Lesson 3: "The Vision of the Tree of Life"

8/3/2019 Lesson 3: "The Vision of the Tree of Life"

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Gospel Doctrine, Lesson 3: The Vision of the Tree of Life,1 Nephi 8-11, 12, 15In 1811, we moved from Royalton, Vermont, to the town of Lebanon, New

Hampshire. Soon after arriving here, my husband received another very singular

vision, which I will relate:I thought, said he, I was traveling in an open, desolate field, which ap-peared to be very barren. As I was thus traveling, the thought suddenly came into

my mind that I had better stop and reflect upon what I was doing, before I went

any further. So I asked myself, What motive can I have in traveling here, and wh

place can this be? My guide, who was by my side, as before, said, This is the

desolate world; but travel on. The road was so broad and barren that I wondered

why I should travel in it; for, said I to myself, Broad is the road, and wide is the

gate that leads to death, and many there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and strait is the gate

that leads to everlasting life, and few there be that go in thereat. Traveling a short distance further, I cam

to a narrow path. This path I entered, and, when I had traveled a little way in it, I beheld a beautiful streamof water, which ran from the east to the west. Of this stream, I could see neither the source nor yet themouth; but as far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope, running along the bank of it, about as high

a man could reach, and beyond me was a low, but very pleasant valley, in which stood a tree such as I ha

never seen before. It was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admira

tion. Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat like an umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, inshape much like a chestnut bur, and as white as snow, or, if possible, whiter. I gazed upon the same with

considerable interest, and as I was doing so, the burs or shells commenced opening and shedding their paticles, or the fruit which they contained, which was of dazzling whiteness. I drew near and began to eat o

it, and I found it delicious beyond description. As I was eating, I said in my heart, I cannot eat this alone

must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with me. Accordingly, I went and brought myfamily which consisted of a wife and seven children, and we all commenced eating and praising God for

this blessing. We were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be expressed. While th

engaged, I beheld a spacious building standing opposite the valley which we were in, and it appeared to

reach to the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and they were all filled with people, who we

very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger of scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt. But their contumely we ut-

terly disregarded. I presently turned to my guide and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit that was sodelicious. He told me that it was the pure love of God, spread abroad in the hearts of all those who love

him, and keep his commandments. He then commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children. I toldhim that we were all there. No, he replied, look yonder, you have two more, and you must bring them

also. Upon raising my eyes, I saw two small children, standing some distance off. I immediately went to

them, and brought them to the tree; upon which they commenced eating with the rest, and we all rejoiced

together. The more we ate, the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon ourknees and scooped it up, eating it by double handfuls. After feasting in this man-

ner a short time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious buildingwhich I saw. He replied, It is Babylon, it is Babylon, and it must fall. The peo-

ple in the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and de-

spise the Saints of God because of their humility. I soon awoke, clapping myhands together for joy. (Lucy Mack Smith,History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, 48)


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#1 In his dream Lehi finds himself wandering in a dark and dreary waste lost and

helpless (1 Nephi 8:4-8)Of all the images that haunt the early Arab poets this is by all odds

the commonest; it is the standard nightmare of the Arab; and it is the supreme boast of

every poet that he has traveled long distances through dark and dreary wastes all alone

Invariably darkness is given as the main source of terror and the culminating horror

almost always a mist of darkness, a depressing mixture of dust, and clammy fog,

which, added to the night, completes the confusion of any who wander in the waste.

Quite contrary to what one would expect, these dank mists are described by travelers in

all parts of Arabia (Hugh Nibley,Lehi in the Desert, 43)

#2 Elder Neal A. Maxwell tells us, The tree of life is the love of God (1 Ne.

11:25). The love of God for His children is most profoundly expressed in His gif

of Jesus as our Redeemer: God so loved the world, that he gave his only be-

gotten Son (John 3:16). To partake of the love of God is to partake of Jesus Atonement and the emancipations and joys which it can bring. (Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 6)

#3 Elder David A. Bednar said, Let me suggest that holding fast to the iron

rod entails the prayerful and consistent use of all three of the ways of obtainin

living water that we have discussed tonight...Are you and I daily reading,

studying and searching the scriptures in a way that enables us to hold fast to th

rod of iron? (A Reservoir of Living Water. CES fireside for young adults, Feb 4, 2007, 10-11, www.ldsces.org).

#4 A friend of mine had gotten way off the path for a time in his life. Through repen-

tance and much effort, he regained his membership in the Church and was doing very

well, having served a mission with his wife and done much good.

However, one day he came to see me in my office. He expressed grave concern about

his chances for gaining celestial exaltation, whereas, he had been very confident about

his chances for several years now. His concern boiled down to this: He was now notic-

ing flaws and imperfections in his daily living which he had not even noticed before th

time in his life. I guess I startled him when I said, Rejoice!

As we chatted I explained that the fact that he was now noticing things heretofore un

noticed by him in his life was evidence that he was now much closer to the Spirit than

before. He was drawing closer and closer to God, and the light was shining much

brighter on the path so that he was noticing and worrying about littler things in his life

It was a sign that he was doing much better! When he realized this, he paused, then

smiled, breathed a big sigh of relief and left the office very happy. (David Ridges, The Book of Mmon Made Easier, 51)


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#5 Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin stated, You must hold firmly to the rod of iron

through the mists and darknesses, the hardships and trials of life. If you relax

your grip and slip from the path, the iron rod might become lost in the darknes

for a time until you repent and regain your grasp of it. (CR, Oct. 1989, 93)

#6 Elder Neal A. Maxwell tells us, The laughter of the world is merely loneliness pa-

thetically trying to reassure itself. (Cleanse Us All From Unrighteousness, 19)

#7 Elder Glen L. Pace of the Seventy said, ...the people in that building have

absolutely nothing to offer except instant, short-term gratification inescapably

connected to long-term sorrow and suffering. The commandments you observe

were not given by a dispassionate God to prevent you from having fun, but by

loving Father in Heaven who wants you to be happy while you are living on this earth

well as in the hereafter.

Compare the blessings of living the Word of Wisdom to those available to you iyou choose to party with those in the great and spacious building. Compare the joy of

intelligent humor and wit to drunken, silly, crude, loud laughter...Compare lifting peop

up to putting people down. Compare the ability to receive personal revelation and dire

tion in your life to being tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. Compare holdi

the priesthood of God with anything you see going on in that great and spacious build-

ing. (CR, Oct., 1987, 49-50)

A Vision Given to

Heber Q. HalePresident of the Boise Stake

A heavenly manifestation given to Heber Q. Hale, President of the Boise Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Lter-day Saints, as related by him at the Genealogical Conference held in the Auditorium of the Bishops' Building, Salt LCity, Utah, October, 1920. (Requested by the Presidency of the Church in 1920.)

It is with a very humble and grateful spirit that I attempt to relate on this occasion, by request, a personal experienwhich is very sacred to me. I must of necessity be brief. Furthermore, there were certain things made known to me whI don't feel at liberty to relate here. Let me say by way of preface that between the hours of 12 and 7:30 in the nighJanuary 20, 1920, while alone in a room at the home of W.F. Raween in Carey, Idaho, the glorious manifestation wvouchsafed to me.

I was not conscious of anything that transpired during the hours mentioned, except what I experienced in this mafestation. I did not turn over in bed, nor was I disturbed by any sound, which indeed is unusual for me. Whether itcalled a dream, an apparition, a vision or a pilgrimage of my spirit into the world of sprits, I know not. I care not. I knthat I actually saw and experienced the things related in this heavenly manifestation, and they are as real to me as any perience of my life. For me, at least, this is sufficient.

Of all the doctrines and practices of the Church, the principle of vicarious work for the dead has been the most dicult for me to comprehend and wholeheartedly accept. I consider this vision is the Lord's answer to the prayer of my son this and certain other questions.

I passed but a short distance from my body through a film into the world of spirits. This was my first experience agoing to sleep. I seemed to realize that I had passed through the change called death and I so referred to it in my convetion with the immortal beings with whom I immediately came into contact. I readily observed their displeasure at our us


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of the word death and the fear which we attach to it. They use there another word in referring to the transition from mtality to immortality, which word I don't recall and I can only approach its meaning and the impression which was lupon my mind, by calling it the New Birth.

My first visual impression was the nearness of the world of sprits to the world of mortality. The vastness of this heenly sphere was bewildering to the eyes of the spirit-novice. Many enjoyed unrestricted vision, and unimpeded actiwhile many others were visibly restricted as to both vision and action. The vegetation and landscape were beautiful beyodescription; not all green as here, but gold with varying shades of pink, orange, and lavender as the rainbow. A sweet caness pervaded everything. The people I met there I did not think of as spirits, but as men and women, self-thinking a

self-acting individuals, going about important business in a most orderly manner. There was perfect order there and evebody had something to do and seemed to be about their business.

That the inhabitants of the spirit world are classified according to their lives of purity, and their subservience to Father's will, was subsequently made apparent. Particularly was it observed that the wicked and unrepentant are confinto a certain district by themselves, the confines of which are as definitely determined and impassable as the line markthe division of the physical from the spiritual world. A mere film, but impassable until the person himself was changThe world of spirit is the temporary abode of all sprits pending the resurrection from the dead and the judgment. Thwas much activity within the different spheres, and appointed ministers of salvation were seen coming from the higherthe lower spheres in pursuit of their missionary appointments.

I had a very pronounced desire to meet certain of my kinsfolk and friends, but I was at once impressed with the fthat I had entered a tremendously great and extensive world, even greater than our earth and more abundantly inhabite

could be in only one place at a time, could do only one thing at a time, could look only in one direction at a time, and cordingly it would require many, many years to search out and converse with all those I had known and those whom I sired to meet unless they were especially summoned to receive men.

All men and women were appointed to special and regular service under a well organized plan of action, direcprincipally toward preaching the gospel to the unconverted, teaching those who seek knowledge and establishing famrelationships and gathering genealogies for the use and benefit of mortal survivors of their respective families, that work of baptism and the sealing ordinances may be vicariously performed for the departed in the temples of God upthe earth. The authorized representatives of families in the world of sprits have access to our temple records and are kfully advised of the work done therein, but the vicarious work done here does not become automatically effective.

The recipients must first believe, repent and accept baptism and confirmation; then certain consummating ordinanare performed effectualizing these saving principles in the lives of those regenerated beings. And so the great work is gng onthey are doing a work there which we cannot do here, and we a work here which they cannot do there, for salvation of all God's children who will be saved.

I was surprised to find there no babies in arms. I met the infant son of Orson W. Rawlings, my first counselor. I mediately recognized him as the baby who died a few years ago, and yet he seemed to have the intelligence and, in cerrespect, the appearance of an adult, and was engaged in matters pertaining to his family and its genealogy. My mind wquite contented upon the point that mothers will again receive into their arms their children who died in infancy and be fully satisfied, but the fact remains that entrance into the world of spirits is not an inhibition of growth but the greaopportunity of development. Babies are adult spirits in infant bodies.

I presently beheld a mighty multitude of men, the largest I had ever seen gathered in one place, who I immediarecognized as soldiers, the millions who had been slaughtered and rushed so savagely into the world of spirits during great world war [WWI]. Among them moved, calmly and majestically, a great general in supreme command. As I drnearer, I received the kingly smile and generous welcome of a great loving man, General Richard W. Young. Then ca

the positive conviction to my soul, that of all the men living or dead, there is not one who is so perfectly fitted for great mission unto which he had been called. He commands immediately the attention and respect of all the soldiers. Hat once a great general and a great High Priest of God. No earthly field of labor to which he could have been assigncould compare with it in importance and extent. I passed from this scene to return later when I found General Young this vast army of men completely organized with officers over successive divisions, and all were seated, and he was preang the gospel in great earnestness to them.

As I passed forward, I soon met my beloved mother. She greeted me most affectionately and expressed surpriseseeing me there, and reminded me that I had not completed my allotted mission on earth. She seemed to be going somwhere and was in a hurry and, accordingly, took her leave with saying that she would see me soon again.

I moved forward covering an appreciable distance and consuming considerable time, viewing the wonderful sightandscape, parks, trees and flowers and meeting people, some of whom I knew, but many thousands of whom I did


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recognize as acquaintances. I presently approached a small group of men, standing in a path lined with spacious stretcof flowers, grasses, and shrubbery, all of a golden hue, marking the approach of a beautiful building. The group was gaged in earnest conversation. One of their number parted from the rest and came walking down the path. I at once rognized my esteemed President Joseph F. Smith. He embraced me as a father would his son and after a few wordsgreeting, quickly remarked: You have not come to stay, which remark I understood more as a declaration than an inrogation. For the first time I became fully conscious of my uncompleted mission on earth and, as much as I would hiked to remain, I at once asked President Smith if I might return. You have expressed a righteous desire he repliand I shall take the matter up with the authorities and let you know later.

We then returned and he led me toward the little group of men from whom he had just separated. I immediately rognized President Brigham Young and the Prophet Joseph Smith. I was surprised to find the former a shorter and heabuilt man than I had pictured him in my mind to be. On the other hand I found the latter to be taller than I had expecto find him. Both they and President Smith were possessed of a calm and holy majesty which was at once kind and kinWe then retraced our steps and President Smith took his leave, saying he would see me again.

From a certain point of vantage I was permitted to view this earth and what was going on here. There was no limtion of my vision and I was astounded at this. I saw my wife and children at home. I saw President Heber J. Grant at head of the Great Church and Kingdom of God and felt the divine power that radiates from God giving it light and trand guiding its destiny. I beheld this nation founded as it is on correct principles and designed to endure, but beset by and sinister forces that seek to lead men to thwart the purposes of God. I saw towns and cities; the sins and wickednesmen and women. I saw vessels sailing the oceans and scanned the battle-scarred fields of France and Belgium. In a wor

beheld the whole world as if it were but a panorama passing before my eyes.Then there came to me the unmistakable impression that this earth and scenes and persons upon it are open to vision of the spirits only when special permission is given or when they are assigned to special service here. This is partiarly true of the righteous who are busily engaged in two fields of activity at the same time.

The wicked and unrepentant have still, like the rest, their free agency, and applying themselves to no useful or whosome undertaking, seek pleasure about their old haunts and exalt in the sin and wickedness of degenerated humanity. this extent they are still the tools of Satan. It is these idle, mischievous and deceptive spirits who appear as miserable coterfeits at spiritualist sances, table dancing and ouija board operation. The noble and great ones do not respond to the of the mediums and to every curious group of meddlesome inquirers. They would not do it in the world of mortality, ctainly they would not do it in their increased state of knowledge in the world of immortality. These wicked and unrepeant spirits are [tools] of Satan and his host, operating through willing mediums in the flesh. These three forces constitan unholy trinity upon the earth and are responsible for all the sin, wickedness, distress and misery among men and tions.

I moved forward feasting my eyes upon the beauty of everything about me and glorying in the indescribable peand happiness that abounded in everybody and through everything. The further I went, the more glorious things appeaWhile standing at a certain vantage point, I beheld a short distance away a wonderful beautiful temple, capped with goldomes, from which emerged a small group of men dressed in white robes who paused for a brief conversation. They wthe first I had seen thus clad. The million that I had previously seen were in uniforms. In this little group of holy men, eyes centered upon one more splendid and holy than the rest. While I thus gazed, President Joseph F. Smith parted frthe others and came to my side. Do you know him? he inquired. I quietly answered, Yes, I know him. My eyes behmy Lord and Savior. It is true, said President Smith. And, oh, how my soul thrilled with rapture, and unspeakable filled my heart!

President Smith informed me that I had been given permission to return and complete the mission upon the ea

which the Lord had appointed to me to fulfill, and then with his hand upon my shoulder, uttered these memorable significant words, Brother Heber, you have a great work to do. Go forward with a prayerful heart and thou shall blessed in your ministry. From this time on, never doubt that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son, the Savior of World, that The Holy Ghost is a god of spirit and the messenger of the Father and Son; never doubt the resurrectionthe dead, the immortality of the soul; that the destiny of man is eternal progress. Never again doubt that the mission of Latter-day Saints is to all mankind, both the living and the dead; and that the great work in the holy temples for the livand the dead had only begun. Know this, that Joseph Smith was sent of God to usher in the gospel dispensation of fullness of times, which is the last unto mortals upon the earth. His successors have all been called of and approvedGod. President Heber J. Grant is at this time the recognized and ordained head of the Church of Jesus Christ upon earth. Give him your confidence and support. Much you have seen and heard here you will not be permitted to repwhen you return. Thus saying he bade me Good bye, and God bless you.


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Quite a distance, through various scenes and passing innumerable people, I traveled before I reached the sphwhich I had first entered. On my way I was greeted by many friends and relatives, certain of whom sent words of greetand counsel to their dear ones heremy mother being one of them.

One other I will mention. I met brother John Adamson, his wife, his son James and their daughter Isabelle, alwhom were killed by the hand of a foul assassin in their home, at Carey, Idaho, in the evening of October 29, 1915. Thseemed to define that I was on my way back to mortality and immediately said, (Brother Adamson was speaking) Tell children that we are very happy and very busy and they should not mourn our departure, nor worry their minds over manner by which we were taken. There is purpose in it, and we have a work to do here which required our collective

forts, and which we could not do individually. I was at once made to know that the work referred to was that of genogy on which they are working in England and Scotland.

One of the grandest and most sacred things of heaven is the family relationship. The establishment of the complchain without any broken links brings a fullness of joy. Links wholly bad will be dropped out and either new links put inthe two adjoining links welded together. Men and women everywhere throughout the world are being moved upontheir departed ancestors to gather genealogies. These are the links for the chain. The ordinances of baptism, endowmeand sealings performed in the temples of God by the living for the dead are the welding of the links. Ordinances are pformed in the spirit world effectualizing the individual recipient for their receiving the saving principles of the gospelcariously performed here.

As I was approaching the place where I entered, my attention was attracted towards a number of small groupswomen, preparing what appeared to me wearing apparel. Observing my inquiring countenance one of the women

marked, We are preparing to receive Brother Phillip Worthington very soon. As I grasped his name in repetition I wadmonished, If you knew the joy and the glorious mission that awaits him here you would not ask to have him londetained upon the earth. Then came flooding my consciousness this awful truth, that the will of the Lord can be done earth as it in is heaven, only when we resign completely to His will and let His will be done in and through us. On accoof the selfishness of many, persons who might have otherwise been taken in innocence and peace, have been permittedive, and have lived to their own peril, men and the assertion of the personal will as against the will of God. Phillip Wthington died January 22, 1920, for which I was advised by telegram, and returning to Boise, preached his funeral sermon January 25, 1920.

Men, women and children are often called to missions of great importance on the other side, and some respogladly while others refuse to go and their loved ones will not give them up. Also, many die because they have not the fto be healed. Others live and pass out of the world of mortals without any special manifestation of action of the divwill. When a man is stricken ill, the question of prime importance is not Is he going to live, or Is he going to die? Wmatter is it whether he lives or dies, so long as the will of the Father is done? Surely we can trust him with God. Heries the special duty and privilege of administration by the right and authority of the Holy Priesthood, namely: it is givthe elders of the Church of Jesus Christ to divine the will of the Father concerning the one upon whose head their hanare laid. If for any reason they are unable to presage the Father's will, then they should continue to pray in faith for afflicted one, humbly conceding supremacy to do the will of God, that His will may be done in earth as it in doneheaven.

To the righteous person, birth into the world of sprits is a glorious privilege and blessing. The greatest spirits in family of the Father have not usually been permitted to tarry longer in the flesh than to perform a certain mission; ththey are called to the world o f spirits where the field is greater and the workers fewer. This earthly mission, may therefbe long or short, as the Father wills.

I passed quietly out where I had entered the world of spirits and immediately my body was quickened, and I was

ponder over and record the many wonderful things I had seen and heard.Let me here and now declare to the world that irrespective of the opinion of others, I do know of my own posit

knowledge and from my own personal experiences that God in the Father of the spirits of all men and that He lives; tJesus Christ is his son and the Savior of the world, that the spirit of man does not die, but survives the change called deand goes to the world of spirits; that the world of spirit is upon or near this earth; that the principles of salvation are nbeing taught to the spirits and the great work of saving the Father's family among the living and dead is now in progreand that but comparatively few will ultimately be lost; that spirits will literally take up their bodies again in the resurrectand that the gospel of Jesus Christ has again been established upon the earth with all of the keys, powers, authority, ablessings, through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith; that His is the power that will not only save and exevery one who yields obedience to its principles, but will ultimately save the world; that the burden of our mission issave souls unto God, and that the work for the salvation of the dead is no less of importance than the work for the livin


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LESSON OUTLINEBefore we get into Lehis vision of the tree of life, have you ever wondered how the Lord prepared JosephSmiths parents to be the parents of a prophet? Can you think of any scriptural examples of parents being preparto receive a child? (Abraham & Sarah: Isaac, Zacharias & Elizabeth: John the Baptist, Mary & Joseph: Jesus)

learned this week that Joseph Smith Sr. was a visionary man! His wife, Lucy Mack, recorded at least seven of thdreams, or visions, once of which Ive included on the first page of the handout. This occurred in 1811, so how owas Joseph Jr.? (about 6) Read 1st page of handout

~Did anything stand out to you as we read Joseph Sr.s dream?-Started out in a field-Beautiful stream! (Lehi didnt notice filthiness, either)-Rope instead of iron rod-The more they ate, the more they desired-Learned of 2 more children to come to their family

Read 1 Ne 8:5-8~What does the dark and dreary waste symbolize? (No interpretation given, perhaps life without theSpirit??

~When we are in a dark place, what must we do? (pray)Quote #1Discuss the elements of Lehis dream. Draw them on the board in the order class members bring them up.

: See 1 Ne. 11:21-22 Symbolizes? (love of God, or Christ) Quote #2See 1 Ne. 8:12 Symbolizes? (blessings of the atonement, which are? Forgiveness, healing, becoming sancfied, pure, peace, happiness, confidence in prayer, worthiness to have Spirit, resurrection, freedom, exalt

tion, etc)


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See 1 Ne. 12:16. Symbolizes? (depths of hell)See 1 Ne. 11:25) Symbolizes? (word of God.) Where do we find the word of God? (scriptuconference reports, etc.) So the teachings found in the scriptures will lead us where? (toChrist, exaltation) Quote #3Heavenly Father seldom commands us to read the scriptures. What are some of the termsHe uses> (search, meditate on, study, ponder, reflect upon, feast upon, treasure up

See 1 Ne. 8:20 Symbolizes? (keeping covenants of the gospel) How do we get on this path?(baptism, gift of Holy Ghost) How do we stay on it? (Obedience to the word of God, holding

the rod) See John 14:6) Quote #4See 1 Ne. 12:17). Symbolize? (Temptations of the devil: blind us & harden our hearts)Quote #5-I like how Elder Wirthlin describes these mists

See 1 Ne. 8:26-27), 12:18. Symbolizes? (vain imagination and pride)Quote #6Quote #7Next Lehi sees 4 groups of people:

~Group 1: (1 Ne., 8:22) Were they baptized? How do we know? (commenced in the path) What hap-pened to them? (mists of darkness, wandered off)

~Group 2: (8:24) Were they baptized? Did they make it through the mists? Did they eat the fruit? Whathappened, then? (ashamed, peer pressure caused them to fall away. Notice the more knowledge, theharder the fall. They didnt just wander off)

~Group 3: (8:30) Baptized? Hold to rod? (continually) Eat fruit? (fell down=humility) Heed people inbuilding? (no) They made it!~Group 4: (8:31) Baptized? (no) Without the word of God, what is the only thing they can do? (Feel

their way and wander. ) What happened to them? (Drowned in depths of hell) So can we progresswithout the guidance of the scriptures and prophets? What about the many who never find the path,who never hear the message of the restored gospel? (taught in Spirit World, temple ordinances)

Bear testimony...

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Lesson 3: "The Vision of the Tree of Life"