A Running Discussion on the Tree of Life vision: The Tree

Nephi starts his account with the viewing of the tree [end It is interesting to note that Lehi’s dream started with him in the wasteland. or “a dark and dreary wilderness” Lehi needed a guide, he needed the spirit to come to him to bring him out of obscurity. Nephi started with viewing the tree. Perhaps that is because Nephi already knew a bit of the Love of Christ. Perhaps his father going through the “dreary wilderness” spared Nephi from needing to (both in the dream, and in his real life) ]

“...and the beauty thereof was far beyond, yea, exceeding of all beauty; and the whiteness thereof did exceed the whiteness of the driven snow.” (1 Nephi 11:8)

Being shown the tree Nephi asks to be shown the interpretation of the dream. In response he gets something very unusual. He is shown “...a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins.” (1 Nephi 11:15) The spirit of the Lord then asks a peculiar question of Nephi “...Knowest thou the condescension of God?” (1 Nephi 11:16) Nephi’s response is both eloquent and honest. “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless. I do not know the meaning of all things.” (1 Nephi 11:17) Nephi is in essence is saying I know that he did something because he loves his children but I do not understand why or what? Or he understood why he did it, he just did not know why it was necessary and what exactly it was. The spirit than expands the vision to show the virgin Mary holding the Christ child in her arms and exclaims triumphantly “Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!” (1 Nephi 11:21) The spirit asks again “Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?” (1 Nephi 11:21) Nephi having been shown the son of God condescending to be born of mortal women gives his powerful answer “...Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.” (1 Nephi 11:22) The sprit in response “Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.” (1 Nephi 11:23) Now let us here state the obvious again. The Tree of life represents the love of God for us. So often you hear people try to add to what the tree means. “Oh it means eternal life”, or “Oh it is symbolic of the celestial kingdom” or “Oh it is the equivalent of having your calling and election made sure.” All of that dilutes the true message of the tree. It is the Love of God, and that is one of the greatest gifts we can possibly enjoy. Moroni taught about this very same thing when he said:

“And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of they father” (Ether 12:34).

So again the tree of life represents His love for us, which is charity, the fruit most desirable above all things, and the most joyous to the soul. Let us be clear: Charity is Gods love for us, not our love for him. [end Elder McConkies definition of charity is as follows: “Above all the attributes of godliness and perfection, charity is the one most devoutly to be desired. Charity is more than love, far more; it is everlasting love, perfect love, the pure love of Christ which endureth forever. It is love so centered in righteousness that the possessor has no aim or desire except for the eternal welfare of his own soul and for the souls of those around him. (McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:378) ] Charity is a gift of the spirit. It is bestowed as a result of personal righteousness. So perhaps it would be more correct to call it a reward of the spirit. When one obtains a full measure of charity they have become like him, they see him as he is, and are pure even as he is pure. To be instilled with the full measure of charity is to be instilled with the divine attributes of perfectness and peace.

“Wherefore my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled this love [charity] which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.” (Moroni 7:48)

Having shown the tree in this light it makes sense that it is the most desirable, the most joyous, and the thing we should seek after with single-mindedness. The bestowal of such a blessing of this is the glorious conclusion. “And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.” (D&C 88:125) We cannot be exalted without this divine bestowal. It is essential to our spiritual journey. “Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope; there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye be saved if ye have not hope.” (Moroni 10:20-21) Charity like all things does not come all at once it is something that must be grown upon “I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, we have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.” (2 Nephi 28:30) Our charity increases as we grow spiritually. I think it also important to note here that the tree of life is obtained while in the flesh. Lehi had nothing in his dream that could be thought of as death, the judgement, the resurrection, or anything like that. His dream was to serve as a guide for life, not for death. Lehi in the dream called to his mortal family, most of whom partook, but two of his sons did not. That was also true in the real world as well. Most of Lehi’s family partook of this most desirable fruit while in the flesh, but his two rebellious sons choose not to there as well. Since it has been shown that Charity is not only the most desirable and most joyous gift but essential to our exaltation the question can reasonably be asked. “How do I obtain this great gift?” This is this question that the tree of life vision answers. Learn the truths of the tree of life, and more importantly live them and you will obtain this great gift, you will partake in the joy that charity brings to the righteous. However to do this we must understand the vision.