Fountain of Living Water- 1 Nephi 11

We must continue on with the “tree of life” vision that Nephi saw because there is a lot more symbolism that needs to be addressed.  

If we were to jump ahead in our reading of the Book of Mormon we would see many times where Nephi teaches principles that he learned because of this vision he was shown.   A significant detail is revealed about Jesus Christ in 2 Nephi 25, as Nephi gives commentary on the words of Isaiah from the previous Isaiah chapters contained in that book. I believe he learned this particular detail from what he was shown in this earlier vision.

Look for what Nephi specifically draws our attention to about Christ in the following verse:

2 Nephi 25:12 But, behold, they shall have wars, and rumors of wars; and when the day cometh that the Only Begotten of the Father, yea, even the Father of heaven and of earth, shall manifest himself unto them in the flesh, behold, they will reject him, because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the stiffness of their necks.

An important thing Nephi specifically wants us to know is that Christ is the Only Begotten of the Father.   I repeat, Christ was begotten of The Father. The definition for the word begat, or begotten, is typically that of bringing a child into existence by the process of reproduction; to procreate as the father or sire.  I believe it is literally that. 

In a talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson titled “Five Marks of the Divinity of Jesus Christ”, the same idea is discussed. 

President Benson states:

There are those who would seek to convince you that the divine birth of Christ as proclaimed in the New Testament was not a divine birth at all—nor was Mary, the Virgin girl, a virgin at the time of Jesus’ conception. They would have you believe that Joseph, the foster-father of Jesus, was His physical father, and that Jesus was, therefore, human in all His attributes and characteristics. They appear generous in their praise of Him when they say that He was a great moral philosopher, perhaps even the greatest. But the intent of their effort is to repudiate the divine sonship of Jesus; for on that doctrine rest all other claims of Christianity.

I am bold to say to you young people tonight: Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The body in which He performed His mission in the flesh was sired by that same Holy Being we worship as God, our Eternal Father. He was not the son of Joseph, nor was He begotten by the Holy Ghost. He is the Son of the Eternal Father!

It seems very clear to me… but how did Nephi know?  Again, just as Nephi knew the symbolism of the divine feminine was the tree, I believe he also understood the symbolism for “living water”.  

There is something very particular about Nephi’s vision that was lacking in the retelling of Lehi’s vision. In Lehi’s vision we are told that Nephi remembered his father speaking of a fountain of water that flowed into a river.  This fountain was located in the opposite direction of the tree. What either Lehi or Nephi neglected to mention is that this fountain and river were filthy, and that there was another fountain in the vision too.

Look for where the other fountain is.

1 Nephi 11:25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God.

It is interesting to notice that the water, specifically the fountain or head of the waters, and the tree are in the same place, or are referred to as one thing.  Both become a representation of “the love of God”.   The fountain of living waters and the tree together produce the fruit, which is desirable above all other fruit.  

According to specific Kabbalistic traditions and early oral traditional rabbinical teachings, the “living waters”, and light for that matter, can be equated with “male sexual energy, specifically as semen”.  It is a life force that flows among and animates the world.  (Source: A Guide to the Zohar by Arthur Green) I believe Nephi would have understood very clearly what “living waters” would have represented. 

Conversely, let us consider the other water referred to in the vision, that of the fountain of filthy water.  It did not have a tree connected with it.  It produced nothing.  It became a representation of the depths of hell, or damnation.

1 Nephi 12:16 And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw; yea, even the river of which he spake; and the depths thereof are the depths of hell.

The location of this fountain of filthy water is in the polar opposite direction of the fountain of living waters, and the tree. It has no life giving energy to it at all; in fact it took life as “many were drowned in the depths of the fountain”.

When we look at the symbolism of what living water represents it is no wonder that, according to Jewish tradition, the “font” was a feminine entity, or a receptacle for the living waters.  Guess what…. the tabernacle, or temple itself was also considered a feminine entity.

There is simply so much to ponder…

What Lehi Knew About The Jews- 1 Nephi 9-10

We interrupt this dream to interject some personal commentary.  That is exactly what Chapter 9 of 1 Nephi is.  It is the personal touch Nephi adds to his record to make sure we understand that it is HIS record, and that he was commanded to make the account according to HIS perspective.  I know that I keep hammering that idea home, but it is a very important one to understand.  Just like Mormon interjects his own personal commentary in the parts of The Book of Mormon he abridged, in chapter 9 Nephi has done the same.  

Then beginning in Chapter 10, as Nephi continues recording what his father saw in his vision, Nephi makes sure we understand that  the need for relating the dream to us  is because it effects the details of his own account which is to follow.  

Part of Lehi’s visionary history that is often overlooked is the fact that he probably saw everything from the “beginning to the end” concerning his posterity, much like the other prophets of old which we study in the scriptures.  This is subtly told to us as through Nephi’s account of his father’s teachings.  He begins by giving Lehi’s account of what will happen to the Jews who were left behind in Jerusalem. 

Lehi told them that the Jews would be scattered, and then gathered again.

1 Nephi 10:3 That after they should be destroyed, even that great city Jerusalem, and many be carried away captive into Babylon, according to the own due time of the Lord, they should return again, yea, even be brought back out of captivity; and after they should be brought back out of captivity they should possess again the land of their inheritance.

Lehi explained that the Messiah would come, and when.

4 Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.

Lehi explained the NEED for the Messiah, which was not truly understood by the people of Jerusalem.

6 Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.

Lehi prophesied about John the Baptist and his ministry. (vs. 7-10)

Lehi explained that the Jews would not understand the gospel which the Messiah would preach and because of their unbelief they would kill the Messiah. (vs. 11)

Lehi then taught that the Messiah would rise from the dead, at which time he would manifest himself to the Gentiles by the Holy Ghost. (vs.11)

Lehi then quite possibly related the “Allegory of the Olive Tree”, which was recorded by the prophet Zenos, to his sons in an attempt to help them understand their place in all that was happening.  The language is too similar to ignore. (vs. 12-15) I believe he wanted them to understand the reason that they were brought to this “land of promise” was so that they could help the House of Israel not only come to a knowledge of the Redeemer, but to help them understand their personal need for one. He wanted them to know what role their posterity would play as the “righteous branch” or the remnant that would save the world in the last days.  

Did they all fully understand exactly what Lehi was trying to teach to them about their calling in the Lord’s work?  Do we understand what ours is today? We have been given the same information as they were given through this account which was recorded by Nephi.  What must we do to understand? Is it any different for us then it was for them?  

I love Nephi because he knew the process of enlightenment is the same for everybody. He works very hard to help us come to understand our “calling” in the same way he came to understand his.  

As we continue to study The Book of Mormon we need to be aware of what Nephi is really trying to help us understand, the process of knowing. 

Section 76: Lehi's Dream of The Tree of Life

In an effort to picture in our mind exactly what Lehi might have been shown in the “Tree of Life Vision” we have a tendency to limit our perspective to the physical items that he describes he saw.

For example he saw a large and spacious field (vs. 9 & 20), a tree with fruit (vs. 10-11), a river of water (vs. 13), a rod of iron (vs. 14), a strait and narrow path (vs. 20), a fountain (vs. 20), and a great and spacious building (vs. 26).  Many artists have given their interpretation or rendition of this scene in various types of mediums.   Each is only an opinion drawn by what they read in Nephi’s account. 

Looking beyond the items in the vision, I would like to concentrate on the groups of people that Nephi remembers being told about.  In an effort to compartmentalize the groups of people that are spoken of in Lehi’s Dream I have made a comparison of Lehi’s Vision with the Vision which was recorded in Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants.  The similarities are stunning.  

The first group of people is seen in 1 Nephi 8:21-23.   

Look for what the people were doing:

21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.

 22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

 23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

This group of people started on the path and moved forward.  They did not however take hold of the “iron rod”, either because they did not know to, or they chose not to, and when the “mists of darkness” came, they wandered off and got lost.  In my mind I compared them to the description of those who inherit terrestrial glory.  

See if you can see any similarities:

Section 76: 72-75

72 Behold, these are they who died without law; (no iron rod)

73 And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh;

74 Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. (never actually partook of the fruit)

75 These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. (mists of darkness clouded their way)

The next group of people is spoken of in 1 Nephi 8: 24-28. 

Look for what this group of people is doing:

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

 25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

 26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

 27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

Can you guess which particular group this describes?

Section 76:35-36

35 Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame.  ( remember they actually ate the fruit)

36 These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels—(fell away to forbidden paths and were lost)

The third group described is found in 1 Nephi 8:30. 

Look for what this group is doing:

30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

I love how he explains that this group “fell down” before they partook of the fruit.  In my mind I picture the position of ultimate worship being performed here.

Likewise the vision in Section 76 records:

51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— (fell down, partook of the fruit)

 52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;

 53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.

The last group described is found in 1 Nephi 8:31-32. 

Look for what this group is doing:

31 And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.

32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.

This group never even made it to the path at all. They were drowned in the fountain from the very beginning or lost from view, wandering strange roads.  They only knew the great and spacious building as their goal, they didn’t even desire the fruit, or work towards the tree. 

Section 76: 81-82 shows a great representation of this group of people. 

81 And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament.

 82 These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. (no path, no rod, no tree, no fruit)

Joseph Smith explained that only a small portion of what they were shown in vision, which makes up Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants, could even be recorded.  Likewise Nephi tells us that he “does not speak all the words” of his father.  These two visions were so intricate that we have been given only the tip of the iceberg of what they actually were taught by the Lord regarding our post-mortal probation.  I believe to understand it more fully we must be taught directly from the Lord, as these men illustrate is possible.  

I believe that Section 76 and the “Tree of Life” Vision are literally the same thing, told in different ways.  

Lehi's Dream 1 Nephi 8

Probably one of the most discussed topics, when it comes to The Book of Mormon, is Lehi’s Dream.  Since the abridgment of Lehi’s account of the Tree of Life Dream, or Vision, made by Mormon is part of the translation that was lost, the only account we have today is what Nephi felt impressed to write about regarding his father’s dream.  I think it is important to keep that in mind as we study what Nephi recorded, of the things he remembered, that his father told them he saw.  

Later, when Nephi desires to know for himself the meaning of the things his father saw, we discover a more in depth view of what Lehi might have really seen, but the first account we are given in 1 Nephi Chapter 8 is simply Nephi’s perspective of what transpired.

With that in mind, can you figure out what might have weighed most heavily on Nephi’s heart and mind?