Book of Mormon Primary Lessons

“Lesson 4: The Tree of Life,” Primary 4: Book of Mormon, 12

In this lesson you will learn about symbols that Lehi saw in a dream and their meanings.

Read 1 Nephi 8, 1 Nephi 11, and 1 Nephi 15:21–36.

"[Lehi] beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy . . . [he] beheld that it was most sweet, above all . . . the fruit thereof was white . . . it filled [his] soul with exceedingly great joy; [he was] desirous that [his] family should partake of it also . . ." (1 Nephi 8:10–12).

Symbols and their meanings in Lehi’s dream:

1. The tree (1 Nephi 8:10) - The love of God in giving the world his Only Begotten Son (1 Nephi 11:21–22; John 3:16)

2. The fruit (1 Nephi 8:11) - Eternal life (1 Nephi 15:36; D&C 14:7)

3. The rod of iron (1 Nephi 8:19) - The word of God (1 Nephi 15:23–24)

4. Mist of darkness (1 Nephi 8:23) - Temptations of the devil (1 Nephi 12:17)

5. Great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8:26–27) - Pride of the world (1 Nephi 11:36)

Nephi asked the angel to show him the meaning of the tree, he saw a vision of the birth and ministry of the Savior. Nephi saw that Jesus Christ, because of his love for us, would be crucified for our sins so that we might repent and gain eternal life. Eternal life means living with Heavenly Father as families in the celestial kingdom.

The word of God can be found in the scriptures, and from our Prophet that leads the church today. Reading the Book of Mormon every day can help us stay on the path back to our Father in Heaven.

The temptations of the devil can confuse us and lead us astray. Satan tempts us every day to leave the strait and narrow path. Holding steadfast to the "Iron Rod" helps us stay on the strait and narrow path. This can include reading daily from the Book of Mormon, obeying parents, praying, being honest, choosing good friends, choosing good entertainment, and so on.

Those that put value into the Pride of the world will view those who hold fast to the teachings to God as peculiar, and will mock them. Satan encourages these people to make fun of those who believe in the word of God.

Labels: Book of Mormon, Lehi, Lesson 4, Nephi, Tree of Life