1 Nephi 8

1 Nephi 8

I am really amazed at the number of visions and dreams that Lehi has. It appears that he doesn’t even write about all of them; or at least Nephi doesn’t write about all of his father’s dreams.

Vs 1
Why did Lehi gather seeds? Was he afraid that the promised land would have what he needed? (It was called the promised land after all, choice above all other lands). Or was this a commandment of the Lord… much like our commandment to have a year’s supply?

Vs. 5
Was the man he saw in the dream the Savior or an angel?

Vs. 6
If it was the Savior and he said “follow me”, was this literal or was this more like Jesus calling the apostles?

Vs. 10
I have a lot of thoughts and questions about this verse. Is this tree the same tree we learn about in the Garden of Eden; The Tree of Life? If its fruit was “desirable to make one happy”, why wouldn’t Laman and Lemuel partake of it? Why didn’t they want to be happy? I have siblings and relatives that won’t partake either. Why won’t they do something so simple if it makes them happy? We learn later on that the fruit of the tree represents the love of God. In light of this, and if it is the same tree found in the Garden of Eden, why was an angel set to guard it from Adam and Eve after the partake of the fruit of the other tree?

Vs 12
Feeling of the love and joy that comes from partaking of the fruit (the love of God), Lehi immediately thinks of his family.

Vs. 14
Our families need our guidance!

Vs 19
The Rod of Iron. We are taught that the Rod of Iron represents the word of God. We are taught to believe that this is the standard works. I have many thoughts on this topic but will share them in a few days when I write about Nephi’s interpretation of the dream.

Vs 20-33
The same holds true for the rest of Lehi’s dream: I will reserve my comments until we are reading Nephi’s interpretation in a few days.

Vs 23
Numberless concourses of people find their way to the path but fall away due to the mist of darkness; they were not yet holding to the rod of iron.

Vs. 24
Some are able to make it through the mist of darkness because they hold fast to the iron rod.

Vs. 25
How could someone be ashamed after they partook of the fruit? We have already learned the fruit is what makes one happy.

Vs. 30
“they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” Did they fall down to worship as if worshiping the Savior or did they fall down out of exhaustion from the journey?

Vs 34
I find this verse a curious one. Why did Nephi see fit to include it?

Vs 37
I can understand exhorting then “with all the feeling of a tender parent.” How many times have we done this with our own children? How many time has my Heavenly Father done this with me?