The Tree of Life - The Love of God

Our family Christmas theme last year (2019) centered on Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life. Over the years, the Tree of Life has been of significant symbolic value to me personally, particularly since the death of my daughter Ellie about 5 years ago. I don't like to admit it, but at times I have to acknowledge that seeking out the cultural, historical and doctrinal significance of the Tree of Life, has become part of a larger obsession to seek out God the Father, and God the Son - in my ongoing quest for knowledge of the meaning and purpose of our mortal existence and the prospect of eternal life. There are hundreds of beautiful depictions of the Tree of Life in artform from various world cultures and religions, and throughout the ages.

I have had many quiet moments of pondering both Lehi's and Nephi's descriptions of the same vision, over the years. Last year, as part of our Church-wide Come Follow Me - New Testament studies, I was surprised to find more parallels to the Tree of Life, in the words of the apostles. I also found many other parallels to the Tree of Life within the Old Testament.