✨ The Tree of Life #8
✨ The Tree of Life
📝 Their Message (Summary)
🌳 The Tree of Life — Holding Fast to His Word
Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life remains one of the most sacred treasures in all scripture. It is more than a dream — it is a map of our mortal journey, showing the dangers that beset us, the distractions that surround us, and the great joy that awaits if we will but hold fast to the rod of iron and press forward to partake of the fruit.
🕊️ The Tree itself represents the love of God, made manifest in His Son, Jesus Christ. Nephi declared plainly that the fruit was “desirable above all things” because it is the greatest of all gifts — eternal life in the presence of God. (1 Nephi 11:22–23)
🔥 The rod of iron is the word of God. Notice that in the dream, people did not arrive at the Tree through wishful thinking or casual belief. They arrived by clinging to the rod — His voice, His commandments, His Spirit. It is no wonder that Nephi, later in his record, warned us to “feast upon the words of Christ” because they would tell us all things we should do. (2 Nephi 32:3)
🌫️ The mists of darkness represent the temptations, doubts, and lies of the adversary. They are thick, confusing, and intended to cause us to lose our way. Those who let go of the word of God and wander on their own paths soon find themselves lost in the darkness.
🏰 The great and spacious building is the pride of the world — a house built with no foundation. Lehi saw multitudes mocking from its windows, pointing fingers at those who were partaking of the fruit. And many, ashamed at the scorn, fell away. Yet in truth, those who mocked had “no foundation, whereon they should build.” (1 Nephi 8:26–27; 11:36)
🔥 My Reflection
This teaching is piercing. How often have I thought I was holding to the rod simply because I was a baptized member, or because I read my scriptures faithfully? But the rod is not secondhand—it is God’s voice to me.
The mist of darkness comes to everyone who truly sets out to know the Lord face to face. And it feels like losing your footing in the dark: fear, doubt, even terror. It is part of the proving, part of the path. The ancients all walked it—Abraham, Moses, Nephi, Moroni—and so must we.
Joseph Smith explained that only after faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost—when a person continues steadfastly, willing to serve God “at all hazards”—then the Lord makes their calling and election sure, and sends the Second Comforter. That is the fruit of the Tree of Life.
This family’s insight cuts through the easy interpretations. The dream is not a story for Primary—it is a map. And if we set out on it, the mist will come. But so will the Lord.
🕊️ The Invitation
Are you willing to endure the mist of darkness for the sake of the fruit? To love God above all else?
Lehi promised that the fruit is “most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted” (1 Nephi 8:11). But it is given only to those who press forward through the dark, clinging to the pure word of God until the light breaks.
If you want the Tree of Life, do not stop at the gate. Cry out as Adam and Eve did. Cling to revelation. And you will taste the joy of His presence in this life.
🔗 Walking with Jesus — A Family’s Story
This post is part of an ongoing series sharing the six-year testimony of a family who walks closer with the Savior than anyone I know. Read their words, feel the Spirit, and let Jesus meet you where you are.
Post #9 — The Tree of Life
Previous: Post #8 — What Is the Fulness of the Gospel?
Next: Post #10 — (coming soon)
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