Reviewed by Russell Anderson for the Association for Mormon Letters
Brent and Wendy have produced a beautiful book filled with pictures from their garden and other beautiful gardens. They talk about their experiences with their gardens through their married life, and even might inspire others to work on developing a lovely garden. They explain the focus of the book, “This book is not as much about gardening as it is about coming to know God and his gospel” (p. xiii)
This book takes advantage of the many times in the scriptures where stewardship and husbandry are compared to gospel principles. The many areas of gardening that can lead into gospel discussions include types of soil, choosing seeds and plants, nurturing plants, removing weeds, protecting young vegetables, variety, a wise gardener, new growth, etc.
A good summary of the focus of the book is provided in the following paragraph:
“Indeed, the most important creations are not beautiful gardens and other physical productions that fade and decay. The greatest and most long-lasting creations happen daily, hourly, and even moment by moment. With every righteous choice we make, we sow seeds of eternal life. When we think uplifting thoughts, our spirits blossom and become more attractive. When we choose to exercise faith, repent, and keep a commandment, we are cultivating something that did not exist before. When we serve others, we create gardens of goodness and those blessings that bear fruit in them. If we seek to plant and nourish Christ in our hearts, His Spirit will radiate from us. Thereby, in addition to creating physical beauty, we continually create a spiritual environment. We cultivate light or darkness, loveliness or ugliness within ourselves by the thoughts we develop and influences we choose.” (p. 14)
It is a joy to read as they describe their gardening challenges and successes, but also the gospel comes alive with the many gospel applications. This book exemplifies the statement from Moses, “All things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual” (Moses 6:36) Copyright 2010