Tree of Life & Darkness and Light

The Tree of Life & Light and Darkness

With a major focus on Lehi’s Dream

Also Adam & Eve, Alma's Discourse

By Jeffrey A. Bushman   1 Dec. 2016

          Most of us are aware of the story of the dream Lehi had about the tree of life in 1 Nephi 8.  It outlines how Lehi found his way to the tree and then looked about for his family and wanted them to enjoy the fruit also.  Part of his family came but Laman and Lemuel refused to hearken to his voice.  Later he saw a   narrow path with a rod of iron leading to the tree of life, and saw different groups of people who started to follow the path and what happened to them.  Some didn’t reach the rod of iron, some made it to the rod which lead to the tree but let go of the rod and were lost.  Later he saw some hold to the rod and make it to the tree, but later some people in a large and spacious building were mocking them and they became ashamed and fell away and were lost.  Finally some made it to the tree and partook of the fruit and remained faithful and received the blessing.  There was a gulf between the tree and the spacious building which separated those eating the fruit from those mocking them.  He also saw a field represent the world.  Later in the book of 1 Nephi, chapters 11-15 add what Nephi learned as he saw a similar vision.

Light vs Darkness

       John 12:45  46 I am come a light into the world that whosever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

There has been much written about this vision, but for now I would like to go through it again and focus on the imagery of light and darkness as it relates to this experience, along with two other experiences with the tree of life related in the scriptures in Genesis 3 Adam and Eve, and then in Alma 32:26-43

Starting in 1 Nephi 8

 2 And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision. Lehi calls his dream, a vision, something designed by God to give him and others added light.

 3 And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved. He is allowed to see the future

 4 But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, me thought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness. He fears that they will be lost in the darkness and be lost to the light.

 5 And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me. White represents good, truth and light, and robes in scripture imagery represents the priesthood.  This messenger is sent from God having authority to represent him.   The messenger is someone that is sent to give light or truth.

 6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.  To gain any new understanding it is important to follow him who has been sent.

 7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. As Lehi follows him the first thing he learns is that in reality this world is covered in darkness or because of the fall of Adam all have become carnal and are surrounded by spiritual darkness, and have been cut off from the presence of God making this world a dark and dreary waste. Also all have fallen by committing sin ourselves, serving the creature and not the creator.   Because of this fall, or being cut off from God, Paul the Apostle describes what conditions exist in mortality 1 Cor. 2:11-14 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Mankind is in the dark and cannot see the light or the things of God without intervention by the spirit of the Lord. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.  God our father has instituted a way for us to be lead to the light, then letting that light awaken, in us the reality of God and his plan. As we see the light we realize that we can continue to gain more light until we see as God sees.  D&C 88:6-13 talks about all the ways that Christ is the light of the world and what that light can do, but in verse 11 he describes how his light gives us understanding.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. God can never be found out by the knowledge or intellect of the world but has to come from God himself, giving us more light than the world has to see what God is doing for us.

 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  But if a person rejects the light of Christ and choses to remain in darkness he will not see and understand those things that come from God, in fact he will claim that they are utterly ridiculous. It seems that sin makes or keeps us ignorant to the things of God.

 8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.  Lehi, after traveling many hours, realizes that he will remain in this darkness unless he turns to the Lord who has the power to help him see what is really going on around him.  He wants to understand what God is doing.  Nephi taught this in 2Nephi 32:4  Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.  Lehi has turned to the Lord to receive light and truth.  Later in Chapter 11:1-5 Nephi has listened to his father and believed him and then he turns to the Lord the same way his father did.

9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field. Once he turns to God through prayer, he starts to see things that he had not seen before.  Jesus taught: …I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  John 8:12  Once you follow someone who has been sent to give you light, you have to act upon it by following what you have been taught and learn from the Lord through his spirit the beauties of God’s gospel plan. Nephi is taught by his father who is the Lord’s prophet and follows his counsel.

 10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.  Lehi is starting to see much more in the light and the Lord is increasing his understanding.  Nephi in chapter 11:8 of 1^st Nephi describes a tree that is like unto the one his father saw.  It is interesting to me that he says like unto and not the same one.

 11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. Lehi had to do something and not just believe, he had to partake, he then sees, or learns, more about the fruit than from just physical sight. We later learn from Nephi in chapter 11:22, that this tree is symbolic of the love of God that he shows forth to the world through the birth, life and atonement of his son Jesus Christ, designed to make His plan of happiness work for any of God’s children who have a desire to see these things and also partake. In 1 Nephi 15:22 Nephi says the tree is a representation of the tree of life.  Also the Lord use of a white fruit shows that it is without any darkness.

 12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. The plan of Heavenly Father when understood through the spirit will bring the greatest joy, appreciation and happiness to our lives, as we learn we are his children and he has a plan that will direct us how and by what means we can gain eternal life.  See 1 Nephi 11:13-33 for Nephi’s description of the tree.  We also see that Lehi has a great desire that those he cares about are brought to the tree to also partake.  This is like the experience many new converts go through when they learn the plan, they have a great desire to help those they love come and enjoy this same experience. Also Nephi in 1 Nephi 15:21-36 is explaining the dream to his brothers hoping they will turn to the Lord and find out for themselves.  In 1 Nephi 15:11 Nephi explains it this way, “If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me (God) in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping his commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.”

 13 And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit. As he looks for his family he sees a river of water and Nephi in 1 Nephi 15:27-30 has learned what the river represents, that being filthiness and also it being an awful gulf that separates the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. He then goes on to say it represents that hell that was prepared for the wicked. Later in V 35 he tells us that the Devil is the one who prepares it for the wicked.

 14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go. Here Lehi sees some of his family that are trying to follow the Lord and he can see that they can’t see the tree or where they should go.  They were in the same darkness he had been in.

 15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. Lehi then becomes the messenger to his family to teach them that there is something they can’t yet see that will bring great joy and happiness into their lives.  I don’t know if they saw him, but he had to call them in a loud voice for them to respond.

 16 And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.  They followed his voice and received the same blessings.  Now they could see and understand things that previously had been hidden from them.

 17 And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them. Like the rest of the family they were at the head of the river and will have to make a choice.  I will talk later about the choice they will make and the consequences.

 18 And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit. I am sure they could hear his voice but refused to follow his counsel.  Sounds like many people today who want nothing to do with what the Lord is offering through his people.

 19 And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. In 1 Nephi 15:23-24 Nephi explains what the rod of iron was symbolic of; 24 And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken to the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. Blindness is another word for darkness, meaning they don’t have the light from the Lord that opens their understanding and allows them to see.  I am sure the Devil has to keep them in the dark for if they saw what was in store for those who follow him, they would turn and go the other way.  But the promise from the Lord is this; if you do what the word of God tells you and continue to gain light and truth through the words of God, you can never be taken down and be destroyed or deceived by Satan the prince of darkness.

 20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. Matthew records the words of the Savior about strait and narrow, in Matt. 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. This is the path we have to follow to gain Celestial glory and it is hard to find since all start out  in darkness, requiring us to turn to the Lord and ask for help to see.  Also in 1 Nephi 11:25 Nephi says this about this path.  … I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.  In this dream water is used symbolically with two meanings.  1^st living water that Christ told the woman at the well would make it so you won’t thirst again, this is shown here by Nephi as the living water and 2^nd in the dream water is depicted as the river of filthy water representing the temptations, trials and the depths of hell that come from Satan which can destroy the soul or the light in each person.  It seems also in this verse that the rod runs along this path helping those who want to stay on the path, the assurance they are on the right path.

 21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood. Since all men are born with the light of Christ, which light lets you see the difference between good and evil and it is designed to lead you to the further light the Lord would like you to enjoy.  Many people in the dream were interested in having the fruit and so they pressed forward trying to find the path. Also Christ’s parable about the sower in Matt. 13:1-23 seems be show these same points, using different imagery.

 22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. Many in mortality feel a need to believe in God and so they make some effort.

 23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.  Satan seeks to destroy God’s children and take away any light and truth that they might possess or gain from being on the path.  Nephi in 1 Nephi 12:17 gives us more information about the mists     And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads that they perish and are lost.  Joseph Smith recorded this same idea in D&C 93:39  And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the traditions of their fathers.  Lehi here tells us that they lost their way and were lost, and wandered off because they had chosen not to use the rod of Iron designed to give them light and help them realize where the path is and how to stay on.  It is like people who like the idea of Christ but feel it takes no efforts on their part, and they are blinded by Satan and lose light and wander from the path and are lost. An example of broad roads they follow is that it doesn’t matter what we believe and do, for we will all be saved in the end, and thus they have become victims of the filthy water which fills them with darkness and despair.

 24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. These are doing things the way the Lord intends all of God’s children to do.  As they held the rod they could tell that the mists of darkness were trying to divert them from the path, but they could see the foolishness of so doing.  In Hel. 3:29 Mormon is teaching a principle given during this history of the Nephites about reading and studying the scriptures and their effect on the reader.  Yea, we see that whosever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ is a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked. Those who read or ‘feast’ on the word of God are like a person coming into a room filled with traps from the Devil but the light is so strong that there is no trap or snare that they cannot see and they only become entrapped if they chose to step into one.  They have to make a conscience effort to sin, and go against the light and knowledge they have.  Also in 2 Nephi 32:3 we are taught “that the words of Christ will tell you all that you must do”,  in order for us and anyone else to remain on the path.  We have to do things the Lord reveals to us.  Christ taught in Matt. 7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdoms of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  We have to hold to the rod to get to the tree.

 25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.  Once an individual experiences the Love of God or the fruit of the tree, the journey is not over.  I will explain this more after verse 28.

 26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth. This large and spacious building and a gulf that separates it from the tree is explained in 1 Nephi 12:18  And the large and  spacious building, which my father saw, is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men.  And a great and a terrible gulf divideth them; yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God. . . .. Later in 1 Nephi 15:28-29 Nephi tells them the gulf separates the wicked from the tree of life and also the saints of God.  It also represents that hell prepared for the wicked which in v 35 he says this hell is prepared by the Devil. This gulf also represents the justice of God which did divide the wicked from the righteous. The brightness of this justice was like unto a flaming fire that ascendeth up unto God forever.  This gulf may be mentioned in Luke 16:26 where the Lord describes the gulf in the spirit world that separates the rich man from Lazarus, which is also referring to the justice of God.  The Lord states when the Rich man asked to have someone sent to his brothers to warn them, that if they won’t listen to the words of the prophets they wouldn’t listen even if one were sent from the dead.  The words of the prophets when written or spoken to us are the scriptures, which we need to hold fast, to really see the way.

 27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. This building has been compared to the pride of the world, people thinking they are better than others not really having a firm foundation to base this assumption.  In this building according to 1 Nephi 13:7-8 Nephi sees that the Devil is the foundation or founder of the building and he says the angel taught him: Behold the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and scarlets, and fine-twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots, are the desires are the desires of this great and abominable church.  Here it is called a church because it is what the inhabitants worship.  They cannot see or understand the things of the Lord, for as Paul said they are foolishness to them. They are concerned about gaining wealth, and the finest things available on the earth. The precious clothing is an interesting term, my wife said may be it is precious because it is a counterfeit of temple clothing, symbolic of the right to rule or officiate in authority and witness of our intents to follow the Lord.  The wicked have a great desire to make others believe only what they want and to have the power to destroy you if you won’t follow them.  Finally it talks about the harlots, which means that they are full of immoral acts and desires. Isaiah describes their motives in;  Isaiah 5:20  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.

Ether 8:16  And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.

 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. These are members of the church both new converts and members of long established families in the gospel, who when they hear and learn about the gospel, receive it with joy.  They know the gospel is designed for their good but when the trials and temptations from those who don’t believe, who look and act so cool, make fun of them for what they believe,  they become ashamed and become more intrigued about participating with what is going on in the spacious building with it cool music, glamour and self-absorption.  They start to doubt and start to skip scripture study and prayer which had allowed the spirit to confirm those things, they had before accepted as truth.  The gospel looks too difficult to live and the claims of the world they accept without going to God’s word in scripture and prayer. You have to hold onto the rod until you leave this life or you will wander off the path and become lost.  The more they doubt the more darkness replaces the light and soon they think that others members are foolish and are being deceived by others in the church, and many times start to mock the faithful.  At this point they have become blind to the things of the Lord far worse than before they started out on the path originally.

  29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.  There was a lot more in the vision than Nephi is telling us.  But in chapters 11-15, Nephi tell us actual people the Lord had shown him by vision that fit into these various groups of people.

 30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.   Alma 5:7    Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God.  Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word…. They held on to the rod, it representing the word of God.

This final group shows that they wanted to do what was right.  They were pressing forward showing that they had enough light from the Lord to know what was good and evil and were choosing to do the good.  They recognized the scriptures as coming from God and did press forward learning and applying what they read and experienced and thus gained more light and knowledge, increasing their desire to move forward. They also had a desire to gain more from the Lord and to do his will by continually holding fast, not just reading but holding fast or applying which allowed the Lord to give them light through the spirit. (Look back at 1 Cor. 2:11-14) They continued this process and had gained enough light and understanding to realize the great blessing Christ had provided for them in the atonement, making the way possible to gain eternal life.  This was the prize they could see was available to any who would follow Christ and his teachings.  This had become the desire of their enlightened heart as well as mind.  The cared not about the foolishness of the world for they knew that it was Satan way of blinding and binding those who chose to remain in their carnal state until he chained them down to destruction.

This is demonstrated in the experience that Ammon and his brothers had in bringing many of the Lamanites to the Lord. In speaking of this Ammon stated; Alma 26:14-15 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell. 15 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love... The whole purpose of the Atonement was to loose the chains of hell as we followed that light we knew showed us good from evil and prepared our hearts to seek out more light and truth by obedience to those things the spirit prompted us to do.  A few who were in bondage to Satan realized their life was without happiness and progress as messengers were sent by the Lord to teach them using the words of the prophets to bring light and life into their lives as the applied them in their lives and gained more light and truth.  D&C 93: 26-40 is really good at explaining why some gain light and why some lose light and the consequences of obedience or disobedience

 31 And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building. Proverbs 4:19   The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.  Verse 31 is a very interesting verse as it relates to light.  It seems that this group, who had rejected the path to the tree, were in darkness and couldn’t see the building or the tree.  They were feeling their way which has a double meaning to me.  1^st the way they went after the things of the world is to do those things that feel good to the natural or carnal man and are based on pride.  2^nd Since they couldn’t see the building, or the consequences of obtaining the building, according to verses already used, they would be brought into bondage by Satan as they served him or the creature, and he would encircle them with the chains of hell. They would be in his power, and  I am sure if they could truly see the end results they would not knowingly take that path.  Satan is the great deceiver.  You need light to see his traps, as Isaiah recorded;  Isaiah 59:8-10   The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.  Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us; we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.  We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.

 32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads. The depths of the fountain or river of filthy water and their actions brought upon them spiritual death.  Lehi was not given enough light from the Lord to see what specific consequences happened to them.  He did know that they had left the Lord and Satan had power over them.

 33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not. The vast majority, seem to reject the tree and chose the large spacious building.  These following verses seem to explain their motive for their choice.   D&C 121:34-35  There are many are called, but few are chosen.  And why are they not chosen?  Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and they aspire to the honors of men. . . Once they became part of those in the building they felt compelled to join those around them in finding fault with those who chose the path and the tree.  Not having any light to see and understand what motivated those who were righteous, they thought they were just stupid and ignorant, the very sins that they themselves were guilty of.  But those who had remained faithful to the Lord refused to be swayed because they knew the Lord and his plan.  They chose true freedom, light and liberty as well as eternal glory instead of momentary pleasure that didn’t create true happiness.

 34 These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away. We need to remember that who we choose to follow, either the Lord or the Devil, we will receive the just dues from our master, and Satan rewardeth no good thing.

 35 And Laman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father.

 36 And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord. In 1 Nephi 15:36 Nephi talking about this vision states that  the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits: yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God.   D&C 14:7 helps explain why it is the greatest gift.  And, if ye keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.

 37 And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them. As a good parent Lehi did all that he could to get his family to choose the Lord.

 38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them. Lehi was expressing the same things that Jesus taught;   John 12:35 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you.  Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.  If you read 1 Nephi 11-15, Nephi will tell you who each group is, recorded in the vision, using the people of his time period.  He told us that as the house of Israel rejected Christ that they fought against those partaking of the fruit.  We need to apply this to those of our day.  Many new converts need to know that mists of darkness will come their way after baptism and that in order to survive they need continue in mighty prayer and reading of the scriptures and the time will come when they will see with a great brightness the way they should go.  We have to stay vigilant throughout our whole life.  I used to think that the gospel and God’s plan is so easy to understand that anyone could comprehend it, but I have learned that those who reject the light, just think you are crazy and that you are stupid to believe such things.

Acts 26:18 Why Jesus came here; “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

1 John1:5-6  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.

The Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden

Recorded in Genesis 3 and Moses

The tree of life, planted for Adam and Eve, can have the same imagery as in Lehi’s dream.  It represents the love of God, for Adam and Eve dwelt in the presence of God and his son, and enjoyed their companionship after their being placed in the Garden of Eden. They had not experienced spiritual death, or being cut off from God’s presence until they ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  The tree of life is a symbolic tree, but one that they symbolically could eat each day since they walked and talked with God and Christ and enjoyed their love and companionship. 

Once Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the symbolic tree of knowledge of good and evil, they transgressed a law and were going to be driven out of the garden, thus being cut off from the presence of God, or in other words suffering spiritual death.  One thing in this account that many don’t notice was that Adam and Eve were progressing in light and truth, for after they eaten this fruit they could now see clearly whether things were good or bad.  They had been enlightened and knew things now that they hadn’t known before.  Once they had eaten the fruit, God sent them out of the Garden of Eden into a fallen mortal state, and he said that he did it lest they put forth their hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.  He then places Cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.  (Gen. 3:22-24)  We learn that because they had fallen, God didn’t want them to eat of the tree of life and live forever in their fallen state.  If they had eaten from the tree of life they would have lived forever, but not in God’s presence.  He wants us to know that when we are in mortality we just can’t say I believe and then live with God forever in our sins.  He does, however, state now that they had eaten the first fruit that they had become like him in knowing good from evil which was a good thing.  He now wanted them to overcome the natural man through obedience to his commandments, then being born again by the spirit of the Holy Ghost, and be redeemed from that spiritual death they would suffer by being cast out of God’s presence.  Later as Adam is offering sacrifices to God, he is visited by an angel who asks why he is offering these sacrifices and he replies, I am only doing it because God asked me too, and I am keeping his commandments.  He then receives more light as he is taught about the atonement of Christ and of God’s great love for him, and his plan to help Adam learn more about him through the Holy Ghost, which fell upon him as recorded in Moses 5:9.  He then has his eyes of his understanding opened and learns things from God that the natural man cannot understand unless he turns to the Lord and follow his commandments.  Adam therefore goes through the same process as Lehi and Nephi went through to gain their spiritual knowledge unseen by the world.  Adam was taught through messengers from God since there were no scriptures from earlier prophets.

The main thing I take from this story is that natural man can’t just say I believe in God, but they have to show their acceptance of turning to the Lord by following those things that show we really are sincere.  In Matt. 7:21 Christ taught this same doctrine when he said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”. Later on we learn from D&C 107:53-55 that 3 years before Adam died, the righteous of his descendants were holding a council in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman when Christ appeared while  Adam was  bestowing upon his family his last father’s blessing.  During this event of having Christ appear they felt impressed to bless Adam by calling him Michael the archangel, and Christ told Adam that he would be a prince over his family forever.  What greater light Adam received, as he again partook of the fruit of the tree of life, to be enjoyed forever.

Tree of Life in Alma 32

In this next experience with the tree of life, you should find that the process of going from darkness to light is a process as described earlier in the first two accounts.  I will not give as much interpretation on darkness to light, so you can find much on your own.

 27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words (the scriptures), and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.  As you consider the options of studying the word or not and if you would like to know if they are from God you have to approach the word with a desire to know if what they say is really true.

 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Instead of the word compared to a rod of iron, here it is compared to a seed you have to plant in your heart.  You cannot plant it in someone else’s heart, only in your own.  Now that you have decided ponder and study God’s word he will start to reveal the truth by the Holy Ghost which will affect how you feel inside and it starts to open your understanding, bring you more light.

 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.  You will start to realize these are good words, but there is still much to experience with this seed.

 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. 

 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.  Since it is a living seed that enlightens you, you can expect more from it for a good seed brings forth more good as it grows.

 32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.  If you get nothing from the seed after giving it a chance to grow, you will realize it is dead and has no life and is good only to be cast out of your life.

 33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

 34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. You are having more thoughts of good enter into your life and a desire to learn more because it is inspiring to think of good.

 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?  Remember light allows you to see things which before were only darkness to you.

 36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.  Only you have planted and know it is good, it is necessary for you to allow this seed to produce fruit.

 37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.  Notice the seed is a seed of a tree.  You also have a responsibility to take care of this tender plant so it can get root in your heart and bear fruit that will be more delicious that just knowing the seed was good.

 38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. If it starts to grow and then you do nothing it will die.   Since it is not yet established in your heart, the cares of the world and the temptations may cause you to disregard the seed and let it die and remove it from your heart.

 39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.  If you want the joy of eternal life, it takes effort on your part.  God will provide the way, the seed, but you have to take care of it once it has sprouted.

 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.  As we follow God’s counsel from his word and act upon it, doing what he asks then he will help us gain life eternal.  The seed or his grace, will take effect in our hearts as we allow it to grow to maturity.  We only provide the ground that will let the fruit develop in our life.

 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. 

 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you. 

These three accounts of the tree of life teach the same story or doctrine about how we as mortals need the Lord to reveal to light and truth until we can see things that the natural man has no idea, and no intellect able to comprehend what the Lord is saying until they call on him and keep his commandments until he gives us enough light to see as he sees.  Or we can chose to think that the intellect of man is so great that we do not need God not knowing that we are blind to the things of God without following his path designed to give us light, allowing us to see what to most is darkness.

To summarize, I will finish by using;         D&C 78:17-20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and have not as yet understood how great

blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you.

And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.  The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even a hundred fold, yea, more.

Wherefore, do the things which I have commanded you, saith your redeemer, even the son Ahman, who prepareth all things before he taketh you;