How Does Lehi’s Dream Apply to You and I?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 1 Nephi 6-10 in a lesson titled “Lehi’s Dream.” The lesson was introduced with the following information. 

Lehi’s dream—with its iron rod, mists of darkness, spacious building, and tree with “most sweet” fruit—is an inspiring invitation to receive the blessings of the Savior’s love and atoning sacrifice. For Lehi, however, this vision was also about his family: “Because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of Nephi and also of Sam. … But behold, Laman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you” (1 Nephi 8:3-4). When Lehi finished describing his vision, he pleaded with Laman and Lemuel to “hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them” (1 Nephi 8:37). Even if you have studied Lehi’s vision many times, this time think about it the way Lehi did—think of someone you love. As you do, the security of the iron rod, the dangers of the spacious building, and the sweetness of the fruit will take on new meaning. And you will understand more deeply “all the feeling of [the] tender parent” who received this remarkable vision.

The principle that I feel prompted to discuss is: “Holding fast to the word of God leads me to the Savior and helps me feel His love” (1 Nephi 8). In 1 Nephi chapter 8, Nephi writes the experience of Lehi’s dream or vision of the tree of life. In the vision, Lehi saw several distinct items: a magnificent tree with fruit (1 Nephi 8:10-12), a river (1 Nephi 8:13), rod of iron

(1 Nephi 8:19-20, 30), mist of darkness (1 Nephi 8:23), and great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8:26-27, 33). Nephi later learns the meaning of each item, but that is the lesson for next week. Here is Lehi’s description of the tree of life.

10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.

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.

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.

Lehi’s vision offers each of us an invitation to examine our individual lives. Where are you (and I) in your (my) personal journey to become like Christ? Elder Boyd K. Packer, then President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught the following about Lehi’s vision:

You may think that Lehi’s dream or vision has no special meaning for you, but it does.

You are in it; all of us are in it (see 1 Nephi 19:23). Lehi’s dream or vision of the iron rod has in it everything a … Latter-day Saint needs to understand the test of life….

Read it carefully; then read it again.

If you hold to the rod, you can feel your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost, conferred upon you at the time you were confirmed a member of the Church. The Holy Ghost will comfort you. You will be able to feel the influence of the angels, as Nephi did, and feel your way through life.

 (“Lehi’s Dream and You,” New Era, Jan. 2015, 2).