Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruits

On New Year’s Eve, all of the missionaries had to be in their houses by 6:00 in the evening for safety reasons*.  That gave us time to celebrate for ourselves though.  We got some bricks and a grate, bought some charcoal, and two kilos of fresh beef from the meat market around the corner.  We rubbed it with merkèn (which I have heard is a spice from the Mapuche Indians native to Chile), oregano and salt.  It was some of the most delicious beef I have had in my life.  It was amazing.  At midnight, fireworks went off throughout the streets.  It was a fun time. 

Besides the New Year, there isn't a whole lot to include this week and I am running low on time.  I would like to share a scripture though. 

 Matthew 7:15-20 says:

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.

There are many false prophets in the world today, but not many have tangible fruit like the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Don't dismiss him as a prophet before you have examined his fruit, the Book of Mormon.  In order to know if the fruit is good, read the Book of Mormon, and ask God if it is true through sincere prayer and you will receive an answer.  God always answers the prayers of the faithful.  I have read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know of its truth.  I have received an answer .  It wasn't a great manifestation from God, but a simple, sincere feeling of testimony.  Read it. Try the fruit and know for yourself if Joseph Smith was a prophet.  This is my invitation in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a great year of 2014 everyone! ¡Èxito!

 

*I don't think Ben knows we get the mission newsletter. They were supposed to use the time to thoroughly clean their house. But the beef sounds good!