Loftiness and Producing Fruit

Over the weekend of April 7-9, there was a storm that came into the Salt Lake Valley. It first started with wind. The wind then picked up and became stronger. The strong wind pushed in a late season snow storm. On Sunday, April 9, six inches of new heavy wet snow welcomed us in the morning. Snow storms happen in Utah. This is a normal. What made this storm different, was the warm spring weather that arrived weeks before resulting in the trees being unprepared for the storm.

The month pervious, the weather warmed up. The trees and flowers responded. Trees were in full bloom, beautiful and brilliant. The storm that rolled in placed a heavy layer of snow on the blooming trees. This created broken branches and down trees all over the Salt Lake Valley. Driving down the street, large branches could be seen broken off countless trees. Small thin trees where toppled. It appeared that every yard was affected. I currently have two houses; my current house and the house we are moving into. At my current house, I had a thin small tree snap at the base. This tree was planted two years ago, but never developed a deep root system. At my new house, there was a large branch that broke off. This branch was in full bloom, but could not support the weight of the snow.

In the allegory of the olive tree the “loftiness of thy vineyard” is the cause of the tree (aka Israel) not producing good fruit.

“And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?” – Jacob 5:48

When a tree becomes lofty, the branches take strength unto themselves. They outgrow the roots. In the allegory of the olive tree (Jacob 5), the roots represent the covenants of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lofty branches represent the pride, vanity, and unbelief of the faithful.

The fruit of the tree represents eternal life. It is to become a son or a daughter of God. The process of becoming a son or a daughter begins with meekness, humility, and faith. Pride, vanity, and unbelief is the antitheses of becoming fruit meet for His kingdom.

Pride verse Meekness

“The meek shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5

What does it mean to be meek?

Christ is the epitome of one who is meek. “Nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.” (Luke 22:42) Christ did “nothing of himself” (John 5:19). He always sought the will of the Father. He didn’t have an agenda. He did not aspire. He was not stubborn, seeking to vindicate a viewpoint or tradition. He watched for the Father’s words and follow them when he received them.

“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I am sent by and represent God. I am not speaking my own words or pursuing my own agenda, but the Father's words and agenda... I not only know him, but I watch for his words like a sentinel always awaiting his direction.” – Testimony of John, Chapter 6, pg 17, 19

Vanity vs Humility

How do you become vain?

Vanity seeks to be popular. It is more interested in doing what will please others verse doing what will please God.

“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—

That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.

That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” – D&C 121: 34-37

Compare this to:

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” – Matthew 5:5

Why do you do the things you do? Is it because it will make you feel special, smart, powerful, popular, etc.? Are you looking forward to other people’s reaction? Or do you do the things you do because you seek to do God’s will? Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? Do you seek to fellowship with the heavens? Do you long for God’s word?

Unbelief verse Faith

In the lectures on faith, there are parts of faith that must be present in faith for the faith to lead to life and salvation. These things include: 1) a belief in God, 2) a correct understanding of God’s character, attributes and perfections, 3) the knowledge the course in life you are pursing is according to God’s will (fellowships from heaven), and 4) the willingness to sacrifice anything the Lord requires.

Unbelief is not no belief. Unbelief is believing things that won’t produce salvation. Unbelief comes from teaching doctrines the commandments of men having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Many who have unbelief connect themselves to a man (Bishop, Pope, Prophet, etc.) or rely on a man to guide them to God. Many who have unbelief are kept from the truth because they are in a tradition which tells them they already have it. The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel and he employeth no servant there (2 Nephi 9:41). Believing untrue things or trusting in untrue things or the arm of the flesh, will not produce fruit.

True faith, on the other hand, teaches a person to connect themselves directly to God. True faith, causes a person to act, knowing that faith without works is dead. True faith, doesn’t just say, but does the will of the Father. True faith, works out its own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

What is the fruit God is trying to produce from the tree?

The message of the gospel, the good news, is the divine family. God is looking to make sons and daughters of God.

“They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—

That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;

And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.

They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.

They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things—

They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory;

And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son.

Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God—

Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

And they shall overcome all things.” – D&C 76: 51-60

Sometimes the Lord sends storms and drops heavy trials with the goal of removing lofty branches. These storms can be given to us individually or to entire groups of people (Mosiah 20-22). These storms are good. They strengthen the core and remove those who are uninterested in taking up their cross.

“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.” – Testimony of John, Chapter 10, p 10

The Lord is seeking to produce fruit. May we all seek to remove our loftiness and produce fruit meet for the Father’s kingdom.