I read the Article "Finding Ourselves in Lehi's Dream" by President Boyd K. Packer. In the article Lehi's Dream of he Tree of Life is described and then applied to modern times. The Story of Lehi's Dream can be found in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 8 and an explanation of the dream can be found in 1 Nephi 11. In the dream, Lehi saw many things. He saw a path following a river, there was a mist of darkness, an iron rod that led through the mist of darkness, there was a great and spacious building, and there was a tree with fruit that was desirable above all other fruit. There's a lot of symbolism in this vision and a lot to be learned.
This article was aimed more for members of the church but as with all scripture it can be applied to anyone who is trying to follow the right path back to our Father in Heaven.
An interesting thing about this story is what happens to those individuals after they partake of the fruit. They've made it through the mists of darkness all the way to the tree. They were able to partake of the fruit and feel of the joy it brought, but then they let the influence of those in the great and spacious building affect their choices. They left the tree of life and joined those in the great and spacious building. And then after they entered the building they seemed to have forgotten the love and joy that came from the tree of life and they too joined in with mocking others.
A lot of the time we feel that if we are doing everything right, nothing bad will happen to us. But that's not the case. We are all wandering through a mist of darkness. President Packer explains, "The mist of darkness will cover you at times so much that you will not be able to see your way even a short distance ahead. You will not be able to see clearly. But with the gift of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way ahead through life. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go."
Sometimes it's easy to become casual with the small things that strengthen our testimony. In Alma 37 we read about how by following the words of Christ we will be carried beyond the vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. But we are warned "do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way."
In D&C 20:31-34 we read:
"And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.
Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation;
The small, simple things such as daily scripture study, daily prayer, and weekly church attendance give such strength to our lives. When we slacken on these things, we are putting our spiritual growth at risk. These things bring the Spirit into our lives and help us overcome temptation and make righteous choices When we do these small simple things on a regular basis the Holy Ghost will help us and guide us in all that we do.
I hope and pray that we will all stay faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ; that we will all cling to the iron rod and never let go. I pray that we will all be rewarded with the amazing promise of eternal life which is the greatest gift of God.
