Fruit to Make One Happy
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Display a piece of fruit or a picture of fruit. Ask, “What is the difference between knowing what this fruit looks like and knowing how it tastes?” Read Elder Stevenson’s comparison between tasting fruit and living gospel truths, then invite members to consider how practicing the gospel helps them experience its sweetness.
- Write Elder Stevenson’s three gospel fruits on the board: our identity as children of God, the plan of happiness through Jesus Christ, and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Invite members to reflect silently on which truth brings them particular comfort or joy right now. Ask a few volunteers to explain their choices without sharing anything too personal.
- Read Lehi’s words quoted in the talk: “It filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also.” Ask members what this statement reveals about the relationship between experiencing God’s love and wanting to share it. Introduce the lesson as an opportunity to explore both receiving gospel blessings and helping others receive them.
- Invite members to read or sing a verse of “I Am a Child of God.” Ask which words stand out to them and how this simple song teaches truths adults continue to need. Connect their responses to Elder Stevenson’s teaching that being a child of Heavenly Father is our most important identity.
- Write “warn,” “comfort,” and “testify” on the board. Ask members how each role of the Holy Ghost blesses everyday life. Explain that the lesson explores this gift alongside two other gospel truths Elder Stevenson describes as delicious fruit.
Topics
Recognize Children’s Gifts and Contributions
Elder Stevenson addresses Primary children as valued participants in Heavenly Father’s work. He teaches that their talents, spiritual gifts, testimonies, and service bless their homes, communities, and the world. His message invites adults to recognize children’s spiritual contributions and help them develop their gifts.
“Heavenly Father has given you talents and spiritual gifts. He wants you to use these gifts and talents to be happy and bless others.”
- What does Elder Stevenson’s message help us understand about children’s place in Heavenly Father’s work?
- How do children’s testimonies, answers, and songs strengthen your faith?
- How can we help children recognize their spiritual gifts without comparing them with others?
- What opportunities can we give children to contribute meaningfully at home and in the ward?
- What change can you make in the way you listen to or encourage children so they feel valued as disciples of Jesus Christ?
Experience Gospel Joy by Living Its Truths
Elder Stevenson uses Lehi’s vision to explain that the tree represents God’s love, including the birth, life, and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The fruit represents blessings available through Christ’s Atonement, including ordinances, covenants, restored gospel truths, and eternal life. Just as tasting fruit differs from merely looking at it, living gospel truths helps us experience their sweetness and joy.
Gospel truths are the same. We learn them at home, Primary, and through the scriptures. They become sweet to us as we live them, bringing us happiness and joy.
- How does the image of tasting fruit help you understand the difference between learning a gospel truth and living it?
- Which gospel truth becomes especially meaningful to you as you put it into practice?
- How do ordinances and covenants help us receive blessings through the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
- How can we recognize gospel joy even when life remains difficult?
- What gospel teaching can you practice more deliberately this week, and how can you notice the blessings it brings?
Let Your Divine Identity Shape Your Life
Elder Stevenson teaches that being a child of a loving Heavenly Father is our most important identity. Heavenly Father knows us personally and gives us bodies, abilities, spiritual gifts, and a plan that helps us become like Him. This knowledge strengthens us in hardship and encourages kindness because everyone around us is our brother or sister.
Heavenly Father knows us personally. This is your most important identity.
- What changes in the way we see ourselves when being a child of God becomes our most important identity?
- How does knowing Heavenly Father loves you personally give you strength during difficult times?
- What helps you remember your divine identity when other labels or expectations compete for your attention?
- How does seeing another person as your brother or sister influence the way you respond to disagreement?
- How can you discover and develop your gifts in ways that bless others rather than simply draw attention to yourself?
Find Hope Through Jesus Christ’s Plan of Happiness
Elder Stevenson places the Atonement of Jesus Christ at the center of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. His account of ministering to a grieving Buddhist priest illustrates how truths about life after death offer peace and hope. He also teaches that Jesus Christ makes repentance, forgiveness, continued progress, and lasting joy possible.
The Book of Mormon calls this “the great plan of happiness.” Central to this plan is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
- How does placing Jesus Christ at the center of the plan of happiness change your understanding of that plan?
- Which truths about life after death bring you comfort, and why?
- What does Elder Stevenson’s account of visiting the grieving priest teach us about compassionate ministering?
- How does the Savior’s invitation to repent and keep progressing answer the fear that we are never good enough?
- What helps you turn to Jesus Christ when grief, mistakes, or discouragement make happiness feel distant?
Receive the Holy Ghost’s Guidance and Comfort
Elder Stevenson identifies the gift of the Holy Ghost and His constant companionship as a precious gospel fruit. He explains that this gift comes through confirmation following baptism and that the Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit and a member of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost warns, comforts, and testifies, including bearing witness of Heavenly Father’s love.
We know through revelation the Holy Ghost “is a personage of Spirit” and a member of the Godhead. His very important roles include to warn, to comfort, and to testify.
- How do the Holy Ghost’s roles of warning, comforting, and testifying help you understand His work in your life?
- What everyday practices help you make room to recognize and respond to the Holy Ghost?
- What experiences help you recognize the Spirit’s witness that Heavenly Father knows and loves you?
- How can we teach children or new members about the Holy Ghost without suggesting that everyone experiences His influence in exactly the same way?
- What change in your daily routine can help you more intentionally seek the Holy Ghost’s companionship?
Love, Share, and Invite Others to Partake
Elder Stevenson connects Lehi’s desire to share the fruit with his family to our opportunities to bless family, friends, and loved ones. He invites us to love, share, and invite through both words and actions. He promises greater joy as others partake of the gospel fruit that blesses us.
I invite you to do something that is as simple as gospel fruit is delicious: love, share, and invite. Do this with words and actions.
- What does Lehi’s desire for his family to partake of the fruit teach us about sharing the gospel?
- How can loving actions make our words about the gospel more meaningful?
- What does a sincere, respectful invitation look like when someone’s beliefs or circumstances differ from ours?
- What experiences show you the joy that comes from helping another person receive gospel blessings?
- Whom can you love, share with, or invite this week, and what simple action fits that person’s needs?
Additional Discussion Questions
- How do Elder Stevenson’s three gospel fruits work together to deepen our trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
- What simple gospel truth do you need to approach with renewed attention rather than assume you already understand?
- How can our quorum or Relief Society help people experience gospel joy rather than only hear about it?
- How can we speak about the plan of happiness in ways that offer hope without minimizing someone’s grief?
- What can children teach adults about expressing faith simply and sincerely?
- How does remembering that everyone is a child of God influence our efforts to love, share, and invite?
- How can seeking the Holy Ghost help us discern what to say—or when simply to listen—as we minister?
- What helps us distinguish joy rooted in Jesus Christ from happiness that depends entirely on favorable circumstances?
- How can we support loved ones who do not currently choose to partake of the gospel fruit we cherish?
- As you consider this talk, what one action do you feel invited to take, and how can you make space to follow through?
