I was reading my scriptures today in Alma 32 and was reminded of how beautiful these verses describe a relationship/marriage. Verse 37 talks about the need for nourishing it with great care that it may get root that it may grow up and bring forth fruit unto us. But then in verse 38 it talks about if you neglect the tree and take no thought for its nourishment it will not get any root. And when the heat of the sun comes and burns it because it has no root it will wither away. I look at this as the experiences that may be difficult in a relationship. If we have no roots when we go through things that are not easy we will have no ground to stand on. And the relationship will be knocked over by the wind. I love in verse 39 how it said that it’s not because the seed was not good or because the fruit was not desirable but it was because the ground was barren and you would not nourish the tree therefore you cannot have the fruit. There are a lot of amazing people and a lot of amazing men in this world along with a lot of amazing women, but no relationship is going to work out if it is not nourished. If it hasn’t grown into the ground, if it hasn’t been planted in good ground, if it hasn’t been watered. You have to get deep roots! Otherwise you won’t make it together. So how do couples get deep roots? In my little experience it starts with communication. Not being perfect at communicating but learning how to communicate best with your partner. Talking about expectations with each other and having respect and love during conversations that may be uncomfortable. Trust! Trust builds deep roots. As we communicate and grow to understand that we have each other’s best interest in mind, then we learn to trust each other. Or in my case if someone carries me up some stairs and doesn’t drop me, that builds trust also! Lol
Personal and couple scriptures and prayer, perhaps this should have been mentioned first. Being fully rooted in the gospel together is the surest way to endure life’s experiences with deep roots firmly in the dirt. And the last one I will mention is the ability to get through the daily experiences of life together. Some will be hard some will be fun, but just because you have one hard day or many in a row doesn’t mean the tree is bad. Keep moving forward! Keep growing, keep nurturing! Keep having faith. In verse 40 it talks about how when you are nourishing it you need to look forward with an eye of faith to the fruit and if you will nourish it as it begins to grow by your faith with great diligence and patience looking forward to the fruit it shall take root and it shall be a tree springing up into everlasting life. And then in 43 it says that because of your diligence and your faith and your patience and long suffering you shall reap the reward as we wait for the tree to bring forth fruit unto us.
We have to be diligent and have patience while looking forward to the fruit of the tree that will grow. Fruit doesn’t grow over night. The tree has to grow and develop roots before it can produce fruit. A relationship isn’t going to be perfect. We will have to work together to dig in the ground to plant the tree. It also has to be the right timing, you can’t plant all types of trees in the same season. We may have to wait for the right season in order for it to sprout best. We may have to be patient and wait for the next year when the ground will be more fertile. We may need to wait for the weather to be right, and we have to do our homework to learn how this particular tree will grow best. It’s going to take work, but the fruit that will come out of it will be the best fruit for us! The sweetest and most delicious! And the way we do it may not be the way others do it. It may be unconventional, and it may go against the way that we both thought things would turn out, but with the Lord by our side, it will be perfect for us! And will lead us to return to live with our Heavenly Father and mother and our brother Jesus Christ. That is the real goal in all of this!
And here is an article with their opinion on Alma 32 and relationships! Awesome! :)
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