You may think that Lehi's vision has no special meaning for you--but it does! You are in it--all of us are in it. Lehi's vision has in it everything a Latter-day Saint needs to understand the Test of Life. Read the vision carefully--then read it again and again. All the things you need to know are there. Boyd K. Packer
The overarching message of both the gospel and the Book of Mormon is that God himself does not desire our separation from his presence. The image of Lehi beckoning to his family to come and partake of the fruit emphasizes the central message of the Book of Mormon--that God's arms of mercy are extended to his children. Jennifer C. Lane
The dream has been called one of the richest, most flexible, and far-reaching pieces of symbolic prophecy contained in the standard works, and a literary masterpiece and a doctrinal gem. Robert L. Millet
The Tree of Life
Partaking of the fruit of the tree thus represented the partaking of the powers of Christ and his atonement: forgiveness of sins, as well as feelings of peace, joy and gratitude. Ultimately, through partaking of the powers of the gospel one is qualified to partake of the greatest fruit of the Atonement--the blessings associated with eternal life. Robert L. Millet
What does it mean to enter into the rest of the Lord? Speaking for myself, it means that through the love of God I have been won over to Him, so that I can feel at rest in Christ, that I may no more be disturbed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; and that I am established in the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ, so that no power can turn me aside from the straight and narrow path that leads back into the presence of God, to enjoy exaltation in His glorious kingdom; that from this time henceforth I shall enjoy that rest until I shall rest with Him in the heavens. Joseph F. Smith
The image of Christ and the tree are inextricably linked--at the very outset of the Book of Mormon Christ is portrayed as the source of eternal life and joy--living evidence of divine love and the means whereby God will fulfill his covenant with the House of Israel and indeed the entire family of man--returning them all to their eternal promises. Jeffrey R. Holland
Happily, many of us have already picked and been greatly nourished by the low-hanging fruit from the gospel tree. Yet, on the higher branches, much fruit still remains, unreached for and unplucked. Neglecting to harvest this fruit deprives us of greater joy and of greater capacity to help others. This further feast includes, for example, those fruits of repentance ripened from correcting our sins of omission. The "cease and desist" portion of repentance is surely vital but so is doing the good heretofore undone. The higher hanging fruits also embody the sweet savor of submissiveness, the nourishing nectar of consecration, and the milk of meekness. All these await our stretching grasp and represent the further expressions of love of God for us. This fruit, said Lehi, is "most sweet" and will "make one happy". No wonder God, who delights to honor those who will so stretch, urges us onward. His own beckoning arm is stretched out and even extended all the day long. He knows all about stretching. Neal A. Maxwell
The Iron Rod
I invite you to consider carefully and prayerfully the following question: What lessons can and should I learn from Lehi's vision of the tree of life and from the principle of continually holding fast to the rod of iron that will enable me to stand spiritually strong in the world in which we live today? As you work diligently and seek inspiration to answer this important question, you will come to understand more fully by the power of the Holy Ghost, both in your heart and in your mind, the importance of continually holding fast to the rod of iron. And you will be blessed to apply those lessons with faith and diligence in your individual life and in your home. David A. Bednar
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 you way ahead through life. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. Boyd K. Packer
The Great and Spacious Building
A few eager individuals lecture the rest of us about Church doctrines in which they no longer believe. They criticize the use of Church resources to which they no longer contribute. They condescendingly seek to counsel the Brethren whom they no longer sustain. Confrontive, except of themselves of course, they leave the Church, but they cannot leave the Church alone. Like the throng on the ramparts of the great and spacious building, they are intensely and busily preoccupied, pointing fingers of scorn at the steadfast iron-rodders. Considering their ceaseless preoccupation, one wonders, "Is there no diversionary activity available to them, especially in such a large building--like a bowling alley?" Perhaps in their mockings and beneath the stir are repressed doubts of their doubts. Neal A. Maxwell
To those of you who are inching your way closer and closer to that great and spacious building, let me make it completely clear that the people in that building have absolutely nothing to offer except instant, short-term gratification inescapably connected to long-term sorrow and suffering. The commandments you observe were not given by a dispassionate God to prevent you from having fun, but by a loving Father in Heaven who wants you to be happy while you are living on this earth as well as in the hereafter. Glenn L. Pace
Wayward Children
We too must have the faith to teach our children and bid them to keep the commandments. We would not let their choices weaken our faith. Our worthiness will not be measured according to their righteousness. Lehi did not lose the blessing of feasting at the tree of life because Laman and Lemuel refused to partake of its fruit. Sometimes as parents we feel we have failed when our children make mistakes or stray. Parents are never failures when they do their best to love, teach, pray, and care for their children. Their faith, prayers, and efforts will be consecrated to the good of their children. Robert D. Hales
In some cases parents are desperately trying to bring back some in their family who have wandered. I am confident that there will be, increasingly, a reward given by God for their efforts. Those who never give up will find that God never gave up and that He will help them. Henry B. Eyring
Let the father and mother, who are members of this Church and kingdom, take a righteous course, and strive with all their might never to do a wrong, but to do good all their lives; if they have one child or one hundred children, if they conduct themselves towards them as they should, binding them to the Lord by their faith and prayers, I care not where those children go, they are bound up to their parents by an everlasting tie, and no power on earth or hell can separate them from their parents in eternity; they will return again to the fountain from whence they sprang. Brigham Young
Pondering the Things of God
The things of God are of deep import; time and experience and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Joseph Smith
Pondering and meditation are forms of sacred devotion quiet and effective moments by which man draws near to the infinite and is made a partaker of the things of God. Robert L. Millet
Nephi had a great desire to know and see the things of the Lord like his father Lehi. He believed that "He that diligently seeketh shall find and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them by the power of the Holy Ghost." He was given the interpretation of the symbols in Lehi's Dream and he learned of the condescension of God.
Bruce R. McConkie explained: "The condenscension of God (meaning the Father) consists in the fact that though he is an exalted, perfected, glorified Personage, he became the personal and literal Father of a mortal Offspring born of mortal woman. And the condescension of God (meaning the Son) consists in the fact that though he himself is the Lord Omnipotent, the very Being who created the earth and all things that in it are, yet being born of mortal woman, be submitted to all the trials of mortality, suffering 'temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer except it be unto death', finally being put to death in a most ignominious manner. There was only one Christ and there is only one Mary. Each was noble and great in preexistence, and each was foreordained to the ministry he or she performed. We cannot but think that the Father would choose the greatest female spirit to be the mother of his Son, even as he chose the male spirit like unto him to be the Savior." Bruce R. McConkie
How is it that John was considered one of the greatest prophets? First. He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust committed to him before or since? No man. Secondly. He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory? Thirdly. John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. Joseph Smith
The baptismal covenant clearly contemplates a future event or events and looks forward to the temple. As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple. As we partake of the sacrament, we look to the temple. We pledge to always remember the Savior and to keep His commandments as prepration to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple and receive the highest blessings available through the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, in the ordinances of the holy temple we more completely and fully take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. David A. Bednar
The Son of God condescended from his throne on high to come to the earth in order to serve all mankind, but even more to sacrifice and consecrate all that he had to his Father and to each of us in need of spiritual and physical deliverance. Jesus went to the sick, afflicted, diseased, and possessed, and he delivered them from their various forms of suffering. He delivers us from the sting of the grave and from the pains of sin, affliction, temptation, and sickness. His example establishes that if he who is our Lord and our King would descend from his place of glory and honor and would condescend to be judged and crucified by us, all in order to serve and save us, we should be willing to do the same for our fellowmen. Part of the mark of discipleship is that we look beyond the outward appearance and serve in a similar manner as the Savior served us. D Mick Smith
Death has come to be the universal heritage--come it must as Satan knows and in this knowledge is his present, but temporary triumph. But the purposes of God, as they ever have been and ever shall be, are infinitely superior to the deepest designs of men or devils. The atonement to be wrought by Jesus Christ was ordained to overcome death and to provide a means of ransom from the power of Satan. James E. Talmage
To the thoughtful follower of Christ, it is a matter of surpassing wonder that the voluntary and merciful sacrifice of a single being could satisfy the infinite and eternal demands of Justice and atone for every human misdeed. But I testify that is exactly what Christ did for every one of us. I bear solemn witness that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the compassionate foundation and central fact in God's eternal plan for our salvation and our happiness. Christ, the greatest of all, partook of the bitter cup and did not shrink, that we might not suffer if we would repent and come unto Him. I declare my wonder and awe, my adoration and Apostolic witness of Him. Jeffrey R. Holland
