Roots, Branches, Leaves and Fruit

To nourish, dig about, prune, fertilize and grow,
During the various stages of our lives to know.
Can sometimes be painful work that we engage,
Yet only challenges bring about the growth stage.

Sinking my spiritual roots deep to drink unabated,
While trusting in the Lord for he has clearly stated.
He is the living waters that will quench our thirst,
When we decide to follow him away from our worst.

Trusting in the Lord to trim my branches painfully back,
To provide for growth anew along my life’s busy track.
Provides the growth that only he can sustain each day,
As we build our testimonies and follow in his way.

Then when a new branch or twig or leaf comes anew,
Watered and fed by the Lord’s morning nourishing dew.
We’ll once again feed from the fruit of life he’ll provide,
That has now taken root when we choose to decide.

Never has a deep-rooted tree with life been deposed,
No, not without a life of wind, rain and hail exposed.
Standing tall when the shafts of wind, bends our shoots,
Because shallow roots… cannot yield amazing fruits.

David S. Maughan© 2/23/2025

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Nourish the Roots and the Branches Will Grow” October General Conference address.