“In response to the inquiry of his brothers … 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; 3:22–24). … The tree was a symbolic representation of Christ, its fruits symbolizing the saving principles of his gospel” (McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary, 1:120).