December 15, 2025

Hey guys, how was everyone's week? I hope things went well. Maybe Christmas is starting to feel like Christmas for you guys. It definitely is beginning to FEEL like Christmas, but with 85-90 degree weather. This week actually has been pretty chill though. Cloudy pretty much all week which is a real blessing for me. There title today translates to "sick house". And not in a cool way. Or whole apartment for sick and it hit one elder the hardest. So the other elders in the apartment and I gave him a blessing which was pretty cool .

It is beginning to feel like Christmas because the other elders in our zone were singing Christmas carols outside and handing out flyers. Things like that that make this place feel more... jolly. We also had an all American apartment one day because I went on splits with our zone leader. My first time with an American went AMAZING. 

Spiritual thought: This spiritual thought is going to come from Alma 32. Study with me

To start out, Alma is talking to a group on a hill when some other people, who are despised by the village because of their poverty, come up to him. They ask him why they are despised so much and Alma's response can be a little shocking. He says,

"I say unto you [the poor who came up to him], it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for if it's because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised by your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble." (Alma 32:12).

I think that this response is a little shocking, don't you? Like wow, way too convert these people by saying everything is all good that they're cast out. He doesn't even discredit, or even point out the obvious wrong that happened. 

There's a few reasons for this. I'll lay them below:

Can ye only worship in [churches]?

Can you only worship once a week? 

Not too mention that this religion he was talking to was not the correct church. Alma explains that these people believed in prayer on the Sabbath in the church, and that it was only one prayer said. No religious life outside of that could be seen. 

So he truly explains the importance of humility. Like, it is more important to God that you become humble (so that we'll see blessing at the list days), than it is for him to see you in security. I love the quote that says, get comfortable being uncomfortable. And full as do that. For it is how we eventually become like God. 

Humility is one of the most important christ-like attributes we can have. Ive come to realize that really, all of the christlike attributes are the most important. Alma also gives this direction about humility. He says 

"Blessed are they who humble themselves WITHOUT being compelled to be humble" (Alma 32:16)

Humble without being compelled. That's pretty fricken hard in my book, and I'm sure it's a similar story in most others too. So, to flip the saying, it's telling us that pretty much any hardship we have is to humble us. Now don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean it's a punishment. If anything, it's a privilege to have an opportunity to try to be humble. 

He says that those who ask for signs don't have the right idea. On this he says

"And now, how much more CURSED is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe; and falleth into transgression." (Alma 32:19)

So why would we want to know? For personal benefit? That doesn't sound very humble to me. Isn't it crazy that that is the goal of life? To be meek, submissive, HUMBLE, and as a little child. I find that fascinating. It is only through these principles that we may receive a complete joy, and eternal life. 

And now my personal favorite part of this chapter. In this part, Alma compares faith to a mustard seed. Which is crazy, because a mustard seed is probably one of the smallest seeds.

He says that if the seed inside you (or rather your faith and belief) grow, it must needs be that it is a good seed. Because every living thing grows and changes into something bigger. This mustard seed inside you grows, thus, your faith grows. Make sense? Good, let's continue. 

Two times he gives the question; "would this not increase your faith?" When the seed sprouteth and when the seed begineth to grow. 

The third time, he stops and says "behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed?" Quickly he responds with, yes because "every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness." (Alma 32:31)

One way he tells us if we can know our not is in verse 32 

"Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away." (Alma 32:32)

Here's the amazing part of this analogy. When the tree sprouts. People do one of two things. First, they may say

"Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit." (Alma 32:37)

Nourish the tree. That's my invitation to you today. What that looks like its reading your scriptures, specifically on the book of Mormon. Other novels or online sites can be exciting and fun sometimes. But I promise you it's nothing to even rival what the book of Mormon had to offer. 

If it brings about good things and gets people to want to be better, it must be a good source no? The book of Mormon teaches a lifestyle of happiness that everyone can pick up no matter what your circumstances. Let me say that again for effect and long-lasting. You can be happy in Any circumstance of your life. And the book of Mormon teaches how. 

Now the second way people treat the tree; neglect. This one's important, listen up. 

"But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out." (Alma 32:38)

The sun in this analogy signifies our trials and difficulties. If we don't grow the mustard seed to its proper nourishment, how can we expect it to give us support during times of need. Like

"Oh, I'm starving, I forgot that I planted this tree a couple of years ago, I'm sure it will give me fruit so that I can feed myself."

Can you see how ridiculous that sounds? It's lazy and vain hope. The natural man wants to put in no effort but gain the eternal reward.  That's just not how it works. But Wyatt if the seed isn't good, why isn't it bringing me good fruit? To this Alma says

"Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life." (;Alma 32:39-40)

Sometimes, the fruit won't come when it's wanted. We work on the lord's timing, not our own.  But i know that this church WILL BRING FORTH FRUIT at some point in your life. So please, nurture your seeds of faith wherever they are at. I know that faith is always the answer. God knows incomprehensibly more than went can even imagine. How wild is that thought. Can't he do things all according to his will and power? He can prove the book of Mormon exists and literally everything else on the universe. Butt he CHOOSES to let us exercise FAITH so that we aren't condemned through a perfect knowledge. 

This is my testimony that I leave with you. I know God is intimately involved in you your life. Both the good and the bad. He can mold you so that no matter your situation, you can choose to be happy.

NO MATTER YOUR SITUATION. I know that God's plan is perfect and that my seed in this church has brought me great fruit. What a privilege I have to help others being planning their seeds of faith for "experiment". If your faith is struggling. I invite you to "experiment" with this church. And to have faith that blessings WILL COME as sure as fruit comes from a peach tree. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen

Thanks guys for reading this far and I hope you're Christmas goes well. I hid a secret winky face like this  (;    in the email. Email me if you find it. And have a great week 

- Elder Hill