Wide Tree
LDS Sacrament and the Tree of Life Vision
Throughout the scriptures there are many symbolic references to trees in a wide variety. “The Tree represents not only life, regeneration, and immortality, but also, “knowledge and wisdom” and “the world or universe.” It is “the most wide spread of symbols, and in considering Christian architecture it can be regarded as second only to the cross.” (I Have Dreamed A Dream, Swift, Charles A., April 2003, P.173) In the Garden of Eden two trees are spoken of specifically: the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. In conjunction with these two trees is the fruit that each one bears. Both types of fruit had an effect on those who partook of it. That effect was dependent on, or in relation to, their current state or condition. Partaking of the fruit of the tree of life was offered freely as long as the partaker was clear of wrongdoing. “And I, the Lord God, commanded the man, saying: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat, nevertheless thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee” (Moses 3:16-17).
It wasn’t until Adam and Eve had partaken of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil that partaking of the fruit of the tree of life was forbidden of the Lord. “Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lord God placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit-And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent and serve God. For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever,
49according to the word of God, having no space for repentance” (Alma 42:3-5). Had Adam and Eve partaken of the fruit of the tree of life immediately after their transgression, they would have lived forever in their sins and would have died a second or spiritual death. This was because the tree of life was to be partaken of in a pure and sinless state (life here means the partaking of eternal life or exaltation). We read in Moses 6:57 that “no unclean thing can dwell in his presence,” or, in this case, no unclean thing is worthy to partake of the rewards connected with exalted associations. This implies that if Adam and Eve had partaken of the fruit of the tree of life unworthily, they would have sealed themselves up to an eternal inheritance based on the transgressed state they were in at the time-an infinite state away from the presence of God the Father. (See Alma 42:5).
Many references to the tree of life can be interpreted as being a representation of Jesus Christ Himself. This use of a tree as a metaphor to teach and instruct man is revisited in many ways throughout the scriptures. The use of the symbolic fruit tree signifies that the tree is a central source of nourishment without which no life could be sustained.
So it is with various fruits mentioned in the scriptures and the trees from which they spring forth-the works and powers of God are symbolically implied, and it is by these fruits that we receive nourishment and other sustaining blessings.
From time to time as we study the scriptures, passages read previously take on new meanings. I read the stories surrounding Lehi and Nephi with respect to the visions they had of the tree of life. Nephi’s account gives additional insight as he was allowed to share with us certain interpretations of the vision.
In1 Nephi chapter 11 Nephi gives the following interpretations to the symbols of his father’s vision:
-The tree: the love of God (v. 21).
-The rod of iron: the word of God (v.25).
-The fountain of living waters: also a representation of the love of God (v. 25).
-The great and spacious building: the pride of the world and all its wisdom (vv. 35-36).
The Savior has described Himself as “living waters” (Jeremiah 2:13) on multiple occasions, with Christ Himself being the source. This was often accompanied by the promise that those who would partake of those waters would never thirst. Elder Neal A Maxwell stated, “
The love of God for His children is most profoundly expressed in His gift of Jesus as our Redeemer: ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son’ (John 3:16). To partake of the love of God is to partake of Jesus’ Atonement and the emancipations and joys which it can bring” (Ensign, November 1999, p. 6). Therefore we can draw the parallel that the tree of life represented the love of God, as Nephi was taught, and the appearance of the fountain of living waters is also a symbolic representation of Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
The Rod of Iron can be considered a variety of ways. On one level, “word” can mean the teachings of the prophets and apostles along with the words of eternal life found in scripture. The rod could also be a representation of Christ as is referred to in John 1:1-4, Revelation 19:13, and Mosiah 3:17. As John refers to Christ as the word made flesh; in Mosiah we read that no one is able to come to salvation but through Christ. This comes together in considering that no one was able to come to the tree of life accept by the rod of iron – by Jesus Christ. Thus we see that all symbols in the tree of life vision have some reference to Christ himself just as all symbols of our modern day sacrament have reference to the Savior and his atonement.
Alma seemed to be aware of some correlation between the tree of life and the sacrament. In Alma 5:34 we see this correlating invitation between the partaking of the sacrament and partaking of the fruit of the tree of life as taught in this vision; “Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely.” This scripture alludes to a parallel between partaking of the fruit of the tree of life and partaking of hallowed bread and water.
As the partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life brought about the blessings of the atonement, namely to be made clean and enjoy celestial glory, so the same has been said of the sacrament. In John 6:54 it reads, “Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” The promises are the same, the warnings against improper partaking are the same, and in many ways historically, the two are a recognition and partaking of the blessings of Christ’s atonement.
For further insights into the LDS Sacrament, the Tree of Life, and the power of this sacred ordinance, read the book Tree of Sacrament by Nick Galieti – available from Eborn Books.
About the Author
Nick Galieti is an LDS documentary film maker, and author of the book Tree of Sacrament, focused on the Sacrament as partaken by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The LDS doctrinal/devotional book Tree of Sacrament deals with the subject of the Sacrament as it relates to the Tree of Life as recorded in the Book Of Mormon.
Scott Stapp’s acoustic performance of “Arms Wide Open” at Pregnancy Awareness Event
|
|
Dance Is The Hidden Language Of The Soul Vinyl Words for WallsDecal Quote Sticky $22.99 |
|
|
Ceramic Decals Animal Friends Christmas Tree Scene $1.95 |
|
|
Ceramic Decals Animal Friends Christmas Tree Scene $2.55 |
|
|
Ceramic Decals Animal Friends Christmas Tree Scene $3.35 |
|
|
Dance Is The Hidden Soul 9.3.x8 Vinyl Words For Walls Decal Graphic Home Wall $15.99 |
|
|
STOCK RAKE BLIND TRIPLE TREES W/ LED TURN SIGNALS fits 41MM WIDE GLIDE $189.99 |
|
|
35mm Wide-Glid Conversion Kit Triple Trees Harley $457.00 |
|
|
39mm Wide-Glide Triple Tree Conversion Set Chrome $462.00 |
|
|
39mm Wide-Glide Triple Tree Conversion Set Chrome $462.00 |
|
|
39mm Wide-Glide Triple Tree Conversion Set- Black $462.00 |
|
|
39mm Wide-Glide Triple Tree Conversion Set-Black Harley $462.00 |
|
|
39mm Wide-Glide Triple Tree Conversion Set- Black $462.00 |
|
|
41mm Wide-Glide Triple Tree Harley Davidson $396.00 |
|
|
41mm Wide-Glide Triple Tree Harley Davidson $357.00 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Bare Tree Panels Vinyl Wall Art Home Decor Graphic Decals Stickers 1214 $29.99 |
|
|
Thermos Stainless King SK3000MBTRI4 Food Jar, Midnight Blue $16.26 STAINLESS KING FOOD JAW WITH SPOON THERMAX(R) DOUBLE WALL VACUUM INSULATION FOR MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE RETENTION HOT OR COLDUNBREAKABLE STAINLESS STEEL INTERIOR & EXTERIOREXTRA WIDE MOUTH IS EASY TO FILL SERVE FROM & CLEANCOOL TO THE TOUCH WITH HOT LIQUIDS SWEAT-PROOF WITH COLDCOMPACT & INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL SERVING BOWLFULL-SIZE TELESCOPING STAINLESS STEEL SPOONKEEPS CONTENTS COLD FOR 9 HOURS & … |
|
|
Cupcake Snap 4-Tier Square Simple Cupcake Stand and Dessert Tower $16.33 Shelves are 5mm washable PVC. Bottom Tier is 12 x 12 inches, 10 x 10 inches, Middle Tier is 8 x 8 inches, Top Tier is 6 x 6 inches. Measures 14 inches tall. Firm traction on any surface silicone rubber feet. Center of the cupcake stand is 1 inch white pvc, great for candy or other treats. Our 4 tier cupcake stand will hold approximately 80 mini cupcakes or 40+ regular size cupcakes…. |
|
|
Cupcaketree Large Round Cupcake Stands for Weddings – Original 5-tier cupcake stand holds up to 300 Cupcakes. $41.95 The Original Large Round Cupcaketree cupcake stand is a versatile and affordable alternative to traditional cakes. Perfect for larger events such as weddings, our Original Cupcaketree holds up to 300 cupcakes with 4″ inches in between discs. Remove the bottom tier to display 200 cupcakes. Top tier is 10″ in diameter and can hold a large cake topper up to 20 lbs. Our cupcake stands are eco friendly… |
|
|
The Unforgettable Fire (Super Deluxe Edition 2CD+DVD) $27.82 Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 10/27/2009… |
|
|
Boy Named Goo $2.23 Having undergone numerous not-so-subtle musical transformations since their first album in 1989, the Goo Goo Dolls have matured into a powerful trio that seems to instinctively know its way around a catchy tune. With vocalist Johnny’s Paul Westerberg-influenced delivery and songs packed with exciting dynamics, the Goo Goo Dolls have really hit their stride. However, the stride they’ve hit is prob… |
|
|
Backspacer $3.86 Deluxe edition features two full concert downloads! 2009 release from Eddie Vedder and the boys, their ninth album overall. For Backspacer, the lasting Grunge rockers decided to do it big. They left label J Records and decided to release to album themselves, since the certainly have enough money to do that. They also hooked up with ’90s Alternative Rock producer du jour Brendan O’Brien (Korn, Bruc… |
|
|
The Fountain (Widescreen Edition) $2.81 Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who labored for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky’s real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film’s three settings–16th century Europe and America (Ja… |
|
|
Rain $19.95 Enjoy the rain, without getting wet… Now you can sit back and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of the rain – without getting wet. Films of the rain in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres show the beauty of nature in wetter climates to both calm and cool you. Walk through gardens filled with colorful flowers and bright green palm leaves newly washed by tropical rains. Explore the rugge… |
|
|
I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning $1.99 … |
|
|
GUM Go Betweens Proxabrush Refills, Wide, 8-Count Packages (Pack of 6) $11.66 No. 1 interdental brand. Recommended most often by dental professionals. Nylon coated wire. Available in cylindrical and tapered for wider spaces. Made in USA…. |