The Savior did not teach all His doctrines in plainness and simplicity. He veiled the meaning of some teachings through the use of parables.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Council of the Twelve wrote in Mormon Doctrine:"Our Lord used parables on frequent occasions during His ministry to teach gospel truths. His purpose, however, in telling these short stories was not to present the truths of His gospel in plainness so that all His hearers would understand. Rather it was so to phrase and hide the doctrine involved that only the spiritually literate would understand it, while those whose understanding were darkened would remain in darkness. (Matt. 13:10-17.)

"It is never proper to teach any person more than his spiritual capacity qualifies him to assimilate. For instance: Jesus first gave and then partially interpreted the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43), and yet its full meaning was so obscure that a special interpretive revelation was required in modern times. (D&C 86.)

"The principle involved which necessitates the policy of teaching by parables is found in Amulek's statement: `It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.' (Alma 12:9.)

"The difference in receptiveness to the truth of the Jews, among whom our Lord ministered in mortality, and the Nephites, to whom He went after His resurrection, is nowhere better shown than in the fact that He gave at least 40 parables to the Jews, but He taught the Nephites, not in parables, but in plainness."

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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: Jesus the Christ, by Elder James E. Talmage; Mormon Doctrine, by Elder Bruce R. McConkie; and October 1978 general conference report.