Parable

I came across this parable in my reading today, and I absolutely loved it.  It is so wonderful, with deep meaning.  It is from a talk by Elder Boyd K. Packer in October 1993.  If you'd like to read the whole talk, click here.

"Once a man received as his inheritance two keys. The first key, he was told, would open a vault which he must protect at all cost. The second key was to a safe within the vault which contained a priceless treasure. He was to open this safe and freely use the precious things which were stored therein. He was warned that many would seek to rob him of his inheritance. He was promised that if he used the treasure worthily, it would be replenished and never be diminished, not in all eternity. He would be tested. If he used it to benefit others, his own blessings and joy would increase.

The man went alone to the vault. His first key opened the door. He tried to unlock the treasure with the other key, but he could not, for there were two locks on the safe. His key alone would not open it. No matter how he tried, he could not open it. He was puzzled. He had been given the keys. He knew the treasure was rightfully his. He had obeyed instructions, but he could not open the safe.

In due time, there came a woman into the vault. She, too, held a key. It was noticeably different from the key he held. Her key fit the other lock. It humbled him to learn that he could not obtain his rightful inheritance without her.

They made a covenant that together they would open the treasure and, as instructed, he would watch over the vault and protect it; she would watch over the treasure. She was not concerned that, as guardian of the vault, he held two keys, for his full purpose was to see that she was safe as she watched over that which was most precious to them both. Together they opened the safe and partook of their inheritance. They rejoiced for, as promised, it replenished itself.

With great joy they found that they could pass the treasure on to their children; each could receive a full measure, undiminished to the last generation.

Perhaps some few of their posterity would not find a companion who possessed the complementary key, or one worthy and willing to keep the covenants relating to the treasure. Nevertheless, if they kept the commandments, they would not be denied even the smallest blessing.

Because some tempted them to misuse their treasure, they were careful to teach their children about keys and covenants.

There came, in due time, among their posterity some few who were deceived or jealous or selfish because one was given two keys and another only one. “Why,” the selfish ones reasoned, “cannot the treasure be mine alone to use as I desire?”

Some tried to reshape the key they had been given to resemble the other key. Perhaps, they thought, it would then fit both locks. And so it was that the safe was closed to them. Their reshaped keys were useless, and their inheritance was lost.

Those who received the treasure with gratitude and obeyed the laws concerning it knew joy without bounds through time and all eternity."

Woman

I have been thinking a lot lately about the roles of women and men.  I came across this quote in my religion class I am taking.  I absolutely loved the imagery it created.  One of the things I have been pondering on is how unique the roles of men and women are.  The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave a proclamation to the world on The Family on September 23, 1995.  They testify, "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."  Men and women complement one another.  A man needs a woman to complete himself and to one day be perfected.  A woman also needs a man to complete and perfect herself.  We have been given divine characteristics to help us in this life.  We have certain responsibilities we must fill.  Yet, we help one another.  I don't know what I would do without my husband's help.  I recently read an article about another mother's epiphany.  She is a stay-at-home mother, much like myself.  As such, she often would feel as if she wasn't doing all she should and would sometimes feel as if she wasn't doing enough for the family.  Should she get a job and work out of the home?  Should she do something else to contribute to the family income?  These thoughts often come, but what she realized is how precious a gift of her being at home was to her husband.  She loves being at home with her children and running the household.  She realized that her husband loves it as well.  He is the provider for the family.  She takes care of the home and children.  He does not have to worry about who will take care of the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, the carpooling, the school emergencies, or any number of other things that would have to be split between the two parents if both were working full time.  We need to embrace our gifts.  God knows what He is doing.  Family is the center of it all and when we gladly embrace the roles divinely given to men and women, we are doing His will.  

Potential