The Parable of the Leaven

"Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened" (Matthew 13:33).

I am sure there are other meanings to this parable, but when I read it, the Spirit spoke to me that I was like the bread, and the leaven was like the Spirit and the knowledge I have inside. As I read my scriptures and draw closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I grow and expand (as yeast does) in my knowledge and spiritual understanding.

When I made bread at home, I find myself retreating into the kitchen in the quiet of the afternoon, just before the kids come home. In that peaceful time, I find joy in the creation of combining separate ingredients into something useful. I love the feeling of bread dough as I knead the out lumps and bubbles, knowing that as I do so, the bread will turn out better for me and my family. In Jesus the Christ James E. Talmage says that "the process of leavening, or causing the dough 'to rise,' by fermentation of the yeast placed in the mass, is a slow one, and moreover as quiet and seemingly secret." I think that we as women need to seek out the quiet and secret moments in our lives to draw closer to Heavenly Father in prayer and study. And, as we do so, we will be better equipped to share this knowledge with others.

When I make bread, I often set aside an extra loaf to give to my neighbor or friends. It's such a simple gift, but I know how wonderful I feel when I am the recipient to fresh, home-made bread. I also love feeding my children the bread I make because I know that it is made by my hands, with simple ingredients, that will give them the energy and strength to complete their activities in the day. On that same note, when I learn and grow in the gospel, as a mom I am able to teach those truths to my children, my family, and my friends. Talmage also notes concerning this parable that "as the microscopic yeast plant develops and multiples within the dough, its myriad living cells permeate the lump, and every bit of the leaven mass is capable of affecting likewise another batch of properly prepared meal." The yeast in dough can be taken, shared, and help other loaves of bread rise. How wonderful that we have that same capacity to share our testimonies to our friends and our family. And in turn, they can gain their own understanding of Jesus Christ and develop a testimony of their own.

From now on, when I make bread, I will remember the parable of the leaven. As I watch my yeast grow in the bread, expanding the dough until the bread is fully risen, I will remember how I have the opportunity to grow in the gospel. And in turn, I can share that knowledge with others.