The parable of the watchtower was a revelation that was given to Joseph Smith in December of 1833. I think that this parable is even more applicable today, when the adversary is designing even more crafty weapons to use against the kingdom of God. It begins by telling of a Nobleman who wants to guard his vineyard.
43 And now, I will show unto you a parable, that you may know my will concerning the redemption of Zion.
44 A certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his servants: Go ye unto my vineyard, even upon this very choice piece of land, and plant twelve olive-trees;
45 And set watchmen round about them, and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive-trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard.
46 Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, and planted the olive-trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a tower.
The problem that comes next is that the servants begin to question the need for a watchtower at all.
47 And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among themselves: And what need hath my lord of this tower?
48 And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves: What need hath my lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace?
49 Might not this money be given to the exchangers? For there is no need of these things.
50 And while they were at variance one with another they became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord.
What the Nobleman foresaw, actually came to pass. A thief came in the night and raided his vineyard.
51 And the enemy came by night, and broke down the hedge; and the servants of the nobleman arose and were affrighted, and fled; and the enemy destroyed their works, and broke down the olive-trees.
Of course the Nobleman is upset, and wants to know how this thing could happen.
52 Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon his servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this great evil?
53 Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you, and—after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set watchmen upon the walls thereof—built the tower also, and set a watchman upon the tower, and watched for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should come upon you?
54 And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.
Today God gives us watchmen on the tower to warn us of dangers to come. Those watchmen we call Prophets. I'm so thankful for a living prophet who can foresee dangers and warn us how to protect ourselves. In recent years, the Prophet gave us forewarning by giving us the Proclamation on the Family. This came about at a very important time, before same sex marriage became such a huge political issue. The Prophet warned us to safeguard marriage, and to fight for this cause. He continues to give us counsel to help us prepare for what may lie ahead. I am thankful for this protection that the Lord provides for us.
2 comments:
I live in Mumbai, India and I would like to develop a one hour performance on the Parables of Jesus and am looking for people that might like to develop this concept together. Let me know if you are interested. new2mailbox@yahoo.com
elixirmime.com
Below is the script I did for the Talents, including the watchman.
Talents
The MASTER receives a phone call and packs his bags to go. On the way out he lines up his SERVANTS. To the FIRST SERVANT he gives 5 (this could be 5 items in a bag or container). To the SECOND SERVANT he gives 2 (2 items in a bag or container). To the THIRD SERVANT he gives 1 (1 item in a bag or container).
The Master also puts a SECURITY GUARD to watch the house and a safe. The Guard salutes and then stands guard. He walks back and forth.
The Master says goodbye and exits.
After a while though the Guard gets tired and nods off.
While he is nodding a THIEF sneaks in and tries to crack the safe. One of Servants who is busy trading sees him and chases him off. The Servant wakes up the guard but the guard nods off again after awhile.
The first two Servants go out into the audience and trade with the audience. Their object is to get twice as many items as when they began. This could be a simple numbers or actual items given from prearranged people in the audience. Items would be more interesting. This might be similar to the clip seen on YouTube of the man who exchanged a blue paperclip again and again until he had a house. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcoUJrq_uvU&feature=related
The Third Servant is fearful of someone stealing his 1. He wraps it up and buries or puts in a box and sits on it. He goes to sleep on it while the other Servants are still trading.
Suddenly, a trumpet is heard (SFX Trumpet) and the Master returns and calls all his Servants again. They line up as in the first scene. The guard also wakes up after some prodding (maybe a bucket of water on his face).
The Master asks the First Servant for a reckoning of what he did. The First Servant shows that now he has 10 items. The Master is pleased and gives him a hug and gives him the deed to 10 properties (cities).
The Master also does the same with the Second Servant. He asks for a reckoning. The Second Servant shows that now he has 4 and the Master also embraces him and gives him the deed to 4 properties (cities).
The Master now comes to the Third Servant who reaches down into his bag and proudly shows his 1. The Master is not pleased. He motions to the other Servants. He takes the 1 from him and gives it to the First Servant who now has 10. He commands (in gibberish) the two other Servants to throw him out. The Third Servant begs for mercy but the Servants pick him up and throw him off the stage.
SFX of a party. Everyone dances and has fun grooving to the music. The Third Servant looks on sadly at what is happening. The Servants and the Master exit happily and the Third Servant goes through the audience and out the back sadly.
“Might not this money be given to the exchangers?” 📈🏦📉⚡️
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