The parable of the talents is not about increase, but about effort.
Maxwell, Enduring Well Ensign April 1997
Context:
- Matthew 25
Matthew 25:14-30
The servants got their talents based on their ability.
2 Nephi 28:30
- So long as we desire more we shall receive more. Once we are satisfied the Lord will give less until we feel a sense of want.
Alma 12:9-11
The only members of the church who can gain neutral ground are those who have never received a testimony. For the most part that excludes all those who have voluntarily joined the church – it is mostly those who were born in the church and never personally converted.
Thou art a hard man who reaps where you have not sown and gathered where thou hast not strawed.
- You use the efforts of others to advance yourself.
Alma 13
D&C 93:38
- It is because of the Atonement that infants were innocent at birth. Any fall we underwent in the pre-earth life has been paid for by Christ.
The purchasing power of the Atonement has always been in effect. It was Christ who made payment against that line of credit.
- We start as Spirits in premortality
- Innocent and free from sin
- same capacity or capability
- We start mortal life
- Innocent and free from sin
- With different levels of capacity
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Secondary School | College | |
| A | x | x | Remedial Math | Could fail or succeed | ||||
| B | x | x | x | x | x | x | Algebra 2 | Could get a degree or drop out |
- x means performed in Math that year
The fact that these two students are not in the same class in secondary school is not a case of unfairness and does not determine what their status will be for college
God does not ask about our ability, only about our availability. If we then prove our dependability, God will increase our capability.
Maxwell Ensign July 1975
Henry D. Moyle Conference Report October 1952