1 Nephi 11 – Have I Seen?

It started in verse 8 as I was reading this chapter.  I had the thought/question:  Have I seen the tree Nephi speaks of?  That shifted the way I was reading this chapter in a way that I’ve not experienced before. 

V11 – As I was “coming back” from a 9-year hiatus in my spiritual growth, I began to notice.  I began to see what others had and it was precious.  I began to desire these things, which led me to see other things.  I began to see the corruptness of the world I was living in and I wanted nothing to do with it.  As I began to see these things, it was as if someone was asking me what I wanted, and then moved me in the direction that would allow these things.  I began to see the Savior as a significant person in my life and the source of happiness I so desired.  I began to feel His love for me.  I could see the love of God was the “most joyous to the soul” (v23).  I began to see that the word of God (aka scriptures) increased my ability to feel this love.  The more I read the more I wanted to read and I could not drink fast enough.  Have I seen the tree?  Yes!  It is the love of God and I have felt it in abundance (v25).

As Nephi continues to observe and relate his experience, he mentions that after he “saw”, he “bear record” (v36) of these things.  It is the responsibility of those who have seen to go forth and bear witness.  It is a process, and I long to serve a mission and will do so soon.  This too is a process. 

As I read this chapter, I could see the process in a way I have not seen it before.  We have our own vision of the Tree of Life as we enter the fold.  First, we see something that attracts our attention.  I believe it is usually the happiness of those who are already partaking.  This requires in us the ability to avoid the “Large and Spacious Building” that is the pride of the world and humble ourselves to go down into the waters of baptism and become clean.  In so doing, we make covenants to follow our Savior and the path that will lead to our salvation.  What a beautiful process!  How grateful I am for the gift of repentance and the Savior’s Atonement that allow us to return after we have wandered from this path.  I have complete faith this path is available to all of God’s children.  And that faith makes the fruit of the tree even more enjoyable.  Just like I don’t enjoy sitting down alone to a table with a feast set before me, feasting on the Love of God without my family with me although wonderful beyond description, will not be the same as it will be when I have my children there enjoying this feast with me. That is why Lehi was calling to his family.  That is why I must continue to do the same.