Lehi has gathered his family around to recount a marvelous vision he had in a dream. He was led through a wilderness by an angelic being until he reached a tree filled with wonderful fruit.
12. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.
What immediately strikes me about this verse is the desire Lehi has to share this joy with his family. It’s not enough for him to be filled with such happiness—he must share it with those he loves. This is one earmark of a truly loving husband and father.
13. And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a river of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.
14. And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi, and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.
Sariah, Sam and Nephi didn’t know which way they should go, but they were looking. This is the main difference at this point between the righteous and the unrighteous in the dream—the righteous know that there’s something out there and they need to find it, whereas the spiritual sensitivities of the unrighteous have been so dulled, they aren’t aware that they are missing something from their lives. It’s almost as if they are saying, “Tree? What tree?”
15. And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.
16. And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.
Because these three had been looking, as soon as they heard Lehi’s voice, they came and partook. They didn’t need to make a decision, they just knew. The Spirit will tell us when we are hearing the true voice and when we are being misled by the other voices that would lead us astray.
17. And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.
18. And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit.
Because of the years Laman and Lemuel have spent ignoring and even ridiculing their father, they do not heed his voice as quickly as the other members of the family. They also don’t recognize their need for the fruit, and are excusing themselves with all kinds of self-justification. In their eyes, they are perfectly fine and have no need for repentance or to come unto Christ.
We will continue with Lehi’s dream tomorrow. In the meantime, you can visit these related blogs: