When I was little and in elementary school, we had to line up for gym class, from the shortest to the tallest. I didn’t like it at all because at the front of the line was a tiny little girl named Diana, and the next in line was me!
So, one day when I came home from school, I said to my mom, “Mom, I want to be taller. What can I do to grow?”
She told me, “Drink your milk, eat your crusts, and eat your brussels sprouts.” Well, I followed her advice and, as you can see, it worked!
While I am tall, I have never stopped 'wanting to grow'—now I don’t mean physically; rather, spiritually. And growing spiritually really is about the same things: milk, bread, and brussels sprouts.
Note that my mom’s advice was given long before we ever heard about lactose and gluten intolerance, so, bear with me as I make this analogy.
1. Milk:
First is Milk; I really enjoy drinking milk. For me, it feels wholesome and satisfying. It’s like those spiritual moments when your soul truly feels nourished—moments like hearing a wonderful talk, spending time in the temple, or having a good conversation with a friend. The best friend you can have a good conversation with is our Heavenly Father.
President Russell M. Nelson said, “No one will ever know you or care about you more than [God] does. No one will ever be closer to you than He is. You can pour out your heart to Him and trust Him...” [1]
Doesn’t that sound so personal and intimate? Our prayers can be “living discussions with our Heavenly Father.” [2]
We can spend quality time with Him. We might think: But I’m so busy! There is so much to do in so little time. I love what Bishop L. Todd Budge mentioned during his general conference talk last October. He said, approach daily prayer with “more awareness of and focus on God during the times we already set aside for Him.” [3]
We are going to say our personal prayer anyway, so why not give Him our undivided attention?
In Alma 37:37 we read, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” [4]
Did you notice it says: all thy doings?
Nothing is too insignificant for Him; you can tell Him anything. He is there for you and, as we just read, He will direct you; that is a promise!
2. Bread Crusts
Then we have the Bread Crusts. We typically eat bread every day, including the crusts. Each day, we nourish ourselves with food to grow and become stronger.
President Nelson said, “Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival, especially in these days of increasing upheaval. As we feast on the words of Christ daily, the words of Christ will tell us how to respond to difficulties we never thought we would face.” [5]
He also counseled that we not just read the scriptures but savor them. [6] Because English is not my native language, I looked up the meaning of the word ‘savor.’ It is to enjoy or appreciate something, especially food or a moment, slowly, in order to enjoy it as much as possible. [7]
Isn’t that beautiful? Can you imagine what your scripture study would be like when you savor that time—or slowly appreciate the scriptures? You don’t rush through the text; instead, you pause to consider what you’ve read and ask yourself how these teachings can guide you in your daily life.
I am reminded of Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are [your] words to my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” [8]
In Jewish tradition, there is a beautiful custom when a young child first begins to learn to read Hebrew letters and study the Torah. A parent or teacher will place a small amount of honey on the child’s lips. This tradition reminds us that studying our scriptures should not feel burdensome or unpleasant, but that the scriptures are sweet, like honey, and should be enjoyed and loved.
I love my daily scripture time and the impact it has on my life!
As we learn, reflect, and apply what we learn from the scriptures, we not only grow in knowledge but also draw closer to our Savior. We build a relationship with Him, grow to love Him, and become more like Him.
Isn't it wonderful to see that it is precisely those small steps, once they become a permanent part of our lives, that lead to continuous growth? It is always in the small and simple things, like connecting with God through prayer and scripture study.
Jesus says in Doctrine and Covenants 88:63, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.” [9]
3. Brussels sprouts
And then we have the Brussels sprouts… While we know they are good for us and will make us stronger, we don’t like them. At least I don't. Fortunately, we don’t have to eat them every day.
Life is just hard sometimes. We may feel like Moses and the Israelites when they came to the Red Sea. They probably were terrified. They felt trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Sea. There was no easy escape. God did not remove the Red Sea, but He made sure they could go through it. And that’s exactly what He does for us: He might not remove our problems, but He has promised to help us through whatever challenges we are facing.
In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord promised us: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [10]
Sometimes God’s hand might be revealed in a miraculous way, like it was for Moses and the Israelites; other times it may be seen in a more quiet, seemingly insignificant way. Yet we can always trust that He will help us to get through the difficult times in our lives.
I’m so glad I followed my mom’s advice to drink my milk, eat my bread crusts, and eat my Brussels sprouts. And I’m glad I have followed that spiritual pattern, too.
I cherish the special spiritual moments in my life. I savor the time I spend in daily scripture study. And I've learned that growth often comes through challenges, which are also necessary. Sometimes, we would like to hide the Brussels sprouts under our napkin, but our Heavenly Father knows the best way for us to grow, and we can trust that He always has our best interests at heart and is there to sustain and to help us.
Let us never forget that “the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him.” [11]
Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes:
[1] Russell M. Nelson, “Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library
[2] Russell M. Nelson, “Think Celestial!,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2023, 118
[3] L. Todd Budge, “Seek Him with All Your Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, October 2024, 88, emphasis added
[4] Alma 37:37
[5] Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, April 2020, 89, emphasis added
[6] Russell M. Nelson, “The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2023, 127, emphasis added
[7] Cambridge Dictionary and Collins English Dictionary, s.v. “savor,” accessed March 11, 2025
[8] Psalms 119:103
[9] Doctrine and Covenants 88:63
[10] Isaiah 41:10
[11] 1 Nephi 7:12