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Every parable Jesus taught in the New Testament, presented with the full verse text, interpretation, cross-references to the Book of Mormon and other LDS scriptures, and connections to Latter-day Saint doctrine. Study why Jesus taught in parables and what each one means for us today.
Jesus Christ used parables -- short stories drawn from everyday life -- as His primary teaching method. The Gospels record over 30 distinct parables covering topics from the nature of the Kingdom of God to the requirements of discipleship. When His disciples asked why He taught this way, Jesus explained that parables reveal truth to those who are ready to receive it while concealing it from those who are not (Matthew 13:10-16).
Parables work on multiple levels simultaneously. The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) is a story about farming on the surface, but it teaches about how different people receive the word of God. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) is a story about a family, but it reveals the nature of God's mercy and the danger of self-righteousness. This layered quality means that the same parable yields deeper meaning with each reading -- especially when studied alongside cross-references from other volumes of scripture.
For Latter-day Saints, the parables take on additional dimensions when read alongside the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. The Book of Mormon's teachings on the Atonement illuminate parables about mercy and judgment. The Doctrine and Covenants' revelations about the last days enrich parables about the Kingdom of God. These cross-volume connections reveal a unified doctrinal message across dispensations.
Latter-Day Daily presents all 30 parables with their complete verse text, historical context, interpretation, and cross-references to LDS scriptures. Each parable is linked to related prophetic teachings and connected to other parables that share themes. Whether you are studying for personal insight, preparing a talk, or teaching a class, the tool gives you the depth and breadth to engage with these foundational teachings.
View all 30 parables organized by Gospel location, theme, or the aspect of the Kingdom they teach about.
Each parable includes the complete verse text from the KJV, contextual background about the audience and setting, and an interpretation of the key teachings.
See cross-references to the Book of Mormon, D&C, and Pearl of Great Price. Discover how each parable's teachings resonate across all volumes of scripture.
Every parable Jesus taught in the New Testament, from the Sower to the Ten Virgins, with complete verse text and context.
Each parable linked to relevant passages in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price for multi-volume study.
Parables grouped by theme so you can study all teachings about mercy, the Kingdom of God, stewardship, or preparation together.
Historical background for each parable including the audience, setting, and why Jesus chose this particular story at this moment in His ministry.
The Gospels record over 30 distinct parables taught by Jesus Christ. The exact count depends on how parables are defined and classified -- some brief metaphors ('You are the salt of the earth') are sometimes counted separately. Latter-Day Daily includes the 30 most commonly recognized parables with full verse text and analysis.
Scholars and teachers differ on this, but Jesus Himself suggested the Parable of the Sower is foundational when He asked, 'Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?' (Mark 4:13). The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) is often considered the greatest short story ever told for its portrait of God's mercy.
Jesus explained that parables reveal truth to those whose hearts are open while remaining opaque to those who resist His teaching (Matthew 13:10-16). Parables also make abstract spiritual truths concrete and memorable by grounding them in everyday experiences that His audience understood -- farming, fishing, baking, managing a household.
The Book of Mormon contains parable-like teachings, including Zenos' Allegory of the Olive Tree (Jacob 5), which is the longest parable in all of scripture and teaches about God's relationship with Israel across dispensations. The Book of Mormon also contains teachings that directly parallel several of Jesus' New Testament parables.
Many parables directly teach principles central to Latter-day Saint theology. The Parable of the Talents connects to stewardship and accountability. The Parable of the Ten Virgins relates to preparation for the Second Coming. The Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrates principles of ministering. Latter-Day Daily shows these connections through cross-references to LDS scripture and prophetic teachings.
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