Stony Place or Good Ground

Stony Place or Good Ground

Stony Place or Good Ground
Mormon History Related

"[In the parable of the sower,] the second seed, which 'fell upon stony places,' describes those who joyfully hear the word and thrive as long as all goes well. But when trials come and they feel peer pressure because of their beliefs, they are offended and do not endure. . . ."Some seeds fell upon stony places in the early days of the Church when the Prophet Joseph Smith issued calls to several converts to serve as missionaries. One of them was Simonds Ryder, who was ordained an elder on June 6, 1831, by Joseph Smith. After reading the revelation that pertained to him and finding that his name had been spelled 'Rider' instead of 'Ryder,' he became offended, apparently unaware that Joseph Smith often dictated revelations to his scribes. His disillusionment over the misspelling of his name led not only to his apostasy but ultimately to his infamy in helping to tar and feather the Prophet Joseph. Like the seed that fell upon stony places, Simonds Ryder joyfully received the word at first but quickly became offended over a trivial matter and lost his place in the kingdom of God."
-- James E. Faust, "Of Seeds and Soils," Ensign, Nov. 1999, 46?47