Picture yourself in a scene that is completely pitch black and full of gloom and discouragement. You wonder helplessly in the dark for hours, confused and lost. Then, you decide to fall to your knees and pray to the Lord for direction and plead for His tender mercies. As you look up, you get a glimpse of the entire world in front of you. Within this world, you see many things. Your attention quickly sets on a bright, white object - a large, beautiful tree. More beautiful and powerful then you have ever experienced. It fills your heart with love and compassion. You run up to it, blinded by its brightness, re-focus and reach for the fruit hanging from its limbs. Your mouth begins to water and you take a bite. Oh, it is so sweet and delicious! You are filled with joy and happiness beyond anything you have ever felt, you can't help but to grin. Then, you peer out into the darkness and see a running river with an iron rod following alongside it, leading by way of a straight and narrow path, up to the tree. Off in the dark distance, you see an enormous building filled with people dressed in expensive clothing & flashy jewelry, drunk and mocking those who clung to the iron rod, making their way to the tree ahead and laughing at those who were eating its delicious fruit. You want all your family to join you and find the same happiness you have, but there are some who have wondered and become lost. They have chosen other paths and it saddens your heart to see their choices and where it has lead them. You think, What does this all mean?
Many symbols can be found throughout Lehi's dream that give us great guidance and direction.
In a recent Ensign article: Lehi's Dream -Holding Fast to the Rod (Oct2011), Elder David A. Bednar, explains Lehi's dream in a way I had never thought of before. I just love it. First he explains the symbolism of certain pieces of the dream.
"The central feature in Lehi’s dream is the tree of life—a representation of the Love of God (1Ne 11:21-22).
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”
(John 3:16). Thus, the birth, life, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ are the greatest manifestations of God’s love for His children."
"The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement.
Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of
ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully
efficacious in our lives. The fruit is described as “desirable to make
one happy” (1Ne 8:10) and produces great joy and the desire to share that joy with others."
"Significantly, the overarching theme of the Book of Mormon—inviting all
to come unto Christ—is paramount in Lehi’s vision. Of particular
interest is the rod of iron that led to the tree (1Ne 8:19). The rod of iron is the word of God."
This next part of Elder Bednar's talk I love..
"Father Lehi saw four groups of people in his dream. Three of the groups were pressing forward along the strait and narrow path seeking to obtain the tree and its fruit. A fourth group did not seek after the tree, desiring instead the great and spacious building as their ultimate destination (1Ne 8:31-33).
In 1Ne 8:21-23 we learn about the first group of people who pressed forward and commenced in the path that led to the tree of life. However, as the people encountered the mist of darkness, which represents “the temptations of the devil” (1Ne 12:17), they lost their way, wandered off, and were lost.
Notice that no mention is made in these verses of the rod of iron. Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior. Consider that this group obtained the path and pressed forward, exhibiting a measure of faith in Christ and spiritual conviction, but they were diverted by the temptations of the devil and were lost.
In 1Ne 8:24-28 we read about a second group of people who obtained the strait and narrow path that led to the tree of life. This group "did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree". However, as the finely dressed occupants of the great and spacious building mocked this second group of people, “they were ashamed” and “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost". Please notice that this group is described as “clinging to the rod of iron”.
It is significant that the second group pressed forward with faith and commitment. They also had the added blessing of the rod of iron, and they were clinging to it! However, as they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group eventually was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.
In verse 30 we read about a third group of people who pressed forward “continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” The key phrase in this verse is continually holding fast to the rod of iron.
The third group also pressed forward with faith and conviction; however, there is no indication that they wandered off, fell into forbidden paths, or were lost. Perhaps this third group of people consistently read and studied and searched the scriptures. Perhaps it was diligence and devotion to a seemingly “small and simple [thing]” (Alma 37:6) that saved the third group from perishing. Perhaps it was “the knowledge of the Lord” and “the knowledge of the truth” (Alma 23:5,6) obtained through faithful study of the scriptures that yielded the spiritual gift of humility—such that this group of people “fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1Ne 8:30). Perhaps it was the spiritual nourishment and strength provided by continually “feasting upon the word of Christ” (2Ne 31:20) that enabled this group to heed not the scorning and mocking of the people in the great and spacious building (see 1Ne 8:33). This is the group you and I should strive to join."
This is a whole new way of looking at this story. Elder Bednar goes beyond the obvious symbols and digs deeper. He pulls out more meaning and understanding of how we, as latter day saints, should live our life. I try to continually do those things that will lead me to the tree of life, back to my Heavenly Father. At times it can be hard. Especially in the world we live in with so much evil, so many temptations. But I find that as I make time for the little things that are important - reading my scriptures, saying my prayers, going to church - it makes it easier to withstand temptations and I am more in tune with the spirit of God.
"May we all have eyes to see and ears to hear additional lessons from Lehi’s vision that will help us to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2Ne 31:20)".
-Sarah M.
No comments:
Post a Comment