In that vision he saw—
That vision is the central message of the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon is in truth another testament of Jesus Christ
(Boyd K. Paker, Ensign, May 1986, p. 61)
Interpretation of Lehi’s Vision
| Symbol | Interpretation | Examples Given |
| Dark and dreary waste ( 8:7) | ||
| Large and spacious field ( 8:9, 20) | The world ( 8:20) | |
| Tree (8:10); also called “tree of life” (11:25; 15:21–22) | Love of God ( 11:21–22) | The coming of the Son of God ( 11:13–22) |
| The fruit of the tree ( 8:11–12) | ||
| River of water ( 8:13); also called “fountain of filthy water” (12:16) | Hell and the depths thereof ( 12:16; 15:26–36) | Wickedness and war |
| Rod of iron ( 8:19) | The word of God ( 11:25; 15:23–25) | The ministry of the Son of God ( 11:24–25) |
| Mist of darkness ( 8:23) | Temptations of the devil ( 12:17) | Apostasy, wickedness, war, the great abominable church, plain and precious things removed from the scriptures ( 12:19–23; 13:1–9, 20–29) |
| Great and spacious building ( 8:26) | The pride, wisdom, and vain imaginations of the world ( 11:35–36, 12:18) | The persecution of the Son of God and those who followed him ( 11:26–36) |
(Adapted from Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, p. 101.)
In addition to the symbols listed above, ponder the following questions as you read about Lehi’s dream in 1 Nephi 8:4–35:
What do you learn about the tree of life from other scriptures? (see Revelation 2:7, 22:1–6, 14; 2 Nephi 2:15; Alma 5:34).
What is the relationship between 1 Nephi 8:12 and 2 Nephi 2:25?
When Lehi partook of the fruit himself what was his first desire? (see 1 Nephi 8:12).
Does the phrase “strait and narrow path” in 1 Nephi 8:20 sound familiar? (see Matthew 7:14, 2 Nephi 31:17–19). In Lehi’s dream, what helped a person keep on this path?
Nephi later used his father’s phrase “press forward” ( 1 Nephi 8:24) in a great doctrinal discourse (see 2 Nephi 31:20). What is conveyed by this phrase?
The great and spacious building seen by Lehi, which represents the pride of the world (see 1 Nephi 11:36), was shown “in the air, high above the earth” (1 Nephi 8:26). When a building is in the air it has no foundation. How is this related to pride? Notice how often the description “lifted up” in pride is used in the scriptures (see 2 Nephi 26:20, Jacob 1:16, Mosiah 11:5, Alma 1:6, Helaman 3:34, 3 Nephi 6:10, Mormon 8:28). The great and spacious building is also related to “high-mindedness” or being “highminded” ( D&C 90:17; see also Romans 11:20, 1 Timothy 6:17), and those with pride are spoken of as being brought “down” (Isaiah 25:11, Ezekiel 30:6).
How did the people in the great and spacious building impel those pressing forward to the tree to feel ashamed? (see 1 Nephi 8:26–28).