1 Nephi 2:15

15  And my father dwelt in a ^atent.

       "tent"

            -the Arabic word (bayt) for "tent" is also the word for "family".  In essence when one says “this is my tent” it is like saying, “this is my family”.  This also has significance in the context of a famous Bedouin (which means “desert dweller”) saying, "I against my brother, my brothers and I against my cousins, then my cousins and I against strangers". This saying signifies a hierarchy of loyalties based on proximity of kinship that runs from the nuclear family through the lineage, the tribe, and, in principle at least, to an entire genetic or linguistic group.  When resources were plentiful, several tents would travel together as a goum. These groups were sometimes linked by patriarchal lineage, but were just as likely linked by marriage (new wives were especially likely to have close male relatives join them), acquaintance, or no clearly defined relation but a simple shared membership in the tribe.(Wikipedia, “Bedouin”)  Lehi’s family is his tent, which is similar to a more familiar saying in our culture:  home is anywhere the family is.  Additionally, Lehi and his family are now desert dwellers and are exemplifying the “I against…” cultural value.  Lehi could rightly have said, “let’s hunker down and fortify our home because it is us against the world.”  This is a perfect analogy to the stance we must take in our day.  God has ordained that the family unit is the most fundamental (and essential) organization providing protection, defense, sustenance and strength in a world and at a time when wickedness advances in the world around us.

            -a slightly altered translation of this phrase could easily read: “and my father found life in his family”.  “He lived for his family”.  Lehi’s entire focus was on his wife, his sons and daughters.  This is why he is working so hard to convince Laman and Lemuel.  Nephi who is the author and commentator of the history is focusing entirely on how Lehi’s experience is affecting the family.  The telling of this story is through the eyes of family.  Consider how frequently elements and derivitives of family (brother, sons, growing up, home, parents, rearing) permeate these first chapters and continue on.  The tree of life vision could be explored through the prism of doctrine but the majore theme and context is again, how it effects Lehi’s family.  The doctrine is obviously presened and apparent but it is positioned in relation to the family:  Lehi wished to share the fruit with his family, he looked around, could not find Laman and Lemuel, etc.