Knowing True Prophets by their Fruits

We are warned in the Book of Mormon that there will be many false prophets in the last days. How can we be sure that the messages we hear are from those ordained by Christ and are not soothing words by wolves in sheep’s clothing?

We are given the following scriptures as guidance:

3 Nephi 14:15-16,20-21

Beware of  false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their a fruits.

Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

• How do you know what fruits to look for?

• How do you know what fruits are simply those of a good person and what fruits are of a true prophet?

The best way to know the fruits that the Lord is suggesting to discern a Prophet, is to go to the Scriptures. By studying the lives of those whom we KNOW to be True Prophets, we are able to then compare our findings with the fruits that Men put forth today.

The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hence, his pattern for his prophets will be the same too.

(Below are just a few of the scriptures references and prophetic attributes portrayed. It is this authors intent to encourage the reader to study this individually in greater depth, asking the Holy Spirit to be your guide.)

There are 5 main attributes (fruits) that almost all prophets in the scriptures portrayed. This article will simply supply a portion of those scriptures with very minimal narrative and allow the reader to ponder these truths with the Lord.

1-True Prophets have a real, face to face relationship with Christ.

• These true prophets receive a special witness of Christ. Christ, himself, appears to them or they are taken away in a vision to Heaven, to witness him. They see, in vision, Christ’s ministry, atonement and Death. This is why they are called: "Special Witnesses".

Moroni:

Ether 12:39

And then shall ye know that I have  seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me  face to face, and that he told me in  plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things;

Nephi:

1 Nephi 11:7,11

"...thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven, and him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed him ye shall  bear record that it is the Son of God."

11...I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.

1 Nephi 11:1

For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat a pondering in mine heart I was b caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high c mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

1 Nephi 11:16-36

16 And he said unto me: Knowest thou the a condescension of God? And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless,

I do not know of all things. 18 And he said unto me: Behold, the virgin whom thou seest is the  mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.

Lehi:

1 Nephi 1:9

9 And it came to pass that he saw One descending out of the midst of heaven, and he beheld that his  luster was above that of the sun at noon-day.

Isaiah:

2 Nephi 16:1

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple

( 2 Nephi 19)

Lamoni

Alma 19:13

For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have a seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name.

Brother of Jared

Ether 3:13,17

And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord  showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.

Jesus showed himself unto this man in the spirit, even after the manner and in the likeness of the same body even as he  showed himself unto the Nephites.

Disciples of Christ:

Ether 12:31

For thus didst thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for a after they had  faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst show thyself unto them in great power.

More examples:

Prophets: Moroni 7:29,31 Ether: Ether 13:4 Ether 3:20

Ether 12:19 Mormon: Mormon 1:15 Mormon 8:35 Enos: Enos 1:19 Alma and Sons of Mosiah:

Alma 17;10-11 Jacob: Jacob 1:6 Jacob 4:4 Jacob 7:5 Isaiah 2 Nephi 19 Nephi 1 Nephi 2:16, 1 Nephi 10:1, 1 Nephi 10:17-19

2. True Prophets are Redeemed from the Fall/ Receive a remission of their sins:

• According to the scriptures, a true prophet must have received redemption through Christ's atonement, by their faith. This brings them into the presence (or rest) of Christ, and prepares them for their sacred mission.

Nephi:

2 Nephi 2:3

Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer;

Isaiah:

2 Nephi 16:7

And he laid it upon my mouth, and said: Lo, this has touched thy lips; and thine a iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Enos :

Enos 1:2,5

And I will tell you of the a wrestle which I had before God, before I received a b remission of my sins.

Enos, thy sins are  forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.

Alma the Younger:

Mosiah 27:24

For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been a redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.

Mosiah 27:29

Brother of Jared:

Ether 3:13

 Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.

More examples:1Nephi 1:6-9, 1 Nephi 8:3

3. True Prophets are chosen by God and he directs them:

• Only Christ can choose his disciples and he is their Master, leading and guiding them directly.

Lehi:

1 Nephi 2:1-2

For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him: Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to a take away thy b life.

Nephi:

1 Nephi 2:19, 1 Nephi 3;1

And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Blessed art thou, Nephi, because of thy a faith, for thou hast sought me diligently, with lowliness of heart.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, returned from a speaking with the Lord, to the tent of my father.

Isaiah:

2 Nephi 16:8

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:  Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me.

King Benjamin:

Mosiah 3:2

And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me:  Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me.

Amulek:

Alma 11:30-31

Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things? And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me.

Alma and Son’s of Mosiah:

Alma 17:3

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

Alma 17:10-12

And it came to pass that the Lord did a visit them with his b Spirit, and said unto them: Be  comforted. And they were comforted. And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be  patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good b examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

Alma 21:4

And Aaron said unto the king: Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way; he has gone  to the land of Ishmael, to teach the people of Lamoni.

Moroni:

Moroni 7:2

And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the  grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his  calling unto me,

Ether 5:1,6

And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me

6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.

More examples:

The Brother of Jared: Ether 3:13,21Alma and Son’s of Mosiah: Alma 17:2 Enos: Enos 1:19

4. True Prophets bring others to experience/attain the same spiritual growth and understanding that they have :

• True prophets lift others to experience the same as they have experienced. Meaning, they teach the people how to do what they have (such as attaining hope and faith sufficient to be redeemed and such), because they have accomplished it themselves.

Jeremiah helps Lehi experience Christ

-Lehi-

1 Nephi 1:4-6

For it came to pass in the commencement of the a first year of the reign of  Zedekiah, king of Judah, (my father, Lehi, having dwelt at c Jerusalem in all his days); and in that same year there came many d prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must e repent, or the great city f Jerusalem must be destroyed. 5 Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even

with all his a heart, in behalf of his people. 6 And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much; and because of the things which he saw and heard he did b quake and tremble exceedingly.

Lehi helps Nephi Experience Christ- Nephi:

1 Nephi 10:17-19

And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the a words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a b vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the c Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was d desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the e Holy Ghost, which is the f gift of God unto g all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of h old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

1 Nephi 14:29

And I bear record that I saw the things which my  father saw, and the angel of the Lord did make them known unto me.

Enos's Father's teachings help Enos experience Christ

Enos 1:1-4

Behold, it came to pass that    I, Enos, knowing my father    that  he was a just man—for he  taught me in his language, and also in the  nurture and admonition of the Lord—and blessed be the name of my God for it— 2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a b remission of my sins. 3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the a joy of the saints,  sunk deep into my heart. 4 And my soul a hungered; and I  kneeled down before my Maker, and I c cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

King Benjamin helps his people experience it:

Mosiah 4:2-3

And they had a viewed themselves in their own b carnal state, even c less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the d atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be e purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who f created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. 3 And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a a remission of their sins, and having peace of b conscience, because of the exceeding c faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the d words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.

Mosiah 5:2-3

2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty a change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do b evil, but to do good continually. 3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite a goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. 4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.

Ammon helps the Lamanite people come these experiences:

Alma 19:6

6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark a veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the c light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had d overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—

14

Now Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out according to his a prayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren, who had been the cause of so much mourning among the Nephites, or among all the people of God because of their iniquities and their b traditions, he fell upon his knees, and began to pour out his soul in prayer and thanksgiving to God for what he had done for his brethren; and he was also overpowered with c joy; and thus they all three had d sunk to the earth.

29

And it came to pass that she went and took the queen by the a hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet, and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have c mercy on this people! 30 And when she had said this, she clasped her hands, being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not understood;

33-34

3 And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni; and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing—that their hearts had been a changed; that they had no more desire to do b evil. 34 And behold, many did declare unto the people that they had seen a angels and had conversed with them; and thus they had told them things of God, and of his righteousness.

Aaron:

Alma 22:23

3 And Ammon did preach unto the people of king Lamoni; and it came to pass that he did teach them all things concerning things pertaining to righteousness. And he did exhort them daily, with all diligence; and they gave heed unto his word, and they were a zealous for keeping the commandments of God.

More examples: 1 Nephi 8:11-12 , 1 Nephi 11:16-36

5. True Prophets perform Miracles and exhibit Gifts:

• Specific signs/miracles of Faith always follow those who represent Christ.

Ether 12:12

For if there be no  faith among the children of men God can do no  miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

Nephi:

1 Nephi 7;17-18

18 And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet,

1 Nephi 17;53-54

54 And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my brethren, and they did not wither before me; but the Lord did shake them, even according to the word which he had spoken.

King Mosiah:

Mosiah 8:14-18

And behold, the king of the people who are in the land of Zarahemla is the man that is commanded to do these things, and who has this high gift from God. 15 And the king said that a a seer is greater than a prophet. 16 And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God. 17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. 18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.

Abinadi:

Mosiah 13:3

Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye  requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time.

Moroni:

Mormon 8:10-24

And he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their brethren. And he knoweth their faith, for in his name could they remove mountains; and in his name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of his word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of his word

Alma/Amulek:

Ether 12:15

For if there be no a faith among the children of men God can do no b miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. 13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the a prison to tumble to the earth.

3 Nephites:

Ether 12:17-18

17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.

And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.

Ammon:

Ether 12:15

15 Behold, it was the faith of a Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.

Alma and Amulek:

Alma 14:29

Now the people having heard a great noise came running together by multitudes to know the cause of it; and when they saw Alma and Amulek coming forth out of the prison, and the walls thereof had fallen to the earth, they were struck with great fear, and fled from the presence of Alma and Amulek even as a goat fleeth with her young from two lions; and thus they did flee from the presence of Alma and Amulek.

More examples:

1 Nephi 4:23, Alma 17:38, Ether 12:14, 1 Nephi 16:10-11, 1 Nephi 10:2

These are just a portion of the plethora of scriptures available to support the prophetic fruits we need to look for. Please take the time to search for yourself and then present your findings before the Lord. We are warned of wolves in sheep's clothing, not because it would be easy to spot but because it would be very difficult to know who was a wolf and who was a sheep, without knowing the fruits.

May we all discern the servants of the Lord, that we may not be lead into carnal security.