"By Their Fruits"

Recently as it does from time to time, my mind began to wander back to my years of teaching, and certain images and thoughts from the past began to make their way into my mind’s eye. For apparently no reason, a quote from a lecture given by William James, a noted turn of the twentieth century Harvard psychologist and philosopher, came to mind: “Thus to develope[sic] a thought’s meaning we need only determine what conduct it is fitted to produce: that conduct is for us its sole significance.” In short for him, the truth of any particular belief is determined by what each and every individual accepts as the belief’s valid resulting behavior or end. So much for Pragmatist philosophy. While initially such a thought might apparently have little or nothing to do with a gospel topic, my mind almost immediately bridged to a comment made by the Lord that “by their fruits ye shall know them.”

His complete saying as recorded by Matthew is: “Beware of false prophets, which 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 can 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” (Matthew 7:15-20). These words of the Lord need no clarification from me.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of God and is the only true and living church upon the face of the earth. Now such a claim, according to the words of the Lord, will be shown to be true or false based upon the nature of the fruits this Church produces. This past weekend, Church members from countries all over the world gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah for multiple sessions of a General Conference. I participated in all of the sessions by means of broadcasts received in our home and our stake center. My overriding intent during this conference was to determine what evidences or fruits of truth were manifest in the various talks and other activities of which the conference consisted. As I enumerate those that I detected, the names of the speakers whose remarks are pertinent will appear in parentheses.

One should reasonably assume that the Lord’s restored Church in this day would be modeled after the organization He established during His earthly ministry. Such is in fact the case as illustrated in the action of sustaining the General Authorities of the Church as well as other priesthood and auxiliary leaders. Sustained as General Authorities were apostles, prophets, and seventies.

In accordance with directions from the leadership of the Church, members of the Church should not refer to themselves as “Mormons” but rather as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whenever practicable. If there is a reason for brevity, we should refer to ourselves as “Latter-day Saints.” (President Boyd K. Packer)

The overarching mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Kingdom of God on the earth is to prepare the world for the second coming of the Savior. (Elder Neil L. Anderson)

The members of Christ’s Church in the meridian of time were called “Saints.” The members of Christ’s restored Church in this dispensation are known by the same name. (Elder Benjamin De Hoyos)

A hallmark of Christ’s Church is a major missionary effort with the intent to bring God’s spirit children to an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, we have more than 52,000 missionaries serving in various capacities in the world.

As missionary minded Saints, our approach toward those about us who are Christians should be to invite them to come join us and let us show them what we may add by way of truth to that which they already have. (Elder Walter F. Gonzalez)

The Lord said, “Come unto me.” The members of Christ’s Church understand from experience that human suffering may be “healed” if we will but come unto Him. (Elder Kent F. Richards)

Innate to the gospel is the understanding that members of the Church are prepared to sacrifice time, effort, and substance to benefit those who are in need. Thus as a people, we desire to help others whether their circumstances are of an emergency nature or not. In cases of widespread emergencies, the Church is also organized and prepared to assist by making possible the transportation and distribution of large quantities of relief supplies for the benefit of members and non-members alike. (President Henry B. Eyring)

Through the Church’s welfare program, we assist individuals to help themselves as well as provide disaster relief. Through this program, we seek to “sustain, support, and exalt people.” (H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop)

The work of the Church is greatly facilitated by the inspiration, dedication, and loving service provided by members of the women’s service auxiliary organization founded by the Prophet Joseph Smith during the early years of the Church namely, the Relief Society. (President Sylvia H. Allred)

By means of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the power of God is manifest. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-22) (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

Revelation from God is once again a reality in this dispensation. By revelation, the Savior guides His Church in its day to day activities. However, critical to the growth of the Kingdom of God on the earth is the revelation from God that is available to assist in the directing of the lives of all worthy members of the Church including men, women, and children. (Elder David A. Bednar)

The Lord’s Saints have been a covenant people always. The most important covenants into which we may enter with our Father in Heaven are made in the temples of the Lord. Here couples and families as spirit offspring of our Heavenly Father may be sealed together for time and all eternity. Families can be forever. (President Thomas S. Monson, Elder Richard G. Scott, and Richard J. Maynes)

The pioneering chapter in the history of the Church illustrates the dedication of the Saints to their covenants and to the Lord as they persevered, many until death, to establish the Kingdom of God in the Rocky Mountains. (Elder Steven E. Snow)

The semi-annual General Conferences of the Church are held to both strengthen the far flung leaders and membership of this world-wide Church as well as to further our missionary commitment by broadcasting the sessions by various means and to many locations where both members and non-members may participate. (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

As I listened to General Conference this past weekend, I was impressed with all that a participant was able to observe and hear by way of the spoken word and music. When one adds to this experience the church published and church related materials that may make their way into our homes on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, I believe it may be truthfully said that we as a membership are a fitting example of what the Lord had in mind when He told the people that in the future they would know His sheep by the fruits of their labors.