Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Lehi's Dream is Our World Today


I read in an Ensign article a while back about how we can find ourselves in Lehi's Dream and it really impacted me. There is SO much symbolism in the Scriptures. I know that Heavenly Father prompted these men who wrote the scriptures to write certain things so that we today, could relate them to our lives and help better ourselves. I want to touch on a few of those symbols that can really help us in our everyday lives.

LEHI'S DREAM

found in 1 Nephi Chapter 8 of the Book of Mormon




IRON ROD = The Scriptures


The people were trying their hardest to hold to the rod. If you hold to the rod, then you will have the Spirit to guide and direct you. IMMERSE YOURSELF in the scriptures



GREAT AND SPACIOUS BUILDING = The World and Temptations

We have so much temptation around us from the music we listen to or the movies we watch or the things that we allow ourselves to talk about that aren't appropriate. We need to try our hardest to keep ourselves away from the world (great and spacious building). In Lehi's dream some of the people who were on the path were ashamed because they let the people in the great and spacious building make fun of them. People ARE going to make fun and think that our beliefs are strange because we believe in being wholesome. The world is not teaching us to be wholesome. This is why we need to try our hardest to be in the world but not of it.


PATH = The Commandments

God has given us certain commandments not to make our lives miserable but to help us. Think about the commandment to keep the word of wisdom. When we faithfully keep the word of wisdom our bodies are blessed tremendously! We are healthy and don't make stupid mistakes that we would have if we were under the influence of a harmful substance. Stay on the path on you will be happy. It's a promise that I know to be true personally.

MIST OF DARKNESS = Temptation from Satan

Satan is a jerk! He always seems to tempt us when we are trying to be good. Like the people in Lehi's dream who were trying really hard to hold to the rod. Satan puts a mist of darkness over our eyes to make it hard to see the end result (tree of life). He tempts us to give in to our carnal desires especially if it will hurt us and make us fall off the path. Keep holding onto the rod even when it's hard to see the eternal benefits of what you're doing


TREE OF LIFE = Jesus Christ

When I picture the Tree of Life I think of this huge beautiful white tree that has light beaming from every leaf. Our Savior Jesus Christ is Light! He is the Light. Everything that is good comes from Christ! Follow him and you will be happy. You will have eternal life.



FRUIT ON THE TREE: The Gospel/Love of God


The Lord has given us this fruit (the Gospel) because he LOVES us so much. Think about how much he loves us. He DIED and SUFFERED for us. He wants you to follow the path to him and then to partake of his love. Partake of the fruit. I know that if we do this that we will find eternal happiness. What is better than that? Even if the mist gets us confused and we have a hard time on the path at least we can get right back on it! Hold to the rod! Follow the light! And try not to be ashamed after you HAVE partaken of the fruit. This gospel is real and will be for eternity.

1 comment:

  1. I loved your comments and photos. They really add to what I believe to be true.
    The recent tragedy associated with the tsunami in Japan,certainly puts life into perspective. It causes us to ask a serious question....What is truly important in this life?
    All that we have left, when everything is stripped away from us, is our relationship with Heavenly Father. We are all here to learn how to become totally dependant on him for all we are, who we can become and what we should be.
    Many have lost sight of the important things in life and have elevated themselves above God.
    While listening to the beginning broadcasts on the news about this disaster, I heard this comment made from a government leader in Japan. He said: "too many people have become spoiled with their riches and God is punishing them." How many of us are very spoiled and have forgotten what is required of our wealth?
    Nothing belongs to us. We aren't entitled to a single thing that we have. We have seen recently that it can all be gone within a blink of an eye. Even your riches can't help you when you lose your home,family,cars,food & belongs. If you were to ask any of the survivors if they would choose their wealth over their dead family members, I'm sure we would hear a chorus of pleadings for their families.
    We all become beggars eventually and beg and pray for mercy and help.
    There should be no poor amoung us if we are truly living the gospel.
    There is a cleaning house going on right under our noses. Examples are in Haiti, Louisana and the list goes on. Are we prepared right now to meet God?

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