While reading tonight about Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life, something caught my eye. In 1 Ne. 8:12, it says that the fruit of the tree of life is the most desirable of all other fruit. 1 Ne. 15:36 says this fruit is the greatest gift of God. D&C 14:7 says the greatest gift of God is eternal life. We see then that the fruit of the tree of life is eternal life.
Likewise, in 1 Ne 11:22, we read the tree of life is actually the love of God. Therefore, eternal life is a fruit of the love of God. In fact, as Lehi states, it is the most desirable of all other fruit.
This is a roundabout way to get to the thing that piqued my curiosity.
Do you think that eternal life is the only fruit of God’s love? Are there other manifestations of his love in our lives? Or are these manifestations fruits of some other of God’s characteristics?
As a 16 year old high schooler, and avid scripture fan, it seems to me that the fruit of the tree of life, of good works (such as the good tree can only bear good fruit) is not only eternal life, but the joys of humanity. These would be love, friendship, peace, joy, happiness, opportunities, blessings, togetherness with family and friends,prosperity, the things that everyone wants.
From a teenage point of view, many kids think popularity is equal to good friends, happiness, love. Not so!
A common way to achieve this is through following the crowd, i.e. drinking, swearing, dress, “going out” with people, scandalous behaviors, gossiping. Doing these things is very easy; therefore the results are “easy” in that they have no staying power, like being “high”: it doesnt last very long.
The fruit of the tree of life is found in following Christ’s gospel of love and repentance. Charity and kindness give us love, friendship, security, peace. We are able to make solid friendships in high school by being CHristlike to people. By putting in the long-term, “from the heart” effort, we reap long-term spiritually bonding rewards.
That is all!
To be popular means you are liked by acquaintances and/or sought after for company.
I don’t think you can make a good argument that someone is not popular even if they are well liked because of their tendancy to follow the crowd.
Either people like them or they don’t—independent of the reasons why.
Don’t kid yourself, there are plenty of “popular people” who feel genuine: love, friendship, peace, joy, happiness, opportunities, etc. even over the long period, while “drinking, swearing, [immodest] dress, ‘going out’ with people, scandalous behaviors, [or] gossiping.”
I’m not saying that some of these things, such as gossiping, won’t come back to bite them, but the rules of long lasting happiness aren’t as hard and fast as you make them out to be.
About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me and forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.†I am a practicing Catholic and the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15:26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy and peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England and Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, and shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8:16–17].
Peace Be With You
Micky