I
have written a question in the margin of my scriptures that I chose to pursue
this morning: The waters of life are
freely offered; but the tree of life is guarded by Cheribum and the flaming
sword. What’s that all about?
As
I searched the “Waters of life”, I learned it is a representation of the love of
God (1 Nephi 11:25). We can feel that
love freely at our own will. This same
verse says the “tree of life” was also a representation of the love of
God. Is it the same tree of life being
protected in the Garden of Eden?
So
how do we freely partake of the waters of life?
In D&C 63:23 we are told “But unto him that keepeth my commandments
I will give the mysteries of my
kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto
everlasting life.” This is something I
have some experience in. Prior to my
commitment to change my life and live in accordance with the Father’s will, I
can’t say I felt anything – love or lack of love. I was devoid of feeling, but rather just
going through life one day at a time doing nothing of any real
significance. However, the very minute I
turned my life around, I felt this overwhelming feeling of love. I didn’t know at the time that I was
partaking of the water of life – and I might add “freely”. I was soaking it up like a dry sponge. I couldn’t go to enough meetings; I couldn’t
read enough scriptures. I couldn’t talk
about the things I was learning to anyone who would engage in a conversation
enough! I was hungry to say the
least! My repentance process was not
instantaneous but rather an ongoing thing.
As I learned, there were things I needed to correct. As I did so, I felt more love. It was a wonderful time in my life.
I’ve
been told that whenever we read the word “mystery” in the scriptures, we can
assume they are talking of the things we learn in the temple. It is in the temple we are taught the
mysteries of heaven. It wasn’t until I
received my own endowments in the temple that I began to feel some satisfaction
in the learning process. I was partaking
of the waters of life freely – finally!
So
where does this leave me with my question of the “tree of life” being protected
by Cheribum and the flaming sword? I
will take a stab at it, but I could still be taught on this subject. Had Adam and Eve partaken of the fruit of the
tree of life immediately after partaking of the forbidden fruit, they would
have missed out on the process – the process of repentance, learning,
correcting and growth. It is in this
process that we are strengthened in our testimonies and eventually become fit
for the Kingdom of God. They would have
missed out totally on this process and been as little children in the
gospel. It is our life’s experiences,
our mistakes that we correct, and feeling of the Love of God as we do so that will
eventually bring us back to our Heavenly Father. This sounds right to me.
I’m
so grateful for the gift of repentance and the opportunity of growth it brings
in our lives. It is those painful
experiences that are etched eternally in my heart and mind that keep me firmly
planted and will eventually lead me to the presence of my Heavenly Father and
Jesus Christ. I will be forever in debt to
my Savior for this marvelous gift!
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