Conclusion

Jesus taught that he is the true vine. He is the root that connects us to the Father. Without him, we are nothing.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:1-6)

The nutrients of a vine flow from its root. We receive nourishment from God's word through Christ. Inasmuch as we seek after and accept that word, we are grafted into the true vine;¹ we abide in him; we bear the fruits of his word. However, inasmuch as we do not seek and accept his word, we become withered, devoid of nourishment. Here Jesus alludes to the time when those who have not made a sure connection with God through his word will be gathered by the angels and burned.² As Jesus states, without the word of God, we are nothing. This is because everything of worth has to come as a result of the acceptation of words transmitted from God's throne through some combination of Christ, angels, and men to the recipient. Most are aware that salvation can only come through Christ's word, but how many realize that anything that will endure past his coming must also be by his word, or it shall be "shaken and destroyed"?³

We ought to give pause to these subjects, perhaps among the most important in the gospel. Treating lightly God's word, which certainly includes misunderstanding what it is and what it isn't, was described by Nephi as trampling God under our feet.

`And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me. For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now. (D&C 84:50-53)

This condition, God said, is due to "treating lightly the things [we] have received."⁴ Thus we read the admonition of Jacob:

Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and to speak and man was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure? Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works. (Jacob 4:8-10)

Jacob reminds us that God has all power, that his word is the device of his power, and that revelation is the means appointed to receive his word. He suggests that the logical conclusion of an understanding of these facts is to seek and heed God's word. The rest of the book is dedicated to the same purpose as Jacob's. I sincerely hope it is of service to you in your journey back to God.