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By Their Fruits

3 Nephi 14:15-20

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

I have read these verses a number of times and I am always profoundly struck by its accuracy. It is so simplistic as a rule of measure for truth and hypocrites. I often think about people both in an out of the Church that have come to me for various reasons and the first thing I think about is this (verses above)... especially when their reason involves my well being - spiritual - physical and otherwise. I have started this thread as a way for Members to express experiences of seeing the fruits of those that have come into their lives and because of it seen their true nature. As an example, there have been on many occasions I have seen someone with tearful eye and well marked scriptures giving powerful testimony, but when asked to visit someone who is in need they constantly and consistently avoid service. I began to see through their fruits that their words was more for self gratification rather than the actual way they felt.

Fruits By

I have seen many times Church leaders stand and cry and ask the sisters (in Relief Society) to please do their visiting teaching, yet the same leader does not do it and always put all kind of excuses. I have seen people tell you how concerned they are about you and that they are thinking about you constantly, yet you call them for an appointment, they promise to come and they do not show up or call to cancel (sometimes more than 3 times) and the list goes on...

I am not impressed by words, I am impressed by actions. Words are so easy to say. I can't understand how someone after hearing someone's talk can say "Oh, this Brother or Sister is so special, they know a lot about the scriptures" yet the same person who gave the talk does not want to do anything or put in practise what he/she preaches. Sometimes people are so easily influenced by talk. It's amazing.

By Their Fruits Studies Doctrine Mormon

One thing I have learned in my life is that there is a fine line between a hypocrite and teaching correct principles.

We can not judge another's heart. I see no need to attempt to. I will judge my own. It does not say "by their fruits you shall judge them," or "by their lack of works you will know them." In fairness, the intent of this scripture isn't to give us license to criticize our leaders, but a means whereby we can know that a prophet is a prophet.

The thing is, we can change as far as what we desire to do, and we can go through motions and change actions, but what the Lord requires is a changed heart, and that can only be accomplished by the Atonement of Christ. We are not perfect, including our leaders, but we can be perfectly willing. When we are willing He then can work in us and change us.

Elder Bednar explained this clearly in the October New Era on page 4 in "The Message," titled "Be Honest:"

Remember that becoming people of integrity and honesty is not simply a matter of more personal determination, more grit, and more willpower; rather, it is accomplished through the enabling power of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It's one of the hardest lessons for us to learn in life. We so desire to show the Lord we can be good and strong that we often try to make changes before we enlist His help. All who embark down this path to personal change fail. It does not mean you are weak. It does not mean you are less than others. In fact, many of the greatest men in scripture history have declared "I am less than the dust of the earth." This is because God commands the dust of the earth and it obeys. Yet, He has commanded the dust of the earth that make up our bodies and it resists because we are unwilling to give up our wills, since we are in control, or have dominion, over our bodies and the elements used to make it.

When a Church leader tells you to "visit your families" they are teaching a correct principle, whether they personally visit their families or not. We must look within and see to it we are visiting our families. If we are, then our standing for that thing with God is good. What we should ask ourselves is, "How can I improve my visits to my families?" We should avoid looking at others and trying to determine their accountability for their stewardship. And, when they ask us to do something that is in program with the Church, we should do that thing without judgment of their behavior.

Edited: Justice on 13th Sep, 2006 - 4:30pm

Fruits By

I have read over what you have said, but I am not sure how that applies to the subject at hand? Your post seems more like a discourse.

Offtopic but, Again, for the fourth time, go read your Intro Thread and if you have questions about Posts here then it can be taken up.

So, what fruit do you see?

Fruits By

Several years ago I was in a temple recommend interview with my Stake President (Elder Bednar) and he asked me this question: "Why is it that people don't do their Home Teaching?" I considered his question and struggled with some technical answer about priorities and dedication. After my feeble attempt, he leaned forward and said, "Because they're not fully converted to the Lord. When a Priesthood holder is converted to the Lord, not only will he complete all of his Priesthood assignments, but he will do so in a timely manner."

I believe this "all of his Priesthood assignments" makes my comments on topic.

You spoke of a person bearing testimony but not doing what he was asked. This is a common thing in the Church. I'd say most fit this description. Few are fully converted to the Lord. You asked me "what do I see?" I am furthering your point of why people do not produce these works, which are a fruit of being converted to the Lord, as a loving stake president taught me.

I have both been this person and seen this person in my life. In each and every case, Elder Bednar's remarks are right on the money. I see, in this lack of action (as you talked about) people who are not fully converted to the Lord.

The most common fruit of not being converted I have seen? Judging others. It is far better to be an example and do our duty, and worry about our own conversion, than to look at others and judge them by their works and whether or not they are converted. Looking at and judging others is a fruit of being on the sure road to apostasy. Looking within and judging ourselves is a sure fruit of being on the road to conversion.

Offtopic but, I have read the intro thread 3 times now. I thought my remarks were on topic so I did not think to make an off topic box for them. If you think they are off topic you are welcome to do what you will.

By Their Fruits

Judging others as a fruit... interesting. That is like a digress of the Topic. On one hand we are told "by their fruits ye shall know them" which for me is action, fruit is the result of an action. The examples set here are to show that one can say one thing and do another (fruit). Judging others is not a sin... in fact Joseph Smith corrected that famous mistranslated verse of Christ in the New Testament to read that we must do so in righteousness. Everyday we judge others and have to... if we do not we fall victim to abuse, criminals, etc. I am judged each day in my performance as husband, employess, etc. If I do not issue fruit (again actions) worthy of my title then I can be judged of my wife (it can lead to divorce) and my employer (I can be fired). My Bishop judges me on my worthiness in an interview, after all he is a Judge in Israel. The point is not judging, the point is actions... that is the purpose of this Thread.

It follows in line with 'Your actions speak so loud I cannot hear what you are saying'.

How is it that you have seen this to be most common. Is it that you around these people often?

Offtopic but, Every Topic here can be answered by saying: * Just keep the commandments * It is not important for my salvation * I just keep myself worthy and do not worry about what others do After awhile it sounds self-righteous, even if you do not mean it. And... if we were to answer every Thread like that then there would be little purpose in Discussion. Maybe you can take some time to look through the many Threads here and get a feel... especially always start at the beginning.