WHAT IF OUR NEIGHBORS DON'T WANT TO KNOW US?

After having been rebuffed while trying to reach out, I spoke of my discouragement during a Fast and Testimony meeting.

One of the many wise women in my congregation recounted the Parable of the Wedding Feast.1 "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. [Emphasis added]

Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

Then saith the [king] to his servants, go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as could be found, and the wedding was furnished with guests."

Her lesson was — Let us prepare a feast that will nourish both body and spirit. Let us invite people into our home. Some may not come, but there will be people to come. The Lord will prepare them.2