Two Shirts

Kelly Bingham
August 8, 2004

There was a father who had two sons. The sons were getting ready to leave home and go out on their own. Before they left the father gave each of his sons gift – a new, clean shirt. He told his sons that the shirts were special and that they needed to take good care of them. The two sons excitedly took the shirts and both said they would take care of them. Then they left their father and went out into the world.

The oldest son took very good care of his shirt. He cared for it, mended it, and kept it clean. He didn’t color on it or poke holes in it. The second son didn’t take care of his shirt. He never washed it. He painted it, he poked holes in it, and he abused it until the shirt wasn’t in very good condition anymore.

After some years had gone buy, the sons returned home to their father. The father asked the boys to see the shirts he had given them. The older boy gave his father the shirt. The father looked at the shirt and saw that he had taken good care of it. He told his son, “You have taken good care of this special shirt I have given you. You have kept it clean and respected it. By doing this you have shown that you love and respect me also, and can be trusted. Since you have demonstrated your trustworthiness, your love and respect I will bless you by giving you your inheritance now.

The second son presented his shirt to his father. The father looked at the shirt with great disappointment. He saw all the coloring, the holes, and that the shirt was filthy and extremely worn out. The father was very sad. “Son, you took the special shirt I have given you and have not taken care of it. You have abused it and treated it poorly. By doing this you have shown that you don’t love and respect me. I’m sorry, but since you proved you couldn’t be trusted with this, I cannot trust you with more. I’m sorry, but I cannot bless you or give you your inheritance.”

Our bodies are a very special gift from our Father in Heaven. How we treat our bodies shows Heavenly Father whether we love him or not. We should all take care of our bodies and keep them physically and morally clean by eating good foods, by not vandalizing them with tattoos or extreme piercings, by getting enough sleep, and obeying the word of wisdom. Doing this will show Heavenly Father we love Him, that He can trust us, and He will bless us with great things.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.