-Lehi had
dreamt many dreams, many (most or a few, we are not sure) of which Nephi did
not include in his record (see chapter 6:3), why did he include this one in
particular? Not only did he include an account, but he relates it in specific
detail.
“I have dreamed
a dream”
-most of
us have awoken in the morning after having had a profound and memorable
dream. In fact the dream lingers with us
in profound emotional ways. Dreams can
sometimes impact our spirits more poignantly than an experience we have while
awake. There is something about the
brain operations that can make a dream be more profound, rich and vivid than
our actual, physical experiences. It is
as if our mortal bodies can actually get in the way of our spiritual
cognitions. No wonder God sometimes
talks to us when our physical bodies are “turned off”. He needs to impress upon us a message.
“in other words,
I have seen a vision.”
-the
ability to recognize inspiration and heavenly teaching is a critical
thing. Lehi recognizes revelation/truth
for what it is. Sometimes we entirely
miss the messages when they are presented to us. The recognition that is denoted by “in other
words”, is essential if we are to grow spiritually and live a directed,
purposeful life. The alternatives to “in
other words, I have seen a vision” are “I had an idea”, chance, coincidence, we
got lucky and a hundred different manifestations of ignorance and missing the
boat entirely.
-most
prophets in the scriptures describe their theophanies in this familiar
phrase. Another common method of
receiving heavenly guidance is described or illustrated as “feeling” the words
of the Spirit or of God. Actual auditory
experiences –where one physically hears singular, individual words- are much less common. To be sure, these happen on occasion and
usually represent some of the most
profound manifestations of Diety as with Moses on Saini and Joseph Smith in the
grove. The modal method, however, seems
to be to communicate through feelings or images (sight). For example, “I have seen a vision” instead
of “I have heard a vision or heard instructions”. Lehi’s vision of the tree of life is probably
90% visual and impression and only 10% verbal.
Why does God seem to utilize these sensory methods so heavily instead of
the most common method of mortal communication:
speaking? He shows and impresses
rather than tells.
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