“The Parable of the Nobleman: A Lesson in Obedience,” Liahona, September 2021
Come, Follow Me
The Parable of the Nobleman: A Lesson in Obedience
Doctrine and Covenants 101:43–62 presents a parable that was given to explain why the Saints had been driven out of Missouri.
In the parable, the servants start building a tower but then decide that “there is no need” for one (Doctrine and Covenants 101:49). But because they do not build the tower, they have no warning when an enemy breaks in and destroys the vineyard.
A nobleman instructs his servants to plant a vineyard and build a hedge around the trees and a tower so that a watchman can look over the land.
Servants plant the vineyard and build the hedge but decide not to build the tower.
An unforeseen enemy destroys the vineyard.
Illustrations by Ben Simonsen
Do I ever question the commandments of God?
Have you, like the servants, ever wondered if a commandment was really necessary? This parable teaches us that the Lord’s commandments protect us and help us live happy lives (see also Mosiah 2:41; Doctrine and Covenants 82:8–10).
What can we do if we don’t see the need for a commandment?
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Study the topic and pray for the Lord to help us “feel that it is right” (Doctrine and Covenants 9:8).
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Remember times in the past when obedience brought blessings.1
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Act in faith, trusting that we will understand “after the trial of [our] faith” (Ether 12:6).