Symbolism: Lehi’s dream covers the whole range of human reactions: from the cautious to the righteous to the unrighteous. This segment of the vision shows the unrighteous, who are following the wrong path to the wrong destination. It is interesting that some drown in the fountain, the first negative association with water in this vision. Nephi’s vision expands this association, which counters the traditional association that water is associated with the tree of life and, in some accounts, life-restoring. Clearly the water in Lehi’s vision does not save. Possibly water serves as a metaphor for a place without a path.
Variant: In the original manuscript the multitudes are pressing their way, not feeling their way. Oliver Cowdery misread the word in preparing the printer’s manuscript, and all printed editions have used feeling. Skousen also notes that the rest of the text is consistent in describing the multitudes as pressing (1 Ne. 8:21, 24, 30).