Nephi’s question in verse 11 (to understand the meaning of the tree) is answered through a process of “showing and observation” comprising verses 12-21. It is a process of discovery.
12
And it came to pass that he said unto me: Look! And I looked as if to
look upon him, and I saw him not; for he had gone from before my presence.
-why the departure of the Spirit of the Lord?
"Look!"
-throughout the duration of this vision the invitation to "look!" will be repeated many times. There are two thoughts that come to mind:
1. the equally frequent injunction found in the scriptures for "he who hath eyes to see". In other words we are to observe, pay attention, open the eyes of our understanding.
2. a child or adolescent will sometimes pester his parent (frequently his mom) with incessant requests to "watch this!" or "look!" as they perform some feat which to them is amazing, new or otherwise noteworthy. That level of excitement and urgency is reminiscent of the request/demand made to Nephi.
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