Nephi’s memory of his father’s dream influences his perception in the vision that follows. It begins with the Spirit commanding Nephi to look, which shifts Nephi’s attention from the messenger to the vision, a technique repeated in verses 12 and 13.
Nephi describes the tree, adding his own perceptions to his memory of Lehi’s description. In the natural world, a white tree with white fruit would be abnormal, not beautiful, but this one certainly struck its viewers with admiration and desire. As already noted, the whiteness of the tree is associated with the white light surrounding personages of divine power and glory, as the following parallels show:
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matt. 17:2; emphasis mine)
And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof. (3 Ne. 19:25)
Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was glorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like lightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was afraid; but the fear soon left me. (JS—H 1:32)
The celestial glory manifests itself on this earth only in terms of light and whiteness. This is the context in which we should see the whiteness of the tree and the fruit. Consequently, it becomes apparent why Lehi and Nephi immediately felt drawn to it; it spoke directly to their soul of the glory and joy of the celestial world.