“a tree”
= the
Savior, atonement
-CR: Nephi 11:9, 11-21, 22-23)
-the tree
is the central figure in this vision. It
is the first specific item that Lehi notices.
We may suppose that it is purposely prominent and something that no
person will miss or overlook. It is the
centerpiece –as is the thing(s) it represents.
-the tree
is fundamentally connected to the field/earth.
It is not something apart from it.
Signifying that the Savior is to work out His purpose here on Earth and
that this mortal existence is where we are to find joy, the Savior: this place
–so far, in many ways, from God- is central to our whole existence. This earth, here and now, is the most
important station that will determine our eternal standing.
“fruit”
= love of
God. The love of God is demonstrated by God’s sacrifice (the atonement)
-the
result/end product, rewards of labor.
-if
the fruit is most desirable to make one happy, is it therefore the focal point
of this vision/of our experience? Is it
and/or should it be our primary motivator?
What about it makes us happy?
What, if anything, are its results in us? For example, the tree of knowledge of good
and evil resulted in the very thing: knowledge of good and evil. In similar light, does this tree’s fruit give
us life (eternal)?
-tasting
or partaking of the fruit does not guarantee complete contrition afterwards.
Its omniscient sweetness/goodness does not guarantee our perfect fidelity
afterwards because we find out that people partake and then turn away from it
(vs. 28). Hence partaking of the fruit
is not an end all or a final destination.
-fruits
have seeds that give root to another generation of like plants. Is there a deep
message along these lines?
-is the
fruit a thing that makes one happy? That
is, do we (are we to) strive for it because it will product happiness
for us –like other less pure things that make people happy (i.e. cars, riches,
fame, praise companionship, etc.)? As if
it were a righteous thing that provided joy-
or is the focus on the happiness that the fruit produces? This is a subtle difference in focus: focus on the fruit or focus on the
happiness. Perhaps this is such a subtle
identification that it really doesn’t matter and we should understand that the
fruit and happiness are perfectly synonymous.
But it reads: “…fruit was
desirable to make one happy.”
-the
purpose of the fruit is to be partaken of by us! We are to eat.
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