I grew up in a north central region of this country where we enjoyed the four seasons of the year. It was a long time ago, before fresh produce was shipped all over the country. Fresh fruit in our town was only available during the harvest time. After our fall fruit harvest was over, the only fruit available was out of a jar. In those days, every household canned most everything. As I recall, the first fruit available was the green, and usually very sour, crab apples. Looking back, it seemed like crab apple trees were all over, especially along every country lane and those paths that we took coming and going to school. When we would first try them, it was usually way too early. Their sourness would cause our mouths to pucker till we spit it out. When they were ripe enough to eat, we would enjoy their tartness. About the time the popular eating apples (wine sap, delicious, etc.) and other trees started bearing fruit, the crab apples were falling off the trees and starting to rot. That’s when we used them to bombard each other; we often got home with rotten apple splatted all over our shirts and pants. Fruit is one of those blessings from our Father in Heaven that makes your mouth water just to think about them. In our modern day, we can buy fresh fruit year round that is transported from all parts of the country and even from other countries. Fresh and tasty fruit of nearly every kind and color are found in the produce departments of our markets and grocery stores.
Fruit is a commonly used term in the scriptures. Many things are referred to as fruit, even we are referred to as fruit: the fruit of our father’s loin or the fruit of our mother’s womb. Converts to the church are referred to as the fruit of missionary labors. The good things we accomplish are referred to as the fruits of our labors, whether it be an education, a good job to provide for our families, church callings and assignments that are well done. The Lord loves to use that term. Why? Because we all love fruit and can relate to it as being good—good to our taste and good for our bodies.
All things in nature are a type or shadow of things heavenly. The Tree of Life that is referred to by Father Lehi is a fruit tree representing heaven and the joy that we shall have in the Father’s presence some day. The fruit of the Tree of Life was described as white and delightsome and most desirable of all other fruit.
Fruit is colorful, healthy, sweet, delicious and desirable. Sweet fruit, in season and from a healthy tree, represents the most sought after life-sustaining food on earth and in Heaven, as the scriptures define it.
In Adam’s time, Adam and Eve could partake of all the different fruit trees in the Garden of Eden except the fruit of the tree of “good and evil” of which they were commanded not to partake. The fruit of that tree was used by Satan to tempt Eve because he said: “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 1) Fruit and fruit trees are depicted throughout the scriptures, and they are representative of both the good and evil produced in the earth. For example, Christ caused the olive tree that had not produced its fruit in season to wither and die. It was deceptive because it had failed to live up to its expectation and therefore was perceived as evil. Deception is one of Satan’s most valuable tools in his work to foil God’s plan. In the Book of Moses (Pearl of Great Price), the Father’s very purpose is manifest, “For this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” That same purpose is found in the New Testament in John, only in different terms, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” ( John 15:8) The more souls (fruit) we bring into the fold, the greater the Father’s glory. The longest parable in the scriptures is the parable of the Olive Vineyard, depicting the history of God’s work in His vineyard, the earth. (Jacob 5) Wherein He nurtures, prunes and even grafts young shoots from one olive tree to another trying to encourage them to bear as much good fruit as possible that he might lay it up in store. The more fruit laid up, the greater His glory. Each tree represents a branch of the House of Israel and/or the gentile nations.
The very most fruitful Olive Tree in the Lord’s Vineyard right now is the one that resides in the Spirit world. Of those residing there, very few of them will not accept the gospel when they are taught (from President Snow). As they accept the missionary teachings, they will be waiting for their work to be done on earth. We have an obligation to find their records and to do their temple work. I am not referring to strangers but our very own kindred. Because they lived, we are living, and not only did they live, but by their sweat and tears, they better prepared the earth for our time here. We owe them, and, as a matter of record, we will not be saved without them. Let us find the time, just as we do for our favorite sports, TV, etc. May God bless us to be fruitful saints, for by our fruits we are known, and by our fruits we shall be judged.