All the feeling of a tender parent

Family is a recurring theme throughout the Book of Mormon. There are two particular precepts regarding the family to emphasize in this writing. First, in the Book of Mormon the family encompasses the past, present, and future. Second, righteous parents do not give up on their children, no matter how rebellious, lost, or likely their future rebellion.
The constant concern for past, present, and future family is evidenced from the very start of the book. Following the successful retrieval of the plates of brass from Laban:
Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers. And Laban also was a descendant of Joseph, wherefore he and his fathers had kept the records. And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed— That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed. Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time. And he prophesied many things concerning his seed (1 Nephi 5:16-19.)
Notice how Lehi’s newly found knowledge about his family past resulted in his prophesying about his family future - “his seed.” No doubt this newfound knowledge caused reflection on Lehi’s part as he realized that the only seed he had with him in the wilderness was four sons and the servant Laban, Zoram. The only female in the group was Lehi’s wife, Sariah - nt a formula for a large posterity. It seems reasonable to assume that the obvious limitations on the future of his family worked upon his mind after prophesying about his seed.
Meanwhile, Nephi seems to have had similar feelings for the future of the family. Nephi already knew that his posterity could not be expected to keep the commandments without the scriptures (see 1 Nephi 4:14-17.) Knowing this, following he and his father’s searching of the plates of brass, Nephi writes about his own efforts to write:
For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world. Wherefore, I shall give commandment unto my seed, that they shall not occupy these plates with things which are not of worth unto the children of men (1 Nephi 6:4-6.)
This same multigenerational interest is evidenced in virtually every other account of a Book of Mormon disciple Lehi and Nephi to Mormon and Moroni.
Lehi’s prophesying regarding his seed and subsequent pondering seems to have prepared him for further instruction from the Lord:
after my father, Lehi, had made an end of prophesying concerning his seed, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto him again, saying that it was not meet for him, Lehi, that he should take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife, that they might raise up seed unto the Lord in the land of promise. And it came to pass that the Lord commanded him that I, Nephi, and my brethren, should again return unto the land of Jerusalem, and bring down Ishmael and his family into the wilderness (1 Nephi 7:1-2.)
For the Lord’s purposes to be fulfilled Lehi’s family had to persist far into the future. Therefore, the Lord provided a complementary family with the same number of daughters as Lehi had sons, and one to spare with whom Zoram be a companion. No surprise then that soon these daughters were married and a viable multigenerational family was begun. Interestingly, there is no mention of Lehi’s daughters until after Ishmael’s family joined Lehi’s (see 2 Nephi 5:6.) Could it be that there was already a familial tie between the two families with the daughters of Lehi having married the sons of Ishmael?
Another precept to be derived from the Book of Mormon regarding family is how faithful parents do not give up on wayward children, even when revelation suggests a bleak future for the child. During his dream Lehi was shown that Laman and Lemuel did not partake of the fruit of the tree. However, there is no hint of his giving up on his wayward sons. Instead, we read:
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. 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. 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 (1 Nephi 8:35-38.)
How easy it would have been for Lehi to have said to himself, “Well, no need to try and help Laman and Lemuel. The Lord has shown me their future, and the battle will be lost.” Instead, “he did exhort them when with all the feeling of a tender parent.” What an example to every parent! Again, this same concern for a wayward child is manifest throughout the Book of Mormon.
The precepts for each latter-day disciple are that we have an eternal view of family - past, present, and future - and that we never give up on our children. As I have sought to abide by these precepts they have proven to help me draw closer to God.

Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35.)

Any attempt to answer this question must include considering that the compilers of the book claim to have seen our day. Moroni’s first writing after receiving the plates from his father Mormon includes a rather detailed description of what he had seen of our day:
it shall come in a day when it shall be said that miracles are done away; and it shall come even as if one should speak from the dead.
And it shall come in a day when the blood of saints shall cry unto the Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness.
Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied, and churches become defiled and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts, even to the envying of them who belong to their churches.
Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be heard of fires, and tempests, and vapors of smoke in foreign lands;
And there shall also be heard of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in divers places.
Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be murders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord will uphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.
Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins (Mormon 8:26-32.)
How could Moroni be so specific and certain? The answer is quite simple, “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35.)
“Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing!” What a breathtaking declaration. Nephi is equally direct in explaining why he wrote what he wrote:
And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.
11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.
13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.
14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God,and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.
15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the judgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen (2 Nephi 33:10-15.)
These are stunning claims by two Book of Mormon contributors. They provide a context for pondering everything included in the book. Nephi, Mormon, Moroni and others clearly saw something in our day that caused them to include what they did in the book. Moreover, they felt commanded by Jesus Christ to write what they wrote.
Given this, an important question we could ask ourselves is, “what am I to learn for my profit and learning from what I am currently studying?”

Lehi's dream - numberless concourses and great multitudes

It has been a struggle to sift through the thoughts and feelings that accompany serious searching of Lehi’s dream described in 1 Nephi 8. It has resulted in a life long exploration! However, the focus of this writing is on the “numberless concourses of people” that Lehi saw in his dream, “many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree” (1 Nephi 8:21), as well as “other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building” (1 Nephi 8:31.) There is an interesting footnote for the word “pressing” in 1 Nephi 8:21. The footnote refers to Doctrine and Covenants 123:12:
For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are ​​​blinded​ by the subtle ​​​craftiness​ of men, whereby they lie in wait to ​​​deceive​, and who are only kept from the truth because they ​​​know not​ where to find it—
This insight, combined with what Nephi saw relative to this dream (e.g., 1 Nephi 11-15 and 2 Nephi 25-32), makes it easy to argue that the “numberless concourses of people” and the “other multitudes” in Lehi’s dream encompass the whole of humanity past, present, and future. Throughout history people have sought the path of truth, but have been prevented from finding it because of the subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, craftiness of men that seek to deceive. This dream, therefore, is a timeless representation of the human drama. For our purposes we will focus principally on the choices we all confront during this mortal existence as represented in Lehi’s dream. The dream is about you and me, and everyone else who has lived, or will ever live, in mortality. Therefore, while studying this dream it is useful to ask oneself, “where do I see myself in Lehi’s dream?” Hopefully, the following will help the reader answer such a question.
In his dream, Lehi sees at least four groups of people.
Group One
“And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. 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” (1 Nephi 8:22-23.)
Group Two
“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.  And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. 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. 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. 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” (1 Nephi 8:24-28.)
Group Three
“...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...but we heeded them not” (1 Nephi 8:30, 33.)
Group Four
“...he saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building. 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. 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...For as many as heeded them, had fallen away” (1 Nephi 8:31-34.)
It is useful to understand the interpretation of the symbols in these few verses. We are indebted to Lehi, Lehi’s son Nephi, and others, for an understanding of what many of the symbols mean in this dream:
  • The tree and fruit - After seeing the life and mission of Christ, Nephi was asked by an angel, “Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?” Nephi’s inspired answer was, “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.” Confirming Nephi’s answer, the angel responds, “Yea, and the most joyous to the soul” (1 Nephi 11:21-23.) Later, Nephi adds “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” (1 Nephi 15:36.) The greatest manifestation of God’s love is in the gift of His Son and the joy made possible through Him. The tree and fruit symbolize Christ - his life,mission, atonement, grace, and all else associated with him. The effect of partaking of the fruit of the tree is best described by Lehi himself when he said, “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” (1 Nephi 8:12.)
  • The large and spacious field, as if it had been a world - Lehi’s description provides the meaning of the symbol, “as if it had been a world.” This is a familiar symbol used by the Lord Himself when teaching during his ministry. While explaining the parable of the sower, he taught, “​The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; ​​but the ​​​tares​ are the children of the wicked ​one” (Matthew 13:38.)
  • Commencing in the path leading from the large and spacious field to the tree - Later in his ministry, Nephi explains that “the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive” (2 Nephi 31:17-18.) Therefore, those who obtain the path in Lehi’s dream are not casual disciples. Rather, these are individuals who have repented of sin and been “baptized by water and by fire and by the Holy Ghost.” Having thereby obtained the path, Nephi explains that “ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20.) Hopefully there is no mystery about the meaning of the path leading to the tree - it is the path of discipleship to partake of the love of God - to come unto Christ.
  • Mists of darkness - Nephi explains that “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” (1 Nephi 12:17.)
  • The rod of iron - Nephi explains that the rod of iron “was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto 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.” (1 Nephi 15:23-25.)
  • The great and spacious building filled with people mocking those partaking of the fruit - Nephi was told that “the large and spacious building, which thy 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, and the Messiah who is the Lamb of God, of whom the Holy Ghost beareth record, from the beginning of the world until this time, and from this time henceforth and forever” (1 Nephi 12:18.)
  • River of water - Nephi explains, “that the water which my father saw was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water. And I said unto them that it was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God. And I said unto them that it was a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked” (1 Nephi 15:26-29.)
With these symbols in mind, what are we to learn from these groups of people? While we do not intend to be exhaustive in this writing regarding the symbols and the people with whom they interact, there are a few choices on which turns the future of the people Lehi saw in his dream.
Choice One - Do I seek the tree of life or not?
The heart of the drama in the dream focuses on the choice to seek the tree or not. The polar opposite choice to the tree is to seek the great and spacious building and the companionship and enterprise of its occupants. The tree and the building are divided by a great gulf representing the justice of God. This symbolism suggests we cannot take up residence in both.
However, there are plenty of options whereby we can “do it our way”, whether we are lost wandering in strange, forbidden, or other paths, or drowning in the river of filth, or just staying in the large and spacious field. Remember, the choice to obtain the path is the choice to turn from all other options - to repent and be baptized by both water and fire (2 Nephi 31:17-18) in an effort to find Christ - the love of God - and partake of the joy He offers. This is the choice confronting every soul, every day, that ever experiences mortality.
Unfortunately, as already noted, “there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12.) Deception, both by self and by others, is pervasive throughout the dream.  As a result, multitudes are feeling their way toward the great and spacious building, the “vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men” (1 Nephi 12:19.) What wonderful imagery - feeling our way toward vanity and pride. The variously deceived are overcome by an insatiable thirst for sensation rather than the fruits of the Spirit eloquently enumerated by the Apostle Paul - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23.) Excitement is more enticing than the less popular, but far more enduring, enticings of the Spirit (Mosiah 5:19.)
No doubt the building and its occupants are attractive because of their naturally condescending position (high above the tree looking down on the partakers, and everyone else for that matter), appearance (a great building and exceedingly fine dress), numbers (the spacious building was filled with multitudes entering it), and self declared social superiority (they were mocking those not in the building). In the minds of the occupants they were the force with which all others must reckon - not those surrounding the pitifully lonely tree on the other side of river and gulf on which they looked down. To those in the building there was no way those at the tree could be enjoying themselves as much eating fruit of a tree. No doubt the occupants appeared to be having a great time. But they are living a deception and eventually the building and all its occupants and their interests will fall (see 1 Nephi 11:36.) Unsurprisingly, “a great and a terrible gulf divideth them”, those in the building from those on the path or at the tree, “yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God...” (1 Nephi 12:18.)
This choice of what we seek, moving toward the tree or the building, is not made once, or even a few times. This is the constant choice before us every waking moment of our lives. There are no vacations from this choice. The more often we are conscious of the choice the more frequently we can choose wisely. Otherwise, we become lost. It seems that being lost, in Lehi’s dream, means not being on the path or at the tree partaking of the fruit. This might include wandering off, traveling forbidden paths, drowning in the river, occupying the great and spacious building, or any number of other locations and activities in the dream. The irony is that those who are lost in the dream likely believe they know the way for themselves - they can’t see the “subtle ​​​craftiness​ of men, whereby they lie in wait to ​​​deceive​” (D&C 123:12.) They are blinded and hardened by temptations, adversity, vanity, or pride such that they cannot see “things as they really are” (Jacob 4:13.)Those who are thus blinded and hardened cannot tell what is real and enduring - the love of God, which never failed (see Moroni 7:46-48.)
Choice Two - Do I hold to the rod or not?
Once someone has decided to pursue the path leading to Christ and partake of the joy that accompanies Him, the choice to be made is regarding the rod of iron; will we ignore it, cling to it, or continually hold fast to it. In the dream, those who did not take hold of the rod of iron were confronted with “an exceedingly great mist of darkness” and wandered off and were lost. The symbolism seems rather straightforward - not holding to the rod leaves us vulnerable to the temptations and fiery darts of the adversary and results in our wandering off the path and becoming lost. Why? As already noted, Nephi explains that the rod of iron “was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto 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” (1 Nephi 15:23-25.) The opposite is also true, “whoso would not hearken unto the word of God, and would not hold fast unto it, they would perish; the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.” This is a simple and straightforward message.
For this reason, to help those traveling the path, the rod of iron runs alongside the path with the river of filth on the opposite side. So situated, if we take hold, it keeps us on the path, helps us press forward through the mists of darkness, as well as protect us from what is on the other side of the rod - the river of filthy water. When we do not take hold of the rod we are essentially trying to create our own path. However, as illustrated in the dream, there is only one path to the tree - no short cuts, no new and improved ways, no “I did it my way.”
The word of God is unadulterated truth that describes God, his nature, his laws, his plan. We do not see “things as they really are” (Jacob 4:13) without the word of God. With the word of God the mists of darkness become less and less relevant or tempting. This point is illustrated by how the mists of darkness are described relative to the first three groups Lehi saw. The description of the mists for the first group who did not take hold of the rod is “an exceedingly great mist of darkness.” The second group, however, confronts simply a “mist of darkness,” while with the third group there is no mention of the mists of darkness at all. No doubt the third group encountered a mist of darkness. But because they were holding fast continually to the rod of iron the mist of darkness did not appear to affect them - it was not worth mentioning. The significance of the mists of darkness appears to be a function of how the traveler utilizes the rod. Why is this so?
There seems to be another precept to be learned from the second and third groups regarding the rod - how we hold to the rod. Remember, the second group “fell away, into forbidden paths” because of those whose were mocking them, while the third group partook of the fruit and gave no heed to the great and spacious building and its inhabitants. The second group is described as “clinging to the rod” while the third group is “continually holding fast to the rod.” The use of the word “clinging” in contrast to “holding fast,” and the absence of the word “continually” when describing the second group is instructive. The absence of the word “continually” seems to add some contrast to the descriptors “clinging” versus “holding fast” to the rod. Could it suggest that those who were clinging were using the rod (the word of God) in a way that it did not have the desired effect?
For example, while writing to the ancient saints to faithfulness, the Apostle Peter admonished, “account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16.)  Along with Peter’s are Alma’s words issuing the same warning. Speaking to his son Corianton, he taught, “And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee” (Alma 41:1.)
The word wrest, as used in these verses denotes to “misinterpret, misapply and pervert” the word of God. When we misinterpret, misapply, and pervert the word of God, whether in the scriptures, through God’s chosen leaders, or through direct inspiration, we are vulnerable to the mists of darkness. Not only do we misinterpret, misapply, and pervert God’s word, we do the same to ourselves - we misinterpret the purpose of our lives; we misapply our time talents, and resources with which we have been blessed; we pervert our identity. Could it be that because these souls had wrested God’s word they found themselves ashamed or embarrassed when they partook of the fruit of the tree. They were expecting something different than experiencing joying while ignoring the vanity and pride of the world because they had wrested God’s word.
In contrast, “continually holding fast” suggests a steadiness and appropriateness regardless the breadth and depth of the mists of darkness in interpreting, applying, and preserving the word. These souls were undeterred. They were focused on the tree and the fruit. In other words, they were grounded, rooted, established, and settled (Ephesians 3:17, 1 Peter 5:10.) Unless we “hold fast continually” it seems that it is simply a matter of time before we wander off and become lost - leaving the path or the tree.
Choice Three - Do I become ashamed of the love of God or not?
While describing the second group of people who obtained the path Lehi writes that these people “did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.” Ashamed?! Ashamed?! These people were partaking of the love of God and they were ashamed? Ashamed of what? What could possibly cause them to be ashamed? They had passed through the mists of darkness and were partaking of the love of God, which is “the most desirable above all things...and the most joyous to the soul.” The image of people becoming ashamed while partaking of the love of God should send a shiver through the souls of every believer. Is it possible that we can become ashamed while partaking of the love of God and experiencing the attending joy? Apparently, yes. This is troubling and sobering imagery.
No doubt Lehi was also troubled by this scene. He had partaken of the fruit and experienced the exceeding joy that caused him to reach out to his loved ones to partake. The people he was seeing pressed their way through the mists of darkness and were partaking of the love of God and the attendant exceeding joy alongside him. What could possibly contribute to someone feeling ashamed to partake of the love of God and the exceeding great joy that accompanies it?
It seems Lehi began to look around in an effort to discover why people were ashamed when he saw “on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building. It is interesting that Lehi had not mentioned this imposing site prior to this point in his dream. How could he had not noticed it by now? The building was great and spacious - impressive and large. It was filled with people mocking those at the tree - they had to have been noisy. How could he have not noticed such a thing and others at the tree had? As he notes, he and others at the tree gave those in the building no heed. But why? Why would some at the tree fall prey to the mocking and others give them no heed?
There is an important insight that emerges while contrasting the description of those in the great and spacious building, and Laman and Lemuel’s description of Lehi in 1 Nephi 2:11. As already noted, the definition of the building and its occupants as provided through Lehi and Nephi is that embodies the vain imaginations and pride of the world. At the same time, Laman and Lemuel attributed the reason Lehi had lead his family into the wilderness as “the foolish imaginations of his heart.” From this we can conclude that God looks upon the great and spacious building and its occupants as representing the vain imaginations and pride of the worldly while those in the building look upon those at the tree and on the path as being “foolish” - crazy, irrational, or not thinking right.
Those who were mocking had some interesting characteristics:
  • They occupied what had to be an impressive building that loomed high above those partaking of the fruit - it was great, it was spacious, and seemed to float high above the earth. It had to be an imposing, intriguing, and even attractive site. Who hasn’t been intrigued by the potential view of a tall building. The building’s position of floating in the air provided a perspective that  allowed the occupants to look down on those at the tree, implying a feeling of superiority, but without a visible foundation. How descriptive of our pride and vanity!
  • The great and spacious building was filled with people, implying that the mocking multitude were not a few - what could have easily appeared to be a majority since they filled the large and spacious building. Not only were there many of them, they were old and young, male and female, suggesting they came from all walks of life.
  • Their manner of dress was exceedingly fine. Appearance mattered to this group. The word exceeding connotes an excess or extreme in their dress. This suggests that it is not just those who may obsess over what are considered the fashion media of the day, but individuals and groups who attempt to distinguish themselves by their clothing or appearance - whether grunge or glamour. The alternative in the Book of Mormon is to be “neat and comely” (Alma 1:27.)
  • They were mocking those who were partaking of the fruit. Why? Why would such a large group of people find a relatively small gathering eating fruit at a tree worth their time and energy and interest? Don’t they have better things to do than mock and scoff at those they clearly considered delusional people? The imagery suggests that when size or appearance of our group does not get the attention of others, mocking is that to which the supposed majority resort. In addition, the mocking of the multitude might bely a feeling that the inattentiveness of those partaking of the love of God exposes the mocker’s lack of authenticity - a form of showing the emperor has no clothes. Rather than confess and seek the path leading to the tree they would rather reinforce their apparent superiority by putting down others.
Nephi provides insight regarding the building, its inhabitants, and its future. After seeing the death of Christ on the cross, Nephi “saw the multitudes of the earth, that they were gathered together to fight against the apostles of the Lamb.” These were “gathered together...in a large and spacious building” like the building Lehi saw. The angel guiding Nephi through his revelatory experience explained, “Behold the world and the wisdom thereof” (1 Nephi 11:33-34.) Then this disturbing explanation by the angel guiding Nephi, “behold the house of Israel hath gathered together to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” What? The house of Israel gathers to fight against Christ’s twelve apostles? Were at least some of the inhabitants of the building actually the apostate children of Israel of every age. Could it be those who had once feasted at the tree, but became ashamed, having succumbed to the mocking multitude with their various types of media that magnify their mocking? What would posses members of the house of Israel to fight against Christ’s apostles? Nephi was inspired to bear record “that the great and spacious building was the pride of the world” (1 Nephi 11:33-35.) For emphasis, later Nephi learns that “the large and spacious building...is vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men” (1 Nephi 12:18.) Christ and his apostles call the van and prideful to repentance. So called, the vain and prideful not only mock the faithful, but to fight against the apostles of Christ - even those of the house of Israel, ancient and modern.
Left unchecked, our pride can result in our (including the covenant house of Israel), fighting the apostles of Christ. What was the result? The building and its inhabitants, “fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great.” Then a warning from the angel, “Thus shall be the destruction of all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, that shall fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (1 Nephi 11:36.) While the building and inhabitants may appear to be an attractive and unassailable force that would endure indefinitely, the reality is that while they may endure for a season - they will fall. Meanwhile, the tree and its fruit will endure forever, as well as those feasting thereof. Hence, they give no heed to the building or its occupants.
Mocking, on the other hand, needs no substance, just vanity and pride - an obsession with self. Ironically, for the mocking to have an effect on the believer, the believer must have some vanity and pride as well. People who share common characteristics are attracted to one another (see D&C 88:34-41 for an intriguing perspective on this principle of likes attract.)
Those in the great and spacious building not only had an effect on some who were partaking of the fruit of the tree, but many others scattered across the landscape that Lehi beheld. Multitudes were seen “feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.” Given the mists of darkness, the imagery of people “feeling their way” makes sense if they have been blinded and hardened by the temptations of the devil. There is no straight and narrow path leading to the great and spacious building. It is the ultimate result when we do it our way. No need for repentance and baptism to join this group. But the focus on “feeling their way” may also speak to the quest for sensation by those who are blind and hard hearted. Interestingly, it appears that sensation demands more and more until one is past feeling and has no feelings for another, thereby making mocking much easier.
What are some precepts that the latter-day disciple can glean from these few verses describing the people in Lehi’s dream?
  • Obtaining the path leads the disciple away from the things of the world toward the love of God - At some point the disciple must decide to leave the world and pursue Christ. There is a reason “a great and a terrible gulf divideth” those in the building and those at the tree, “yea, even the word of the justice of the Eternal God” (1 Nephi 12: 18.) We cannot be tourists of the tree and the great and spacious building at the same time. The graphic separation between the tree and the building is illustrative. In the end, we are seeking or arrive in one location or the other. We cannot take up residence on one side of the gulf and vacation in, or visit, the other.
  • Mists of darkness confront every disciple - temptation and fiery darts are part and parcel of being a disciple of Christ. No one is immune. “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass” (2 Nephi 2:11.) We must not despair when we confront such opposition.
  • The only way to stay on the path (remain faithful) is to continually hold fast to the word of God and to humbly partake of God’s love - later in the Book of Mormon, in one of Mormon’s many editorial insertions, we read, “we see that whosoever 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 in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked” (Helaman 3:29.) The underlying cunning and snares of the devil is to encourage vanity and pride - he being the archetype. The word of God is manifest in the form of scripture, modern prophets, or whisperings of the Spirit to the soul. The word of God is always consistent and correlated in whatever form it takes. When truly inspired, they always agree. Casualness toward any of these forms leaves us vulnerable. Holding fast to the rob implies the word will change us, not that we will adapt the word to our preferences.
  • Disciples should expect to be mocked, sometimes by large numbers of people who appear superior in a variety of ways, as with position or size or appearance, but faithful disciples will give them no heed - this may be the most demanding choice. It is an incessant as it is important - the test of meekness and humility. As Neal A. Maxwell explained, “Did Paul not speak knowingly of the ‘fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10)? Are we not told that meekness is so vital that God actually gives us certain challenges in order to keep us humble (Ether 12:27)? Did not Peter write regarding how Christians should expect to be familiar with fiery trials (1 Peter 4:12)? Furthermore, as the disciple enriches his relationship with the Lord, he is apt to have periodic ‘public relations’ problems with others, being misrepresented and misunderstood. He or she will have to ‘take it’ at times. Meekness, therefore, is a key to deepening discipleship (https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/neal-a-maxwell_meek-lowly/.) Meekness keeps us from falling prey to vanity and pride, whether in ourselves or others. The greater the vanity in pride in ourselves, the more vulnerable we are to the vanity and pride of others. Humility and meekness protects us from mocking and allow us to enjoy the love of God no matter what others are doing.
So much can be communicated through the use of a few simple simple symbols, and in this writing we have only scratched the surface of what can be explored. No doubt you have had other stretching insights. Such is the purpose of the scriptures - to stretch us and make of us something better than we would naturally become - by confronting us with truth. Such truths are intended to help us see reality and soften us to receive truth into our souls by His Spirit so we can then turn to God - another way of describing the call to repent. The writer hopes these few thoughts have encouraged greater seeking to understand and receive the truths to be found for each one of us in Lehi’s dream.
Often, efforts to seek for and receive truth are aided when we ask great questions. Therefore, we conclude with a question introduced toward the beginning of this writing. While studying this dream it is useful to ask, “where do I see myself in Lehi’s dream?” We could add one more question, “where am I headed in Lehi’s dream?” Such questions can be asked and answered every day. Answering these questions is likely the more important revelation any reader can receive regarding Lehi’s dream and one that we should hope for everyone.