Elder Neil L. Andersen on the fruit of the gospel

Elder Neil L. Andersen (born August 9, 1951) served as a Seventy beginning in 1993, and was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2009.

"As we have all learned, even after savoring the precious fruit of the restored gospel, staying true and faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ is still not easily done. As has been said many times in this conference, we continue to face distractions and deceptions, confusion and commotion, enticements and temptations that attempt to pull our hearts away from the Savior and the joys and beauties we have experienced in following Him....

"In our world today, the adversary’s construction crews are working overtime, hastily inflating the large and spacious building. The expansion has spread across the river, hoping to envelop our homes, while the pointers and the scoffers wail day and night on their internet megaphones.

"President Nelson explained, 'The adversary is quadrupling his efforts to disrupt testimonies and impede the work of the Lord.' (Ensign May 2019, 68.) Let us remember Lehi’s words: 'We heeded them not' (1 Ne 8:33).

"Although we need not fear, we are to be on guard. At times, little things can upend our spiritual balance. Please don’t allow your questions, the insults of others, faithless friends, or unfortunate mistakes and disappointments to turn you away from the sweet, pure, and soul-satisfying blessings that come from the precious fruit of the tree. Keep your eyes and your hearts centered on the Savior Jesus Christ and the eternal joy that comes only through Him."

- Neil L. Andersen, "Fruit," General Conference October 2019, Sunday afternoon

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Lehi's dream provides some of the richest imagery we have to help understand our mortal experience, including the challenges and the blessings that are a part of it. Elder Andersen warned about the

• distractions and deceptions
• confusion and commotion
• enticements and temptations

in our day that try to "pull our hearts away from the Savior and the joys and beauties we have experienced in following Him." It is so critical for us to keep the Gospel light burning bright. When our love for the Savior is strong, and our understanding of His love for us is clear, then those outside influences will have far less impact.

I appreciated this faithful and encouraging message. We need not fear! But we do need to be on guard. We must never forget or lose sight of those "sweet, pure, and soul-satisfying blessings" that we receive as we partake of the shining fruit of the tree.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)