Teaching moments: New perspective
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Note: This is the first installment in a new Church News series called "Teaching Moments." As with the other "Moments" features, readers are invited to submit personal experiences to be considered for publication in future installments of this series.
In a gospel doctrine class some 20 years ago, the discussion centered on Lehi's vision of the tree of life. I was familiar with the various physical elements contained in the vision: the tree, the fruit, the path leading to the tree, the rod of iron to keep us on the path, the mists of darkness causing some to lose their way, the fountain of water, the great and spacious building, the deep gulf separating the tree and the building.
I was also aware of the different groups of people represented: those who had partaken of the fruit and of their desire for others to also reach the tree, people on the path and clinging to the rod of iron, people in the great and spacious building pointing fingers and mocking those at the tree and on the path, the change of heart of some who had reached the tree and were embarrassed by the scoffing of those in the building, those overcome by the mists of darkness and losing their way, some fallen into the gulf, some drowned in the fountain.
I thought I had a sound understanding of the vision until the teacher, John H. Mabey, made a statement that gave me a new insight into deeper personal meanings. (Brother Mabey is a retired seminary teacher and a sealer at the Jordan River Utah Temple.)
He said, "Lehi's vision is more than just an interesting story. It represents our journey in mortality. Every person on earth is somewhere in that vision. Our place in the vision may change as we go through life. The important question is: Where are we in the vision now, and in which direction are we going?"
That statement gave me a new perspective on applying the scriptures in our lives. Since that class I have referred to it in subsequent discussions on the vision. — Clifford Alldredge, South Jordan, Utah
