Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Symbolism

First Nephi 8

Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life as first given is enhanced by the later interpretations taught to Nephi. It is a dream of symbols. The central conflict is the tree of life on one hand, and the great and spacious building on the other. The multitudes file off to proclaim their allegiance either way. Unfortunately because of the mists, they don't always make it to their destination. Actually everywhere but the tree is extremely life threatening. It seems the most terrible fate is getting lost, and the most common. Lehi describes it several times "they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost", "they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost", and "many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads". So how do you and I avoid getting lost? First we have to find and hold onto the rod of iron. We learn later that the rod of iron is the word of God. But even that might not be enough - one group of people who made it to the tree via the rod of iron were ashamed because of the scoffing of those who were pointing the finger of scorn at them from the building. (v.28) "as many as heeded them had fallen away." (v34) However, one verse discribes a group of people who were successful at making it to the tree and staying there

How do you and I avoid getting lost in the mists of this world? Press your way forward. Hold fast to the word of God. Fall down at and partake of the fruit of the tree, and heed not what anyone else may say.

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