The French have a term for the particular conditions of soil, cultivation practices, and other factors unique to a specific vineyard that impart certain characteristics on the fruits produced there. This is called terroir. Because of terroir, the same variety of grape grown in one vineyard will have subtle variations in its growth patterns and flavor profiles when compared to those same kinds of grapes grown in a different region. This concept of terroir can be applied to each of us as we seek to plant the word of God in our hearts. “For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.” (2 Nephi 31:3). Seeking to truly receive the word of God according to our own understanding does not only benefit ourselves. By planting the word of God into our own terroir, we will be able to express truths in ways that only we could express them. This unique flourishing of the word of God in our own language and according to our own understanding enriches everyone’s knowledge and understanding of God and His plan for us. As we grow bold in sharing the truths with the subtle variations that only we could provide, we all collectively get closer to receiving the truth in all of its variations and manifestations.
