Kinda Fruity

Hey guys and gals,

Just wanted to write up some of the thoughts I've had lately. This week both my dad and a good friend spoke to me about their concerns when I spend time with North Star friends and going to Journey into Manhood,  firesides, groups etc.

Both times it kinda shook me. Was I making a mistake? Was I setting myself up for failure and danger. To "fall in love".

I was scared of taking the question to God. I didn't want him to tell me to stop, because I felt like I had been getting good support and I really enjoyed it too. Felt shame leaving, and was overcoming bad habits.

Three times when I was thinking about this the phrase "by their fruits ye shall know them". And I thought. What are the fruits? What have I seen.

And if I had to boil it down, I'd say the North Star fireside last night was a prime example of the fruits I've found from North Star friends and groups.

Good Spirit from the teachings and Song. Healing inspiration in many ways and then followed by great brotherhood with so many of you for hours after.

And of course last night was not an exception.

There are so many different ways to go about this. I think looking at the fruits that WE get out of the groups and activities.

Another thought is when Joseph smith was wondering if he should translate the Apocrypha The Lord said

4 Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth;
5 And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom;
6 And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited. Therefore it is not needful that it should be translated. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants, Section 91)

Anyway. Just my thoughts. It has been interesting to go through this process to come to a different conclusion than my dad who I look up to as a spiritual man. But I think I do need to grow and make my own way.

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Applicable scriptures below

Matthew 7
15 ¶Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Galatians 5
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (New Testament, Galatians, Chapter 5)