Lesson 4: The Things Which I Saw While I Was Carried Away in the Spirit

• In 1 Nephi 12, Nephi describes his vision of the future of his seed (his descendants) and the seed of his brothers. In what ways did the symbols in the vision of the tree of life (the mist of darkness, the great and spacious building, and the river of filthy water) foreshadow the downfall of Nephi’s seed?
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  What did Nephi see formed “among the nations of the Gentiles”? (See 1 Nephi 13:4–5.) Who is the founder of the great and abominable church? (See 1 Nephi 13:6.)
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  What did the great and abominable church do to the Bible? (See 1 Nephi 13:20–26.) Why? (See 1 Nephi 13:27.) What are some doctrines that are difficult to understand in the Bible but plain and precious in the Book of Mormon? How has the Book of Mormon helped make the Bible more understandable to you or increased your testimony of the Bible?
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  Nephi saw that even though the members of the Lord’s Church in the last days would be comparatively few, they would be able to overcome the persecution of the great and abominable church. What did Nephi see the Saints of God armed with? (See 1 Nephi 14:14.) How can you be “armed with righteousness and with the power of God”?

 

‘Our Lord,’ said Columbus, ‘unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?’ (Jacob Wasserman, Columbus, Don Quixote of the Seas, pp. 19–20.)” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 577).

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Read selected verses from 1 Nephi 12–14 as a family. As you study these chapters, give close attention to Nephi’s prophecies. Suggest that family members mark the prophecies in their scriptures. Make a list of the prophecies that have been fulfilled.

BofM Lesson 3: The Vision of the Tree of Life Resources

Images used in the Power Point Presentation

Additional Reading:

Lehi's Dream by James C. Christensen and Robert Millet

Conference Talk by Sr. Ann Dibb "Hold On"

BYU Devotional Address Boyd K. Packer "Finding Ourselves in Lehi's Dream" 

 

 

Lesson 3: The Vision of the Tree of Life

As you study the account of the vision of the tree of life, watch for the following symbols and their meanings:

• Tree of life (1 Nephi 8:10; 11:8–25)
• Fruit of the tree of life (1 Nephi 8:10–18, 30; 15:36; see also D&C 14:7)
• Rod of iron (1 Nephi 8:19–24, 30; 11:25; 15:23–24)
• Mist of darkness (1 Nephi 8:23–24; 12:17)
• River of filthy water (1 Nephi 8:13, 26, 32; 15:26–29)
• Great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8:26–28, 31, 33; 12:18)

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  When Nephi was shown the tree of life, he asked to know its interpretation (1 Nephi 11:8–11). What did he learn that the tree represents? (See 1 Nephi 11:21–25.) What did Nephi see that helped him better understand God’s love? (See 1 Nephi 11:13–21, 24, 26–33; see also John 3:16.)
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  How did Lehi and Nephi describe the tree of life and its fruit? (See 1 Nephi 8:10–12; 11:8–9, 23; 15:36.)

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  In the vision, Lehi saw “numberless concourses of people” (1 Nephi 8:21). These people can be divided into four categories based on their attitudes toward the tree and the fruit. Read 1 Nephi 8:21–33, and look for these four categories. How are these categories manifest in the world today? In which category do you feel you are?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Conduct the following activity to help family members better understand the vision of the tree of life:

Blindfold a member of the family and spin him or her in circles. Explain that the blindfold represents the mist of darkness. Then place a picture of the Savior somewhere in the room. Challenge the blindfolded family member to walk to the picture without help from anyone. When it becomes apparent that he or she will not be able to walk directly to the picture, have one family member stand by the picture, holding one end of a piece of string (representing the iron rod). Have another family member hold the other end. Then have the blindfolded family member catch hold of the string and walk to the picture.