Great souls tested through tears

"Rarely, if ever, is there a truly great soul except he has been tried and tested through tears, and adversity seemingly pruned by the hand of a master gardener. By applying the knife and the pruning hook the branch is shaped and fashioned to God's omnipotent design, in order that its full fruitage may be realized."

Harold B. Lee

One night a young idealist had a dream. He dreamed there was a new store in a nearby shopping mall. He went in and saw an angel behind a counter. Nervously, he asked what the shop sold.

"Everything your heart desires," replied the angel. "Then I want peace on earth," exclaimed the idealist. "I want an end to famine, sorrow, and disease.""Just a moment," replied the angel. "You haven't understood. We don't sell fruit here only seeds."

I pray that God will give each of us the courage and desire to strive for a pure heart, a willing heart, an understanding and loving heart. May we take the seeds offered to all of us, plant them, and nourish them that we may help harvest the matured fruit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Marvin J. Ashton