I echo the above comments. I have watched in great dismay as 5 of our 6 adult children have left the Church I love. Your article is so inspiring and brings great hope not just to me but to many friends who are going through similar intense struggles as I have forwarded the article to them.
Thank you for the amazing insights into this allegory that I have not seen in such a personal way before
Ayse KOCHJuly 24, 2022
The spirit was so strong as I read this article; all the truths that you related were so crystal clear through the allegories and through your personal experiences with troubled souls. Thank you for sharing this knowledge. It is an article I know a few people who speak other languages would want to read. I will try my best to translate it for them if it is ok with you.
RebeccaJuly 20, 2022
This article and your previous one, "Are We Losing" have been a balm to my soul. I sent the link of "Are We Losing" to my husband, who loved it, and to a friend who sent it to her family members. They all said it was just what they needed. Thank you for writing about your experiences with a perspective so many of us need!
TraceyGJuly 11, 2022
Waiting on the Lord can be excruciating when our own children are at stake. We pray, we stress, we pray some more, and sometimes we do more than will be good for them. I am learning to hold back and wait for God to do his work with them. Thank you for bringing into perspective the joy that will eventually come because we finally learn to wait and see the miracles.
Dr. Craig R. FrogleyJuly 10, 2022
I have loved everything that you have written but this is the best, most skillfully crafted, and spiritually touching of all. Thank you for both the article and the mission you have undertaken!
PhilJuly 10, 2022
Along with all who have commented, I thank you for this wonderful, life-changing article. I needed it so much. It confirms the hope I have had that the Lord knows what He is doing and when is the best time to do it. Thank you.
Rochelle HaleJuly 9, 2022
I will have to re-read this article several times. As parents, we have seen one child struggle immensely due to turning away from the Church. He was not anti-church, but the lure of the world won out until finally devastation and tragedy brought him to his knees with nowhere else to turn but the Lord for the ultimate peace he was seeking. He is a changed and happy man today. Sadly, another son succumbed to traps he tried diligently to avoid to the point he abandoned the gospel and his family because "we were to blame." Our children are on loan to us from a loving and wise Heavenly Father who has given us all the great gift of agency. Our hearts are full of love, compassion, and concern as we pray daily for those who have lost to, once again, enjoy God's full measure of blessings in this life and forever.
Linda SmithJuly 9, 2022
EXCELLENT!!! Absolutely wonderful perspective on how Heavenly Father and Christ teach us. Patience is SO important!!
AnnetteJuly 9, 2022
That was simply amazing! I will never read Jacob 5 the same ever again! Thank you!
DKEJuly 9, 2022
Thank you for this! I have a daughter who left the Church some years ago and is a lesbian. We love her so much and we've been as supportive as we can. The pain we feel has been so hard. Your article gives us hope.
Teri N.July 9, 2022
We have been enduring some excruciating trials with our oldest, who left the Church, the Family, all that was good and turned to some evil practices, the Wiccan ways, and identifies as non-binary queer. She seems to delight in taking "jabs" at us, and her emotional and mental stability we question, as her yo-yo life continues. The Spirit has guided us, but one thing He told me, in particular, 11 years ago was to "let her go completely", just stand back and have nothing to do with her. Well, in today's society most well-intentioned folks (the few we shared it with) all encourage me to hang in there, don't lose hope and "make sure" to keep the door open and extend that hand and keep contact. I felt guilty if I didn't do that. So I did. Just about 3 months ago, the Lord took matters into His own hands, and she has broken off all contact. (Mind you, this includes no contact with our grandchildren too.) And I know it's ok. It's what He told me to do 11 years ago, but my mother's heart found it too hard. Now it's happening. This week, in particular was hard, as some things resurfaced. I've been praying for patience and understanding. This article came just 1 day after our latest 'fiasco.' And I cannot tell you how grateful I am for it. It is perfect timing, and exactly the answer to my prayers and the yearnings of my heart that I've been asking for. This is for me, as much as it is for our daughter, too. Thank you for writing this. You have helped greatly. By the way, about 2.5 years ago, we looked into The Other Side Academy as a possible place for my alcoholic brother to go to, as we searched for rehabs and programs after rehabs where he could attend. He's not ready yet. I will continue to wait in patience for both my daughter and brother, as the Lord helps prepare them for the digging, pruning and dunging.
Joy SchmidtJuly 8, 2022
The insights, perceptions, experiences, scriptural interpretations, and spirit of this article have buoyed me up in a way I so needed. Hope has been brightened, faith bolstered, and confidence in the truth that charity never faileth refreshed. I can actually claim joy in my promises which have seemed so impossible. The temptation to believe I just haven't persuaded well enough, lived perfect enough, has made me weary. I am 84 and waiting to claim the promised desire of my heart as the fractured nature of my family keeps assuring me its just a pipedream. I love seeing the parable of the Oive Tree in this new way that encourages me to wait on the Lord with faith in His timing as I dig, prune, and nourish where I can and as I am directed. Thank you thank you thank you.
KathyJuly 8, 2022
Beautiful message of hope and patience. Thank you.
ChrisJuly 8, 2022
Awesome insights! Thank you so much...
As a recovering addict and now an ARP missionary I know through experience everything you've written is true. It's never too late and we're never too far away from His grace...
Janna MorrellJuly 8, 2022
Absolutely a must-read for every member of the church and for those who may have lost hope. I am renewed in my conviction to “Wait upon the Lord”.
Gale BoydJuly 8, 2022
This is a masterpiece and something I really needed to hear. Thank you so much.
LuettaJuly 8, 2022
Reading this article was my opportunity to experience the lessons of the Olive Tree when I needed the reminder that God is in charge. I must learn the value of patience. Thank you.
Lawrence BarryJuly 8, 2022
Thank you so much for your wisdom, insights, and testimony. 3 of my 5 children and all of their children have wandered off the covenant path. After reading your article, the Holy Spirit confirmed that God is not finished with my family nor will He ever be.
Ronald BarnesJuly 8, 2022
One of my favorite success stories is that of Eldridge Cleaver. He did some very wicked things, but God turned him around and put him on the straight and narrow path. You can look him up on Wikipedia.
Amy LeachJuly 8, 2022
Brother Grenny, thank you for this amazing article! The Spirit was with you, my friend, when you were authoring this. I wholeheartedly agree with your words! Being given the chance to use my free agency to fail and grow and learn is how my testimony has been born. There is NO other way while we are in this mortal life, that one can obtain that 'personal' knowledge for themselves- unless it be through that God-given agency. May Heavenly Father bless you and your family! You have much great work to do!
DBJuly 8, 2022
Thank you for this beautiful sermon of truth. As the mother of four faithful and four who have left the path and wounded us deeply, this was medicine to my soul. I have had eyes rolled at me when I say that I know the Lord will turn their hearts back to our family and to the covenant path. I feel it in my bones and I'm grateful for a gospel that gives us faith in His relentless redemptiveness. I would have learned that no other way than to walk the path of a worried mother.
AshleyJuly 8, 2022
What a beautifully inspiring article. This is just what I needed to hear today. Thank you.
Rita MillerJuly 8, 2022
Thank you for this different perspective on two of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon. They are usually presented as having a national, collective warning and meaning, and I had not seen the intensely personal, individual side before.
Comments | Return to Story
JennyApril 29, 2024
I echo the above comments. I have watched in great dismay as 5 of our 6 adult children have left the Church I love. Your article is so inspiring and brings great hope not just to me but to many friends who are going through similar intense struggles as I have forwarded the article to them. Thank you for the amazing insights into this allegory that I have not seen in such a personal way before
Ayse KOCHJuly 24, 2022
The spirit was so strong as I read this article; all the truths that you related were so crystal clear through the allegories and through your personal experiences with troubled souls. Thank you for sharing this knowledge. It is an article I know a few people who speak other languages would want to read. I will try my best to translate it for them if it is ok with you.
RebeccaJuly 20, 2022
This article and your previous one, "Are We Losing" have been a balm to my soul. I sent the link of "Are We Losing" to my husband, who loved it, and to a friend who sent it to her family members. They all said it was just what they needed. Thank you for writing about your experiences with a perspective so many of us need!
TraceyGJuly 11, 2022
Waiting on the Lord can be excruciating when our own children are at stake. We pray, we stress, we pray some more, and sometimes we do more than will be good for them. I am learning to hold back and wait for God to do his work with them. Thank you for bringing into perspective the joy that will eventually come because we finally learn to wait and see the miracles.
Dr. Craig R. FrogleyJuly 10, 2022
I have loved everything that you have written but this is the best, most skillfully crafted, and spiritually touching of all. Thank you for both the article and the mission you have undertaken!
PhilJuly 10, 2022
Along with all who have commented, I thank you for this wonderful, life-changing article. I needed it so much. It confirms the hope I have had that the Lord knows what He is doing and when is the best time to do it. Thank you.
Rochelle HaleJuly 9, 2022
I will have to re-read this article several times. As parents, we have seen one child struggle immensely due to turning away from the Church. He was not anti-church, but the lure of the world won out until finally devastation and tragedy brought him to his knees with nowhere else to turn but the Lord for the ultimate peace he was seeking. He is a changed and happy man today. Sadly, another son succumbed to traps he tried diligently to avoid to the point he abandoned the gospel and his family because "we were to blame." Our children are on loan to us from a loving and wise Heavenly Father who has given us all the great gift of agency. Our hearts are full of love, compassion, and concern as we pray daily for those who have lost to, once again, enjoy God's full measure of blessings in this life and forever.
Linda SmithJuly 9, 2022
EXCELLENT!!! Absolutely wonderful perspective on how Heavenly Father and Christ teach us. Patience is SO important!!
AnnetteJuly 9, 2022
That was simply amazing! I will never read Jacob 5 the same ever again! Thank you!
DKEJuly 9, 2022
Thank you for this! I have a daughter who left the Church some years ago and is a lesbian. We love her so much and we've been as supportive as we can. The pain we feel has been so hard. Your article gives us hope.
Teri N.July 9, 2022
We have been enduring some excruciating trials with our oldest, who left the Church, the Family, all that was good and turned to some evil practices, the Wiccan ways, and identifies as non-binary queer. She seems to delight in taking "jabs" at us, and her emotional and mental stability we question, as her yo-yo life continues. The Spirit has guided us, but one thing He told me, in particular, 11 years ago was to "let her go completely", just stand back and have nothing to do with her. Well, in today's society most well-intentioned folks (the few we shared it with) all encourage me to hang in there, don't lose hope and "make sure" to keep the door open and extend that hand and keep contact. I felt guilty if I didn't do that. So I did. Just about 3 months ago, the Lord took matters into His own hands, and she has broken off all contact. (Mind you, this includes no contact with our grandchildren too.) And I know it's ok. It's what He told me to do 11 years ago, but my mother's heart found it too hard. Now it's happening. This week, in particular was hard, as some things resurfaced. I've been praying for patience and understanding. This article came just 1 day after our latest 'fiasco.' And I cannot tell you how grateful I am for it. It is perfect timing, and exactly the answer to my prayers and the yearnings of my heart that I've been asking for. This is for me, as much as it is for our daughter, too. Thank you for writing this. You have helped greatly. By the way, about 2.5 years ago, we looked into The Other Side Academy as a possible place for my alcoholic brother to go to, as we searched for rehabs and programs after rehabs where he could attend. He's not ready yet. I will continue to wait in patience for both my daughter and brother, as the Lord helps prepare them for the digging, pruning and dunging.
Joy SchmidtJuly 8, 2022
The insights, perceptions, experiences, scriptural interpretations, and spirit of this article have buoyed me up in a way I so needed. Hope has been brightened, faith bolstered, and confidence in the truth that charity never faileth refreshed. I can actually claim joy in my promises which have seemed so impossible. The temptation to believe I just haven't persuaded well enough, lived perfect enough, has made me weary. I am 84 and waiting to claim the promised desire of my heart as the fractured nature of my family keeps assuring me its just a pipedream. I love seeing the parable of the Oive Tree in this new way that encourages me to wait on the Lord with faith in His timing as I dig, prune, and nourish where I can and as I am directed. Thank you thank you thank you.
KathyJuly 8, 2022
Beautiful message of hope and patience. Thank you.
ChrisJuly 8, 2022
Awesome insights! Thank you so much... As a recovering addict and now an ARP missionary I know through experience everything you've written is true. It's never too late and we're never too far away from His grace...
Janna MorrellJuly 8, 2022
Absolutely a must-read for every member of the church and for those who may have lost hope. I am renewed in my conviction to “Wait upon the Lord”.
Gale BoydJuly 8, 2022
This is a masterpiece and something I really needed to hear. Thank you so much.
LuettaJuly 8, 2022
Reading this article was my opportunity to experience the lessons of the Olive Tree when I needed the reminder that God is in charge. I must learn the value of patience. Thank you.
Lawrence BarryJuly 8, 2022
Thank you so much for your wisdom, insights, and testimony. 3 of my 5 children and all of their children have wandered off the covenant path. After reading your article, the Holy Spirit confirmed that God is not finished with my family nor will He ever be.
Ronald BarnesJuly 8, 2022
One of my favorite success stories is that of Eldridge Cleaver. He did some very wicked things, but God turned him around and put him on the straight and narrow path. You can look him up on Wikipedia.
Amy LeachJuly 8, 2022
Brother Grenny, thank you for this amazing article! The Spirit was with you, my friend, when you were authoring this. I wholeheartedly agree with your words! Being given the chance to use my free agency to fail and grow and learn is how my testimony has been born. There is NO other way while we are in this mortal life, that one can obtain that 'personal' knowledge for themselves- unless it be through that God-given agency. May Heavenly Father bless you and your family! You have much great work to do!
DBJuly 8, 2022
Thank you for this beautiful sermon of truth. As the mother of four faithful and four who have left the path and wounded us deeply, this was medicine to my soul. I have had eyes rolled at me when I say that I know the Lord will turn their hearts back to our family and to the covenant path. I feel it in my bones and I'm grateful for a gospel that gives us faith in His relentless redemptiveness. I would have learned that no other way than to walk the path of a worried mother.
AshleyJuly 8, 2022
What a beautifully inspiring article. This is just what I needed to hear today. Thank you.
Rita MillerJuly 8, 2022
Thank you for this different perspective on two of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon. They are usually presented as having a national, collective warning and meaning, and I had not seen the intensely personal, individual side before.
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