What are the Fruits of Our Faith? A Guide for Modern Disciples

When I was serving my mission, I remember struggling with a question that felt enormous. It wasn't about doctrine, or even attendance—it was about *visible impact*. I was wondering: how do you prove that you genuinely love the restored gospel? How do you know if your faith is real, or just a comfortable habit?

It's a question that comes up constantly, especially now. The world is loud, and the messages are contradictory. We hear intense debates about what constitutes "right" or "wrong" in our culture, and sometimes the noise makes it hard to hear the quiet, steady voice of the Spirit.

The Lord, in the scriptures, gave us a timeless guide: “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20). This isn't just a doctrinal point; it's a life skill. It’s a spiritual diagnostic tool. It asks us to look past the surface—past the loud pronouncements, the dramatic social media posts, or the cultural flashpoints—and instead, look at the quiet, persistent evidence of the Savior's influence in our lives and our communities.

Cultivating Good Fruit: A Discipleship Mindset

The temptation, when we read intense cultural commentary, is to get bogged down in who is right and who is wrong. We start debating the weeds, the thorns, and the thistles. But as returned missionaries, we know that the focus has to be on the good tree. We have to focus on what we can control: our own garden.

The core principle here is that true, restored faith isn't defined by what we *disagree* with, but by what we *embrace* and *practice*. What does it look like, practically, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ today? It means showing up. It means being willing to be uncomfortable for the sake of the truth.

When we examine the source of good fruit, we realize it always points back to the covenants we have made. It’s the fruit of service (showing up when a comp needs help with rent, or a neighbor needs a hand). It's the fruit of humility (the willingness to ask for help and admit we don't know everything). It's the fruit of persistent study (the commitment to *Preach My Gospel* not just for a lesson, but for a lifetime).

Your Personal Garden: Where Does the Fruit Grow?

If we take the concept of "fruit" personally, it becomes a powerful missionary preparation tool. It’s not enough to simply *believe* in the gospel; we have to let the gospel *change* us. The best way to measure that change is to ask yourself: where am I showing the Atonement of Jesus Christ today? Am I being Christlike in my patience with my family? Am I willing to share a scripture insight in the Social Scripture Study feed when I'm bored on the bus? Am I reaching out to an investigator with genuine, selfless care?

This is where the power of digital discipleship comes in. We are all Internet missionaries, and our field is everywhere. If you've been wrestling with the "how-to" of sharing the gospel with a skeptical friend, don't tackle it alone. We have amazing resources.

Need help processing a tough question?

That's where I recommend leveraging our AI co-pilot, Davee. He specializes in the Investigator role. You can feed him a tough scenario—a hard question an investigator might ask—and he will walk you through how to answer it with grace, wisdom, and deep scripture-discipleship. It’s perfect practice for those difficult missionary discussions.

My challenge to you this week is to focus on one small act of service—one specific, tangible way you can be a "good tree" in your immediate circle. Don't wait for a big event or a formal gathering. Be the good fruit today.

If you want to deepen your understanding of how the gospel provides the answers, join a local Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. If you're ready to dive into the deep end, check out the latest Iron Rod recommendation in LivingBook. Let's keep cultivating the fruits of the restored gospel together.