With just six men participating in the organization of the Church at Peter Whitmer Sr.'s small home, this seed of the gospel was planted in rich earth. With a small group that should have received virtually no attention from outsiders, led by Joseph Smith, who earlier called himself "an obscure boy" (Joseph Smith--History 1:22), this gospel and kingdom got its roots.
As the "mustard seed" was planted, it was well nourished and empowered. Joseph would later say the following regarding this parable:
"And again, another parable put He forth unto them, having an allusion to the Kingdom that should be set up, just previous to or at the time of the harvest, which reads as follows--"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but, when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." Now we can discover plainly that this figure is given to represent the Church as it shall come forth in the last days. Behold, the kingdom of Heaven is likened unto it. Now, what is like unto it?
"Let us take the Book of Mormon, which a man took and hid in his field, securing it by his faith, to spring up in the last days, or in due time; let us behold it coming forth out of the ground, which is indeed accounted the least of all seeds, but behold it branching forth, yea, even towering, with lofty branches, and God-like majesty, until it, like the mustard seed, becomes the greatest of all herbs. And it is truth, and it has sprouted and come forth out of the earth, and righteousness begins to look down from heaven, and God is sending down His powers, gifts and angels, to lodge in the branches thereof" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 98).
It doesn't become just any tree. It has the power of the Priesthood, gifts such as those described in Doctrine and Covenants, section 46, and heavenly messengers, such as those sent on April 3, 1836 (an Easter Sunday) to restore precious priesthood keys. Indeed, angels lodged in the branches.
And as righteousness was sent down from heaven, truth was springing forth from the earth (see Moses 7:62; Psalm 85:11). The Book of Mormon was another seed planted. It is tangible evidence of Joseph’s prophetic mission.
And Jesus gave another parable with parallels for the restored kingdom set up on earth. He said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened” (Matthew 13:33).
But what are the “three measures” spoken of? I should re-phrase the question, “Who are the three measures? Joseph Smith says they are the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon. He said,
“It may be understood that the Church of the Latter-day Saints has taken its rise from a little leaven that was put into three witnesses. Behold, how much this is like the parable! It is fast leavening the lump, and will soon leaven the whole” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 100).
Now I don’t think he was speaking only of three men. I think he is speaking of a principle. The growth of the kingdom of God is occurring because people all over the world are gaining testimonies of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the gospel. It grows the Church, and it grows you and me! It leavens the loaf!
You and I may not see the plates or have an angel come to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon, but we can actually have a testimony just as sure as the Three Witnesses.
I am so very grateful for the gift of testimony.
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