And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness, he spake unto us, saying, Behold, I have dreamed a dream, or in other words, I have seen a vision. And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they and also many of their seed will be saved. But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you. For behold, methought I saw in my dream a dark and dreary wilderness. And it came to pass that I saw a man and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. And it came to pass that he spake unto me and bade me follow him. And it came to pass that as I followed him, I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me according to the multitude of his tender mercies. And it came to pass, after I had prayed unto the Lord, I beheld a large and spacious field. And it came to pass that I beheld a tree whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof, and beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
Can we consider this fruit that Lehi is partaking of?
I had always considered that the fruit was the love of God until I more closely considered Nephi's response to the angel.
...Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? And I answered him, saying, Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. And he spake unto me, saying, Yea, and the most joyous to the soul. (1 Nephi 11, NC 1 Nephi 3 par 9)
The question the angel asked was concerning the tree Lehi saw not the fruit that Lehi partook of.
Nephi's answer dealt with the tree and not the fruit.
So what about the fruit?
If the tree Lehi saw is a representation of the love of God that sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of men then what are the "fruits" that are produced by that love?
In the scriptures fruit is used as a symbol many times to signify various things.
Zenos' allegory quoted by Jacob in the book of Jacob discusses fruit. Throughout the entire allegory we see that the Master of the vineyard is trying to preserve "the natural fruit" of an ancient olive tree through His many actions to prune and to dig and to nourish and to graft.
Is what the Lord told His disciples during the last supper in any way related to Zenos' allegory of the olive tree?
I am the true vine or head of the Father’s family, and my Father is the husbandman over that family. Every branch connected to me that does not produce fruit, he will remove, and every branch that produces fruit he will prune back so that it produces better fruit. You will bear fruit if you follow the things I have taught you. Stay connected to me as part of the Heavenly family, and I will nourish you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit if it is not connected to the vine, neither will you be able to bear fruit unless you remain connected with me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He that stays connected to me, and I to him, will be abundantly fruitful; but without the connection to me you will perish. If a man loses his connection with me, he is merely a withered branch; and men take the withered branches, cut them away and burn them. If you stay connected to me, and my words live in you, you will ask according to my will, and you will be given the ability to accomplish my will. It will please and vindicate my Father if you produce abundant fruit, and that will prove you follow me. Just like the Father has loved me, I have in turn likewise loved you. Therefore, remain connected with me and my love will be with you. If you practice my teachings you will always remain connected with me; just as I have kept my Father’s teachings and have remained connected with him.
(Teachings and Commandments section 171, The Testimony of St. John 10 par. 17)
One thing we are taught by the Lord during His visit to the Nephites concerning fruit is that fruits are a good measure of something that is good versus something that is bad.
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. (3 Nephi 14:15 - 20, NC 3 Nephi 6 par 10)
What kind of fruit would those who are connected to Christ, part of the family of God, bear?
Whether we know it or not or like it or not aren't we all constantly bearing fruit of one sort or another?
Is there an even more current prophetic understanding of fruit?
Fruit
A genealogical term, in many instances; family. Adam and Eve were commanded to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 2:9). Christ’s gospel involves perpetuating a “family of Gods.” Marriage mirrors the infinite. The “fruit” to be saved refers to an eternal family, with God at the head.1 “In John 9:10 Christ compared Himself to a true vine to which we all must connect if we are going to bear fruit. Christ inspired prophecies about a coming servant. We should all be His servants. For any of His servants to produce fruit they must connect to Him, the true vine. Life comes from that connection. We are preserved by Christ, nourished through His word, and we pray in our sacrament prayers to always have His spirit to be with us. The vine and fruit refer to the family of God. The context is about becoming a son of God. He intends to make many sons of God, to bring many sons unto glory.”2 Throughout Zenos’ allegory of the olive tree, fruit means “salvation,” in a covenantal sense. It requires the promises made to the fathers (see Abraham 1:1) to be the same covenant given to you.3
“The Savior provided a test whereby one can easily distinguish between true and false prophets. You shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 3:46). The question was, ‘Well, if there is a test to apply, in order to determine whether or not he [Joseph Smith] was a prophet, the presence of the test suggests the possibility of a prophet.’ I thought that an interesting point. Why would you have a test if there is not going to be another prophet? So, you shall know them by their fruits suggests the possibility that there will, in fact, be someone you better apply that test to, someone for whom the test will become both relevant and important. So I couldn’t categorically dismiss Joseph Smith as a prophet for the reason there absolutely could never be more. Therefore, I needed to ask the next question: What are Joseph’s fruits?”4In Matthew 6:14, Christ explained how to measure “fruit.” Either make the tree good and his fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt, for the tree is known by the fruit. And Jesus said, O you generation of vipers. How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart, brings forth good things; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure, brings forth evil things. And again I say unto you that every idle word men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment; for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned. Christ determined that the test for “fruit” is the words one speaks. But how should “words” be measured? Anger, conflict, violence, war, and division amongst families were just some of the results of the words Christ spoke. If Christ’s words were measured by how people were affected by them, then Christ produced bad fruit. Therefore, the reaction people have to words cannot be an accurate measure of “fruit.” It must be the substance, the truth, or the independent value of the words — separate from how people respond to a man’s words. Prophets and righteous individuals have been arousing anger, provoking violent reactions, and being called anything from foolish to vile because of their words, and that does nothing to diminish the goodness of their fruit. (Teachings and Commandments, Glossary of Terms: Fruit)
If our words determine what our fruit is would it be important to always look inward to make sure that we speak words of truth?
If the reactions of others to words spoken cannot be a reliable measure of good or bad fruit does that make the test of the truth of any words spoken a very solitary, individual labor that we must perform without relying on others' responses?
Has this and will this always be the test; so that everyone is required to stand on their own so that they may be individually accountable for their decisions as to what is truth and what is error?
Is it possible for truth to be mistaken for error because we use tradition and happy feelings as a measure to determine if something is good fruit or not?
All of these things, although true and it would seem at least somewhat related to Lehi's vision, do not seem to fit the exact context of what Lehi is experiencing with the fruit.
Alma talked about fruit in the course of speaking about exercising faith by planting the word he, Alma, was teaching in our hearts.
And now behold, after ye have tasted this light, is your knowledge perfect? Behold, I say unto you, nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed, that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good. And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say, Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care, it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. But if ye neglect the tree and take no thought for its nourishment, behold, it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root, it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. Now this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable, but it is because your ground is barren and ye will not nourish the tree; therefore, ye cannot have the fruit thereof. And thus it is: if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith, with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold, it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. And because of your diligence, and your faith, and your patience with the word, in nourishing it that it may take root in you, behold, by and by, ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure. And ye shall feast upon this fruit, even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.
Alma's words seem to fit more closely to the context of the fruit that Lehi is experiencing here.
He uses the same descriptions as Lehi; white above all that is white and sweet above all that is sweet.
Alma describes this "fruit" as the result of nourishing, with patience and diligence, the "word" in ourselves until the "word" takes root and grows up unto a tree springing up unto everlasting life.
Later, when asked what the "word" is that Alma was inviting all to plant in their hearts, Alma stated
...cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins, and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him to be judged at the last and judgment day according to their works. And now, my brethren, I desire that ye should plant this word in your hearts. And as it beginneth to swell, even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do, if ye will. Amen. (Alma 33:22 - 23, NC Alma 16 par. 32)
Does this fit with Nephi's description of the meaning of the tree that Lehi saw?
Would beginning to believe in the Son of God shed forth the love of God in someone's heart?
Can the love of God that is shed forth abroad in the hearts of the children of men grow up inside each one of us until it is mature and produces fruit?
Can the matured love of God existing in our hearts allow us to have everlasting life?
What is everlasting life?
Everlasting life seems to be distinguished differently in the scriptures from eternal life. Why?
Alma states that once we begin to feast upon the resultant "fruit" springing from this tree (love of God?) inside us growing up unto everlasting life we will be filled so that we will never more thirst nor hunger.
Are there other places in the scriptures that mention never hungering and never thirsting?
The Lord told the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well that He could give her living water that would continually quench thirst.
The Lord also taught the following to the Jews
Then Jesus said to them, In the name of Father Ahman I tell you the truth, Moses was not the one who gave bread, it was my Father who did that. But now my Father is offering true life-giving bread from Heaven, which is light and truth. For the Bread of God is sent from the Heavenly Council to give light and truth to the world. They responded, Master, feed us with this bread forever. Jesus said bluntly to them, I am the bread that gives life; he that follows the path with me will never hunger for light; and any who believe on me shall never thirst for truth. Unfortunately, as I have already told you, even though you have seen me, you do not believe me. But my Father has provided some who will heed my words, and those who follow me I will safely keep. I am descended from above as a Messenger sent to follow Father Ahman’s plan. Father’s plan is that by completing my ascent I will have the power to rescue creation, losing nothing. Moreover, those who are here on this journey with me will be added upon for evermore if they have faith in me. They will rise up to likewise generate endless lives, worlds without end. (Teachings and Commandments section 171, The Testimony of St. John 15 pars. 15 - 16)
The Lord declared that the path He follows, if they would follow it as well they would never thirst for truth and never hunger for light.
Is the fruit the path that the Lord follows or is the fruit what one receives as they follow the path of the Lord?
There is an account in 3 Nephi where the Lord is administering the sacrament to those at the temple in the land of Bountiful. In this account the record shows us something about being filled.
And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts. And he commanded them that they should arise and stand up upon their feet, and they arose up and stood upon their feet. And it came to pass that he broke bread again, and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat. And when they had eaten, he commanded them that they should break bread and give unto the multitude. And when they had given unto the multitude, he also gave them wine to drink, and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude. Now there had been no bread, neither wine, brought by the disciples, neither by the multitude; but he truly gave unto them bread to eat, and also wine to drink. And he said unto them, He that eateth this bread, eateth of my body to their soul, and he that drinketh of this wine, drinketh of my blood to their soul; and their soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled. Now when the multitude had all eat and drank, behold, they were filled with the spirit, and they did cry out with one voice and gave glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard. (3 Nephi 20:1 - 9, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 6)
This account speaks of the multitude being filled with the spirit.
If someone is filled with the spirit can they continue to receive light and truth until they have a fullness of light and truth?
Is this related to being connected to the true vine who is Christ?
Is it by the power of the spirit that we can be connected to Him and receive truth and light and be able to be "fruitful"?
If someone hungers for truth or thirsts for light is it through the medium of the spirit that they receive so that they hunger and thirst no more because that light and truth is given to them even as they ask?
Is it a sweet experience to receive truth and light?
Would someone receive the spirit by following the path the Lord followed?
We talked more extensively about receiving from the spirit or the Holy Spirit (are they the same thing?) in the previous blog post "Making Things Known Which the Lord Manifested."
Is Lehi's experience with the fruit meant to convey the purity (whiteness) and sweetness to the soul of the truth and light (fruit) that is imparted by the spirit to any individual who nourishes the love of God in their hearts so that it develops and grows up in their soul?
Is this the meaning of the love of God; to believe in the Son of God that He has come to redeem His people, that He suffered and died and rose again the third day; bringing about the resurrection of all men to stand before Him at the last judgement day?
Is this what is meant by the tree and the fruit that Lehi saw?
And now behold, after ye have tasted this light, is your knowledge perfect? Behold, I say unto you, nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed, that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good. And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say, Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care, it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. But if ye neglect the tree and take no thought for its nourishment, behold, it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root, it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. Now this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable, but it is because your ground is barren and ye will not nourish the tree; therefore, ye cannot have the fruit thereof. And thus it is: if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith, with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold, it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. And because of your diligence, and your faith, and your patience with the word, in nourishing it that it may take root in you, behold, by and by, ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure. And ye shall feast upon this fruit, even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.
Alma's words seem to fit more closely to the context of the fruit that Lehi is experiencing here.
He uses the same descriptions as Lehi; white above all that is white and sweet above all that is sweet.
Alma describes this "fruit" as the result of nourishing, with patience and diligence, the "word" in ourselves until the "word" takes root and grows up unto a tree springing up unto everlasting life.
Later, when asked what the "word" is that Alma was inviting all to plant in their hearts, Alma stated
...cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins, and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him to be judged at the last and judgment day according to their works. And now, my brethren, I desire that ye should plant this word in your hearts. And as it beginneth to swell, even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do, if ye will. Amen. (Alma 33:22 - 23, NC Alma 16 par. 32)
Does this fit with Nephi's description of the meaning of the tree that Lehi saw?
Would beginning to believe in the Son of God shed forth the love of God in someone's heart?
Can the love of God that is shed forth abroad in the hearts of the children of men grow up inside each one of us until it is mature and produces fruit?
Can the matured love of God existing in our hearts allow us to have everlasting life?
What is everlasting life?
Everlasting life seems to be distinguished differently in the scriptures from eternal life. Why?
Alma states that once we begin to feast upon the resultant "fruit" springing from this tree (love of God?) inside us growing up unto everlasting life we will be filled so that we will never more thirst nor hunger.
Are there other places in the scriptures that mention never hungering and never thirsting?
The Lord told the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well that He could give her living water that would continually quench thirst.
The Lord also taught the following to the Jews
Then Jesus said to them, In the name of Father Ahman I tell you the truth, Moses was not the one who gave bread, it was my Father who did that. But now my Father is offering true life-giving bread from Heaven, which is light and truth. For the Bread of God is sent from the Heavenly Council to give light and truth to the world. They responded, Master, feed us with this bread forever. Jesus said bluntly to them, I am the bread that gives life; he that follows the path with me will never hunger for light; and any who believe on me shall never thirst for truth. Unfortunately, as I have already told you, even though you have seen me, you do not believe me. But my Father has provided some who will heed my words, and those who follow me I will safely keep. I am descended from above as a Messenger sent to follow Father Ahman’s plan. Father’s plan is that by completing my ascent I will have the power to rescue creation, losing nothing. Moreover, those who are here on this journey with me will be added upon for evermore if they have faith in me. They will rise up to likewise generate endless lives, worlds without end. (Teachings and Commandments section 171, The Testimony of St. John 15 pars. 15 - 16)
The Lord declared that the path He follows, if they would follow it as well they would never thirst for truth and never hunger for light.
Is the fruit the path that the Lord follows or is the fruit what one receives as they follow the path of the Lord?
There is an account in 3 Nephi where the Lord is administering the sacrament to those at the temple in the land of Bountiful. In this account the record shows us something about being filled.
And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts. And he commanded them that they should arise and stand up upon their feet, and they arose up and stood upon their feet. And it came to pass that he broke bread again, and blessed it, and gave to the disciples to eat. And when they had eaten, he commanded them that they should break bread and give unto the multitude. And when they had given unto the multitude, he also gave them wine to drink, and commanded them that they should give unto the multitude. Now there had been no bread, neither wine, brought by the disciples, neither by the multitude; but he truly gave unto them bread to eat, and also wine to drink. And he said unto them, He that eateth this bread, eateth of my body to their soul, and he that drinketh of this wine, drinketh of my blood to their soul; and their soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled. Now when the multitude had all eat and drank, behold, they were filled with the spirit, and they did cry out with one voice and gave glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard. (3 Nephi 20:1 - 9, NC 3 Nephi 9 par. 6)
This account speaks of the multitude being filled with the spirit.
If someone is filled with the spirit can they continue to receive light and truth until they have a fullness of light and truth?
Is this related to being connected to the true vine who is Christ?
Is it by the power of the spirit that we can be connected to Him and receive truth and light and be able to be "fruitful"?
If someone hungers for truth or thirsts for light is it through the medium of the spirit that they receive so that they hunger and thirst no more because that light and truth is given to them even as they ask?
Is it a sweet experience to receive truth and light?
Would someone receive the spirit by following the path the Lord followed?
We talked more extensively about receiving from the spirit or the Holy Spirit (are they the same thing?) in the previous blog post "Making Things Known Which the Lord Manifested."
Is Lehi's experience with the fruit meant to convey the purity (whiteness) and sweetness to the soul of the truth and light (fruit) that is imparted by the spirit to any individual who nourishes the love of God in their hearts so that it develops and grows up in their soul?
Is this the meaning of the love of God; to believe in the Son of God that He has come to redeem His people, that He suffered and died and rose again the third day; bringing about the resurrection of all men to stand before Him at the last judgement day?
Is this what is meant by the tree and the fruit that Lehi saw?
No comments:
Post a Comment