In response to the inquiry of his brothers as to the meaning of the tree seen by their father in his dream, Nephi told them that it represented the tree of life.
The tree of life was first spoken of in the creation account. It was the tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden, the fruit of which contained the power of everlasting life (Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22-24).
Writing to the seven churches in Asia, John the Revelator said, “To him that overcometh ” will I give to eat to the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God“ (Revelation 2:7). Having partaken of that fruit in his dream, Lehi described it as ”most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.“ (1 Nephi 8:11.)
It would appear, as noted earlier (1 Nephi 8:11), that the tree was a symbolic representation of Christ, its fruits symbolizing the saving principles of his gospel. All must partake of these fruits if they are to obtain eternal life (see Revelation 22:14).”