Bloom where you’re planted—even if only for a little season

A wonderful principle of the gospel is taught in these sections (51-57) of the Doctrine and Covenants that I like to call “Bloom where you are planted.”

There seems to be a lot of movement going on in these sections. Saints migrating from the eastern states are beginning to arrive in Ohio (section 51). Missionaries are being sent out to preach the gospel while traveling to Missouri (section 52, 56) and some of the Saints who just got to Ohio are now being commanded to relocate to Missouri (section 54, 57).

In 51:16-17, the Lord tells the Saints (and us) that even if we are placed somewhere “for a little season” we should still “act upon (that) land as if for years.” In other words, make a difference no matter how short or how long you are going to be somewhere. Bloom where you are planted. Not only does this principle apply to our physical location (the land which we live), but it can apply in other settings such as in our church callings or even in any stage of life. 

A good example of this principle is Sidney Gilbert (section 53). In section 52 the Lord is calling all these sets of missionaries to go out and preach the gospel as they journey to Missouri, but Sidney Gilbert doesn’t receive an assignment. So what does he do? He doesn’t go hide out and breathe a sigh of relief like he just dodged a bullet. He asked Joseph Smith to ask the Lord what his assignment should be. He wanted to contribute to the work and make a difference. 

This can be hard to do, especially when you get a new calling that you don’t feel prepared for or when you’re a college student moving around every few months or even in a seminary class where you don’t know anybody. No matter what the circumstances are, the Lord expects us to get involved and do our best to make a difference.

Why is this principle important to the Lord? If you look in section 57, you’ll find the word plant/planted used five times. Just like planting any flower or tree, you won’t see the full beauty or fruit of that plant unless you take it out of its pot and plant it in the soil where it has room to grow. The same is true for our spiritual growth. The only way we’re going to see growth in ourselves is to plant ourselves firmly in whatever situation we are in-even if it’s only for a little season. That’s when the fruit will come.