By their fruit..

The Savior warned his people to beware of false prophets and teachers - "by their fruits ye shall know them." True followers of Christ have always been known by their works or actions. We have been told we cannot be saved by our works alone, but if someone truely has accepted the Savior as their redeemer wouldn't their actions and works emulate His? The Savior instructed us to bring forth fruit meet of repentance. He talks about his vineyard, the harvest and the first fruits of the spirit. Paul to the Philippians stated; "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ." Indeed we should be able to tell where a person's heart is or whom is their master and friend by their fruits or actions. True followers of Christ are trying to be like him, their desires are to have his spirit to always be with them and to have the love and charity that He possesses. The Savior never put his own desires or wants above his Fathers, he was about his fathers business - the immortality and eternal welfare of Gods children. These type of traits are common among inividuals that have put Him first in their lives. His greatest trait is the love he has for each of us, love or charity. These are more than just suggestions! Glaciations 6:2 it reads; "Bear ye one anothers burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Its a commandment, and also a part of a covenant or promise with God. Alma at the Waters of Mormon told those seekers of righteousness; "Behold here are the waters of Mormon and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and be called his people, and are willing to bear one another burdens, that they may be light. Yea and are willing too mourn with those that mourn, yea and comfort those that stand in need comfort. and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, an in all places that ye may be in even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God and numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life. Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your heart, what have ye against being baptized in the name of the Lord as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his spirit more abundantly unto you?" These are the covenants and promises that each of us make and the rewards that Lord has promised if we fulfill our part of the agreement.

But if not -

There's a lot of things that I don't understand. The more I learn the more I realize I don't know as much as I thought I did. I just hope that I will always be included in the category of a teachable followers of Christ. Nephi taught that "to be learned is good, if they hearken unto the counsels of God." When we get into trouble is when we start to think we know more than God. For the most part I don't think people do this knowingly or profess out load that he doesn't know what he is talking about. Instead we just question what is going on in our lives and plead for things to turn out a certain way and in our time table. Occasionally we receive answers to our prayer and think that he just didn't understand all of the circumstances. We think that if we just ask again in a different way maybe that he will see what we're talking about. Truly if the Lord wants to punish his children he will just give us everything we ask for. Martins Harris request to share part of the translation of the Book of Mormon was rejected, but the request was presented again - leading to the lose of 116 pages of the Book of Lehi and the ability to translate for a time. A loving parent quickly learns that you can't give your children everything that they want - they need to learn how to work, make chooses and do with out. When we understand that God knows the beginning from the end, receiving the answer of "no" from someone with all of the answers should give us peace and the assurance that what is happening is most likely in our best interest. Our best interest may be that we need to struggle and learn on our own for a time - some answers seem like God isn't listening and that he doesn't care. There is a famous country western song entitled "Thank God for unanswered prayers." In this song a young man prayed for something to happen a curtain way in his life. Years latter after his life had gone a different direction he thanked God that the prayer was never answered and that his life turned out the way it had. Was such a prayer really unanswered? The Lord can guide and direct each of our lives helping us to take the right paths and to give us the inspiration needed to make the proper decisions. Much of this direction and assistance may feel coincidental or of our own making. Speaking of those that are sent forth to call the world to repentance the Savior said; " And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts. and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." This is the Savior promise to all of his followers, as we enter the waters of baptism we receive the promise that we will always have his spirit to be with us. Remember that promise is conditional upon our faithfulness to our part of the covenant, that we will keep his commandments. Us sustain the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve as prophets seers and revelators, but for some of us that only lasts as long as they don't tell us something we disagree with. In April conference of 2011 there were three separate talks that discussed the need for single men to give greater emphasis to the prospect of marriage. That next Monday a fifty-ish year old bachelor came into my office at work and was talking about how they don't understand. Whether they are telling us something we like or not does not change it's importance or truthfulness. We need to have complete faith in the Lords counsel as well as the willingness to follow his commands no matter what the consequences. During Israels captivity in Babylon there were still a number of Israelites that were in important positions. Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the stone cut out of the mountains without hands. After that event he was given great power in the government. He requested that three other be given responsibility over the affairs of the province of Babylon, their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. King Nebuchadnezzar worshiped many gods of his own making. He crafted a large golden god, and commanded all of the kingdom that when they heard the signal they were to bow down to worship this image or be thrown in the fiery furnace. These righteous men refused to worship any other God than the God of Israel. They were brought before the King and he said unto them - "do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? .. if you worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" Their obedience would lead to what should have been their death, they knew the command of their God to have no other Gods before him. Their answer is one of faith and of great wisdom to us all. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." The king in his fury commanded that they be thrown into the furnace. So hot was it's flame that those that executed the order lost their lives. To the kings astonishment not only where they alright but there was also a fourth man walking in the midst of the fire, and as it says "the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." After they came out of the flames the king proclaimed a new order - that no one should speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men knew that God was able to save them, "BUT IF NOT" they would still be obedient to his command. All of us are put through trials, challenges, infirmities and pain. We plead for guidance, relief and assistance - but if that burden isn't lifted, if that answer seemingly doesn't come in what we think is a timely manner; "If thou shouldn't be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if the fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heaven gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open wide after thee" - then what? Would you still be faithful no matter what you are asked to endure? Would you believe the rest of that verse given to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Liberty Jail? "Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for they good." then he said; "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" If we have trials, Lord please lighten them - But if not, will we continue to be faithful no matter what the circumstances?

Outward -

During times of difficulties and hardships its hard for most of us to think of anything except obtaining relief or reducing the pain involved. During what was the greatest event in history - the Atoning Sacrifice of the Savior Jesus Christ, his thoughts were not centered upon Himself but were turned outward to those that would benefit from this glorious and selfless act.

In Abinadi's final declaration to King Noah and his wicked priest he testified of the Saviors sacrifice ... Behold I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. (Mos 15:10) These were also the words of Isaiah as he testified of the Savior mission. (Isaiah 53:10) Much of Abinadi's discourse was quoting the words of Isaiah.

What took place during the Atonement is beyond the natural mans ability to understand. What true understanding any of us may achieve can only be spiritually based, founded on revelation given to us through the power of the Holy Ghost as he bears witness of the Savior Jesus Christ. But even then our understanding of the full love and compassion that accompanied his mission is seemingly beyond any of our abilities - the greatest act of compassion and charity ever given. Mormon told us that charity is the pure love of Christ, and that whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him (Mor 7:47). Indeed the Saviors love for each of us and for his Father was the basis of His willingness to accept His mission as Savior and Redeemer of mankind. He knew that such an act was necessary to allow us to return to the presence of God and obtain our full potential.

To His disciples the Savior said - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you (John 15:13). The Saviors love is universal for all of Gods children, part of His Atonement is a free gift to all. But what distinguishes someone from being included in the category of friends or seed is clean. In Abinadi's discourse he continued: "And who shall be his seed? Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all of the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord -- I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Savior would redeem his people, looking forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God. For these are they whose sins he has borne; these are they for whom he has died, to redeem them from their transgressions. And now, are they not his seed (Mos 15: 10-12)."

To become part of this group is more than just a declaration that he is the Savior, it would include those that have hearkened to His and the prophets words and have done what they were commanded to do. It would include those that have made and received covenants and have faithfully fulfilled their part of the agreement. These are they that he saw as he made his soul and offering for sin. That accept and make the atonement effective in their lives. Seeing these individuals would have been a strength and support in his time of need.

To better understand why He would be willing to go through such a saving ordinance for someone else, we need only look to any loving parent that sacrifices for the welfare and benefit of their children. During the crossing of the Martin and Willie handcart companies through Wyoming - multiple fathers and adults perished from weakness and fatigue because they sacrificed the majority of their portions to assist their starving children. All of us know of individuals that have and would give their own life for the preservation of those they love. Those in the armed forces place their lives in jeopardy continually to protect and preserve the liberties we enjoy. Indeed no greater love hath any man than to lay down his life for his friends.

Whom should be includes as our friends? This question is similar to the question asked the Savior, "and who is my neighbour?" (Luke10: 29) In answer to that question he gave us the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10). He also declared: "Verily I say unto you, Insomuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matt 25:40).
The Savior has invited all to come unto him and partake of the goodness of the gospel. We too should befriend all that we come in contact with, sharing the good news of the gospel and the saving redemption of the atonement.

After we acknowledge how many blessings we have received and relies our indebtedness to our Father in Heaven we need to follow the Savior example. No matter how hard our circumstances may seem, we should look outward seeking those that are in need of our assistance and love. As we serve, straighten and lighten their loads - our difficulties and circumstances are put into proper perspective. We understand that we're not the only ones that are have difficulties and pain. Those situations and difficulties may continue, but as we serve we become more in tune with the spirit, our loads seem lighter our attitudes and demeanor changes. These actions emulate those of the Saviors during his ministry and atonement.

This expression of love and selflessness should be our goal. To obtain this charity is a life long process that is accomplished by small acts of kindness helping us become like the Savior. The apostle Paul explained what charity is: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never failth:.. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

When we entered into the waters of baptism we covenanted to comfort those that stand in need comfort and to mourn with those that mourn. Indeed one of the steps of perfection and accepting our infirmities is to look outward and serve those in need.