“Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.” [1]
Much like music and art, the Book of Mormon reveals a whole new world to us. We become associated with God’s law and live in harmony with correct gospel teachings. Our religious belief moves beyond mere duty to something akin to passion. It creates in us a hungering and thirsting after righteousness that must be filled.
The quest for truth is essentially an experiment upon the words of Christ. The experimenter is encouraged to "prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [2]
Comparing this religious fervor to a fruit tree, Alma promises us that “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.” [3]
Lehi envisioned the fruit of the tree of life as filling his soul “with exceedingly great joy” and that “it was desirable above all other fruit." [4]
From a similar vision, Joseph Smith, Sr. described the fruit of the tree as "delicious beyond description."
"The more we ate," he explains, "the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees and scooped it up, eating it by double handfuls." [5]
In his book, Living by the Power of Faith, Gene R. Cook asks:
“How do you correctly recognize that feeling and know that the seed (the word) is from God? Alma gives three definite evidences that tell you if the seed comes from the Lord:
“1. It begins to enlarge your soul.
“2. It begins to enlighten your understanding.
“3. It begins to be delicious to you.” [6]
This is the beginning of true faith. It is an introduction to the fruits of the Spirit. In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul enumerates the fruits of religion: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.” [7]
The Apostle Peter also wrote: “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [8]
It is evident from these inspired writings that the fruits of the spirit are to be realized and savored in our present earth life as well as in our eternal life. These spiritual gifts are offered to us today, as well as tomorrow.
The Book of Mormon will live in our hearts and in our lives when we begin to delight in the word of God. Then we will become true disciples of Christ, realizing the destiny described so articulately by President Ezra Taft Benson: "I have a vision of homes alerted, classes alive, pulpits aflame, with the spirit of the Book of Mormon message. I have a vision of the whole church getting nearer to God by abiding the precepts of the Book of Mormon." [9]
Our religious convictions will not shelter us from all sorrow and suffering, nor do they promise us a life of prosperity, but they do assure us the precious fruits of the spirit—peace, joy, love, and a purposeful life.
Bill Wylson
[1] Alma 32:28.
[2] 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
[3] Alma 32:42.
[4] 1 Nephi 8:12.
[5] Smith, Lucy Mack, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother. Deseret Book Company, 1979. Pp. 49, 50.
[6] Cook, Gene R., Living by the Power of faith. Deseret Book Company, 1985.
[7] Galatians 5:22,23.
[8] 2 Peter 1:5-8.
[9] Benson, Ezra Taft, General Conference, Oct. 1988.
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