Tree of life vision

The Tree of life vision is a vision recounted in the Book of Mormon that was received by the prophet Lehi, and later by his son Nephi who wrote about it in the First Book of Nephi. The vision symbolizes the spiritual plight of mankind, and is a well known and cited story within Mormonism. One commentator stated that the vision is "one of the richest, most flexible, and far-reaching pieces of symbolic prophecy contained in the standard works." [Corbin T. Volluz, "Lehi's Dream of the Tree of Life: Springboard to Prophecy," JBMS 2/2 (1993): 38. - as quoted in Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life: Understanding the Dream as Visionary Literature, Charles Swift, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 2005. P. 52–63 - online version at [http://farms.byu.edu/display.php?table=jbms&id=378] ]

ynopsis

According to the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi received this vision in a dream during his exile in the wilderness. He awoke and recounted it to his children as described in the 8th chapter of the First Book of Nephi. According to the Book of Mormon chronology, this vision occurred between 600 and 592 B.C.Fact|date=June 2008 Lehi's son Nephi, recorded the vision on the golden plates, and later had the same vision, albeit a more detailed version, which he records later in the same book. [See 1 Nephi chapters 11 - 14] Nephi's vision also included an interpretation of the vision.

In the vision, Lehi related that he saw several objects, including the following:
#A tree with white fruit [1 Nephi 8:10-12] , symbolizing the Love of God, and by extension, the Atonement of Jesus. [1 Nephi 11:21-23]
#A strait and narrow path [1 Nephi 8:20] , symbolizing the path to salvation.Fact|date=June 2008
#A rod of iron which runs along the path [1 Nephi 8:19] , symbolizing the "word of God". [1 Nephi 11:25]
#A mist of darkness [1 Nephi 8:23] , symbolizing the temptations of the Devil. [1 Nephi 12:17]
#A great and spacious building [1 Nephi 8:26-27] , symbolizing the pride of the world. [1 Nephi 11:36]

Lehi sees in the vision that his sons Sam and Nephi, and his wife Sariah partake of the white fruit, indicating that they will be saved. [1 Nephi 8:14-16] He sees that his sons Laman and Lemuel do not partake of the fruit. [1 Nephi 8:14-16]

Contributions and importance to Mormonism

The story of the vision is well known among Mormons, and is widely cited. The "rod of iron" specifically is mentioned often referring to the scriptures or the words of the prophet, in order to convey the importance of heeding his teachings.Fact|date=June 2008

Izapa Stela 5

Some Mormon scholars, including Jakeman, believe that Izapa Stela 5, an ancient stela found in ancient Mesoamerica in the 1930s, is a depiction of this vision.Fact|date=June 2008 Mainstream Mesoamerican scholars do not support linking Izapa Stela 5 to the Book of Mormon. Julia Guernsey Kappelman, author of a definitive work on Izapan culture, finds that Jakeman's research "belies an obvious religious agenda that ignored Izapa Stela 5's heritage". [Guernsey, p. 53.]

Notes

References

* (2006) "Ritual and Power in Stone: The Performance of Rulership in Mesoamerican Izapan Style Art", University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas, ISBN 978-0292713239.
*aut|Guernsey Kappelman, Julia; [http://www.utexas.edu/cofa/a_ah/dir/precol/izapa.htm Izapa (Precolumbian Art and Art History)"] , accessed December 2007.

See also

* Archaeology and the Book of Mormon
* Lehi
* Nephi
* Tree of life concept