"Fruit" by Elder Neil L. Anderson

Relief Society Lesson Virtual Discussion 

We want to hear everyone’s thoughts and inspirations! We can learn from each other, even if we can’t be face-to-face. Please share any comments you have at the end.

(JEANINE)

Recently my husband, our son, grandson and I went to a local nursery to purchase new fruit trees.  We particularly wanted apricot (to replace a family favorite that had died…. but that’s another story), and peach (because we just can’t get enough of Utah peaches!).  Although I knew that this particular nursery was large, it still surprised me with the vast amount and assortment of trees before me, literally hundreds. Even the section designated for peach trees alone had dozens of trees, and within that multiple varieties.  Because “Siri” knows everything, my son pulled out his phone to gather information to help us make an educated decision about which variety of peach tree was best suited to our needs and wants. Honestly the wind and chill got to me, and so I took our grandson inside to see the fish, leaving my husband and son to make this decision.  Eventually we did purchase 4 peach trees but it wasn’t Siri that helped us as much as it was the knowledge and expertise of the local employee. 

The trees are in the ground now, and we are hopeful that sometime in the future we will pick and enjoy delicious big peaches from our trees.  Why do I share this experience ….I loved how Elder Andersen reminded me about fruit and trees and that: “the Savior compared good fruit to things of eternal worth”….”Ye shall know them by their fruits” and “Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit”.  In Lehi’s account of his dream, he speaks of partaking of the fruit that “was most sweet, above all” and “filled my soul with exceedingly great joy”.  I ask myself, what kind of tree would produce such exquisite fruit? …Elder Bednar shared: “The central feature in Lehi’s dream is the tree of life—a representation of “the love of God”. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life’.”  What kind of tree would produce such fruit? Jesus Christ….”Thus, the birth, life, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ are the greatest manifestations of God’s love for His children.  The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement.”

So, I look to the years ahead, hoping that someday our new peach trees will produce delicious fruit.   But today, I can trust in the “tree of life”, and with faith, look to Jesus Christ,  and know that His fruits will be delicious and perfectly suited to my needs and wants.  Is it any wonder that those who “fell down” and partook of the fruit of the tree, did not fall away. 

Do you see Jesus Christ and His atonement in your life?  What does it look like...what does it “taste” like? 

(JORDYN)

Elder Andersen spoke about the goodness of the fruit, and then he addressed the opposition. In Lehi’s dream, he saw a great and spacious building, full of people trying to draw others away from the tree. Elder Andersen said:

In our world today, the adversary’s construction crews are working overtime, hastily inflating the large and spacious building. The expansion has spread across the river, hoping to envelop our homes, while the pointers and the scoffers wail day and night on their internet megaphones.

Although we need not fear, we are to be on guard. At times, little things can upend our spiritual balance. Please don’t allow your questions, the insults of others, faithless friends, or unfortunate mistakes and disappointments to turn you away from the sweet, pure, and soul-satisfying blessings that come from the precious fruit of the tree. Keep your eyes and your hearts centered on the Savior Jesus Christ and the eternal joy that comes only through Him.

Elder Andersen shared the following story of about Jason Hall:

“[At age 15] I [was] in a diving accident. … I [broke] my neck and was paralyzed from the chest down. I lost complete control of my legs and partial control of my arms. I could no longer walk, stand, … or feed myself. I could barely breathe or speak.”

“‘Dear Father [in Heaven],’ I begged, ‘if I could only have my hands, I know I could make it. Please, Father, please. … Keep my legs, Father; I just [pray for] the use of my hands.’”

Jason never received the use of his hands. Can you hear the voices from the spacious building? “Jason Hall, God does not hear your prayers! If God is a loving God, how could He leave you like this? Why have faith in Christ?” Jason Hall heard their voices, but he did not heed them. Instead he feasted upon the fruit of the tree. His faith in Jesus Christ became immovable.

I had always thought of the people in the great and spacious building as boisterous people pointing and laughing, ridiculing, mocking, or teasing. But the questions above, when written on paper, don’t sound like mocking or teasing. They sound like real questions that many of us have had at some point or another. Questions that, if left unchecked, will lead to doubt and will eat away at our testimonies. 

In what ways do we “hear” the destructive comments from the spacious building in our everyday lives? 

Can you share an experience you’ve had where you turned to the “fruit” of Christ to answer questions?

(TINA)

The Hall family, mentioned above, trusted in God’s plan.  It gave them hope. They knew that God provided a Savior, whose atoning sacrifice “enables us to keep looking forward when we want to give up.”  

President Nelson, in his November, 2016 conference talk, Joy and Spiritual Survival, says, “My dear brothers and sisters, today I would like to discuss a principle that is key to our spiritual survival. It is a principle that will only become more important as the tragedies and travesties around us increase.” JOY

Today, we certainly have tragedies and travesties around us. Just in the last few weeks our lives and routines have changed dramatically and we are supposed to have joy?  

President Nelson promises us that, “the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation...and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy.”

The Savior’s joy is constant.  He assures us that our afflictions “will be but a small moment” and that they’ll be good for us!  These moments will help us grow. 

“If we look to the world…, we will never know joy…..joy is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.”  

When you feel like you want to give up, do you feast upon the “fruit” of the tree and become immovable?  Or do you listen to the voices in the spacious building?  

(KAREN)

In conclusion, Elder Anderson said, “If you have been without the fruit of the tree for some time, please know that the Savior’s arms are always outstretched to you. He lovingly beckons, “Repent and come unto me.” His fruit is plentiful and always in season. It cannot be purchased with money, and no one who honestly desires it is denied.

“If you desire to return to the tree and taste the fruit once again, begin by praying to your Heavenly Father. Believe in Jesus Christ and the power of His atoning sacrifice. I promise you that as you look to the Savior “in every thought,” the fruit of the tree will be yours once again, delicious to your taste, joyous to your soul, “the greatest of all the gifts of God.”

We live in a time of uncertainty and confusion and we can lose sight of the “fruit” of the tree. What are we doing to hold fast to the Iron Rod and keep Christ close in our lives?

This week in the Church News Sheri Dew quoted Elder Anderson from a talk he gave at BYU. She got comfort as she reread the following from his talk:

“As evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they are traveling. 

The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight.”

We have a prophet of God leading and  guiding us through this life. If we will listen and follow his words we will find the joy Elder Anderson spoke of.

On March 14, President Nelson shared a message of hope:

“These unique challenges will pass in due time. I remain optimistic for the future. I know the great and marvelous blessings that God has in store for those who love Him and serve Him. I see evidence of His hand in this holy work in so many ways.

President Nelson continued, “So, during these uncertain times, be comforted by this promise from the Savior. He said, ‘I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say.’ I promise you that joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear Him and obey His laws.”

He ended his message by saying, “I love you. I pray for you. And I promise that you will receive comfort and peace as you continue to hear.”

We want to hear everyone’s thoughts and inspirations! We can learn from each other, even if we can’t be face-to-face. Please share any comments you have below.