1 Nephi 8

“And as I partook of the fruit therof it filled my sould with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also…” (1 Nephi 8:12)

v. 1: You know, the parallels between this and the exodus from Egypt are very interesting. They apparently gathered seeds as they went or brought some with them from Jerusalem (or both), but they did not use them in the Wilderness. Nephi tells us later (1 Nephi 17:2-4) that the Lord provided for their needs, allowing them to survive off of raw meat. Perhaps they would have had time to plant and harvest some (after all, they wandered in the wilderness for eight years before they even got around to building boats) but it seems as if they lived off of hunting.

v. 2-4: Lehi has yet another dream, or, night vision. It is clear that it is a highly symbolic dream, from which Lehi learns much of life in general, but also specifics about the future of his family. The thing about this vision which is sometimes confusing but really awesome is that it appears to be a mix of both symbols and reality. This becomes much clearer in chapter 11 when Nephi is shown the same vision but gives a lot in the way of interpretation. It may be that Lehi retold the vision in symbolic terms. But the most likely answer is that Nephi only recorded the most important symbols as he is summarizing (see v. 29).

v. 5-9: So here’s the thing: apparently Lehi and his family did not follow the iron rod in order to get to the tree of life. Lehi was led by an angel and Lehi lead his family. Now don’t get confused, there’s only one way to Salvation, and that is Jesus Christ (the tree of life). But people find their way to Christ in many different ways: some are led by revelation, even angels, as Lehi; Some are led by family members; and others must grope in the darkness and find their way alone.

v. 10-11: The tree of life represents Jesus Christ (see chapter 11) and partaking of the fruit represents eternal life. I LOVE all the tree symbolism in the scriptures. It may be a little nerdy, but I think it’s great. This is a particularly interesting symbol because the tree is representing Jesus Christ, but there is also apparently a literal tree of life, such as in the Garden of Eden and the one mentioned in the book of Revelation.

v. 12: Once you get a taste of eternal life, you can’t but help want to share it with others.

v. 13-18: Lehi beckons to his family to come partake of the fruit but Laman and Lemuel will not.

v. 19-20: The iron rod (representing the word of God) runs along a straight and narrow path (sound familiar, anyone?) leading to the tree of life. I like this, because you don’t just have to try and follow the path, you have something to hold on to while you go. You don’t have to stare at the ground the whole time, and if your vision becomes obscured, if you can’t see the way, you can still go forward.

v. 21-22: This continues my train of thought surrounding v. 5-9: Lehi sees “numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led to the tree.” This is so profound I can’t even stand it. It’s hard enough for these people to get to path, let along make it to the tree of life, but the good news is that many are looking! I read into this that many moved in groups for support, for help to find the path. Is that not most people’s problem? What is the truth? What is the path? How different of a place would the world be if everyone knew where to turn for truth? In the end only those who “pressed forward” make it to the rod of iron to begin their journey to Christ.

v. 23: Then the opposition comes. How many millions have gotten started on the right path, only to be discouraged or shaken by the first round of opposition that comes. This is why only the honest seekers of truth are able to gain a testimony, because the others eventually give up, fall away. But here’s the other big truth of this verse: not everybody who fails to make it to the tree of life end up in the great and spacious building: many more are they who wander off and simply become lost.

v. 24-28: It is not enough to cling to the iron rod, you have to follow it, walk the path. The clingers made it to the tree, but then lost their faithfulness and become ashamed while they yet have the taste of the fruit in their mouth. They must not realize the value of what they have just obtained. These, which heeded the scorn of the world, not only wandered off, but “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.” When we reject the truth after having received it we cannot go back to neutral ground, for better or for worse. The consequences of our choices, good and bad, will always stay with us.

v. 30: But there were also many who made it to the tree and were faithful. There were many who sought directly to the great and spacious building (representing the pride of the world) ignoring the tree of life altogether. There were also sadly many who drowned in the depths of the fountain (filthiness- see chapter 15) and still others wandering in strange paths. There may be nothing we can do about those who seek after the great and spacious building, but maybe we can save a few from drowning, you know? Save a few from spending their lives wandering, lost, on strange paths. That’s why we preach the gospel. For them.

v. 37-38: It may be that Laman and Lemuel had more spiritual experiences, heard more prophecy, and felt the love of family and the spirit more than any other wicked people who ever lived. It just goes to show you that you can’t force change, no matter how good you are.