Fruits of the Spirit

[Dr T]

Originally Posted by Maxel

I think I can.


Often, anti-Mormons will accuse us of believing in a 'different' Jesus than the one traditional Christians worship.

From my experience, this accusation arises from one (or more) of two main sources:

1) The Book of Mormon is subtitled 'another testament of Christ'. Somehow, some antis believe that the meaning of the phrase 'another testament of Christ' actually resembles the meaning given by the wording 'a testament of another Christ', or some similar phrasing. In this case, the anti-Mormon forces the term 'another' to modify 'Christ', when it clearly modifies 'testament'.

2) We believe in doctrine about Christ (the Godhead) that disagrees with traditional Christian thinking (the Trinity). Apparently those who believe this believe that the doctrines espoused by traditional Christianity are set forth so solidly in the Bible that any other interpretation is 'of another spirit' or 'of another Gospel' (2 Cor. 11:4). In this case, the anti-Mormon is simply closing his/her eyes to the fact that many acclaimed and widely used Bible dictionaries (including the Harper's Bible Dictionary) plainly state that the complete doctrine of the Trinity is not to be found in the Bible itself, but is a post-biblical doctrine decided upon in the early Christian councils.

Both points don't hold up to honest scrutiny. The 'Mormons believe in a different Christ' is, for a lack of a better term, the unlearned man's anti-Mormon argument. Here, Just_A_Guy was referencing that common accusation in a facetious response to LittleNipper's comment '[a]nd if it is true, why do so many seem to be harsh in their dealings with others professing to be believers?'

also because Gordon Hinkley said it Maxel.

[Dr T]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

I apologize for the pendantry....but some of the posters have used plurals to paraphrase the verse. It is "fruit is". There is only one fruit. I have heard people make an issue out of that, I don't know if it makes that big a difference but quoting scripture acurately never hurt anyone.

Yes it is "fruit" so what does that mean? Is the fruit "love" and then the others are just descriptors of what love is through joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.?

[AnthonyB]

Are you wanting a greek grammar analysis! My guess would be that it is something like saying.....The grand canyon is majestic, awesome, wonderful and breathtaking. Or to really put it in LDS terms...The fruit of the LDS church is wholsomeness, purity, holiness, dedication.

(The author of the preceeding comment wishes to express that it was an example and not an expression of his personal opinion or the the truthfulness of the statement or not.)

[LittleNipper]

Originally Posted by AnthonyB

I apologize for the pendantry....but some of the posters have used plurals to paraphrase the verse. It is "fruit is". There is only one fruit. I have heard people make an issue out of that, I don't know if it makes that big a difference but quoting scripture accurately never hurt anyone.

Well a tree will bring forth fruit, and there is a basket of fruit. If one speaks of various fruit, one might be okay in saying fruits. Each attribute of christian growth might be considered a fruit in it's own right. Where one quotes a verse verbatum, it should be as written, but a title is only a title...

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by Dr T

also because Gordon Hinkley said it Maxel.

You should read the whole quote in context, Dr. T........

[Maxel]

Originally Posted by Dr T

also because Gordon Hinkley said it Maxel.

I can't find any quote of his that, when read in context, points to us worshiping any Jesus other than the one born in Jerusalem of the virgin Mary.

In the argument, anti-Mormons claim we worship a Jesus other than the one spoken about in the New Testament- the one born of the virgin Mary. They seek to brand us wholly un-Christian because we supposedly worship another Jesus in history.

Any remarks about the LDS worshiping 'another' Jesus that has come from the mouths of the LDS prophets have been in relation to the doctrine and view of Jesus that we maintain. We believe Jesus is fundamentally different, in some ways, than traditional Christians do. However, that does not mean we worship a Jesus different than the one we read about in the New Testament.

Thank you for pointing that out, Dr T. I hadn't remembered that when I posted. Again, we see that one has to take the quote out of context for the anti-Mormon's desired goal to be accomplished. Again, the argument doesn't hold up to honest scrutiny.

[gabelpa]

Originally Posted by LittleNipper

My question is if the above is still true or was this added by those wishing to fool believers? And if it is true, why do so many seem to be harsh in their dealings with others professing to be believers?

I think that there are many more gifts of the Spirit than what you listed. Just as there is no list of the ways in which we may sin, there is no list of the gifts we may be given by our Father in Heaven. We only know of some of these gifts. I noticed that your list also misses out other manifestations of the Spirit,such as Revelation, Speaking/Interpretation of Tongues, Healing, etc.

We are all imperfect, and falter. Not all will receive all these gifts. When Jesus cleansed the Temple, was he meek, gentle, or peaceful?

[Hemidakota]

Littledipper, in Mosiah chapter 4 verse 13 it reads: "And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due."

What follows is not a list of do's and don'ts on the part of King Benjamin but rather a characterization of individuals and families who have been born of the Spirit. To have the Lord's Spirit is to do the things that the Lord would do; conversely, those possessed of an evil spirit will be the perpetrators of evil deeds. Parents are admonished to teach their children to love and serve each other. Such actions will be attended by the Spirit of the Lord, whereas to fight and quarrel is to befriend the spirit of the evil one.

"..Not have a mind to injure one another..." Paul taught the Galatians that the fruits of the Spirit are "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Those who live in the Spirit also walk in that Spirit; having the mind of Christ, their Master, they have no disposition to do other than aid and bless one another. (Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 2:16; D&C 11:12.)

Paul and King Benjamin had common ground on this subject - FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT.