1 Nephi 8

1 Nephi 8

1 Nephi 8: 1-4

gather seeds......................................preparations made for their long journey
dreamed a dream, vision............................Hebraism, a dreamer or visionary working within his calling
Nephi and Sam and children........................Lehi receives comfort about two of his sons
Laman and Lemuel................................very distraught over the message of the other 2 sons
dark and dreary....................................the symbolism surrounding the families of Laman and Lemuel

The prophet Lehi receives a message concerning the future spiritual welfare of his family

1 Nephi 8: 5-18

saw a man................................................in the dream, Lehi visited by angel messenger
bade me follow...........................................instruction to pay attention, to follow
journey in darkness...................................sees a lot of unsettling images
prays for delivery........................................the prophet looks for promising imagery.  Disturbed
sees a field.....................................................a wide open are,  immediate answer
tree and fruit...............................................Lehi sees a much different image,  something desirable
did partake............................................Lehi enjoying the better future, very happy with it
concern for family.....................................symbolically Lehi receives the promise.  Wants it for his family
cast eyes..............................................tries to locate his family.  Makes efforts to understand family
tree and river...........................................more symbolism, not explained
sees wife, 2 sons............................................Lehi sees a division within his family
call to join.............................................Lehi invites his family to enjoy the fruit
they do...................................................Indicates the believing side of his family
Laman, Lemuel, would not come.........................different response from the other children

In Lehi's vision, he receives spiritual confirmation and warning about the state and future of his family.  This manifestation both pleases him and deeply disturbs him.  Some of his family receives Eternal life, but some fail and don't desire it.

Nephi 8: 19-28

rod of iron......................................a "highway" to the fruit
straignt and narrow way that leads......................................the correct use of the rod leads men to eternal life.
numberless concourse...........................the vision is enlarged.  The key components apply to all people
did come forward..................................likewise, all men come forward and receive the test
mist of darkness........................................the common experience, men manuever the darkness
some cling to the end.................................many people cling to the path and arrive to the correct place
partake and look around...................................many enjoy, they look around,  why?  different answers
spacious building........................................symbolizes the reaction of many men to contrast with those who arrive
were ashamed........................................wrong response for someone who receives the fruit,  apostasy
filled with people, fake behavior.............................the building is not filled with genuine believers.  facades
fell away..............................................those who join this group are lost.  Deluded with their achievements.

Many people are tricked and fooled by the temptations of wealth and related "successes."  If not grounded in the gospel of Christ, they become all involved in the floating building and end up falling from the protections of the spirit.

1 Nephi 8: 29-34

multitudes................................................those who find the gospel are many
many go to the building......................................these two divisions are very large, perhaps the 2 biggest categories.
Many drowned.....................................some do not acheieve arrival in either category
did point and sorned.................................Many of those who get to the building are very accusatory and persuasive
those who heeded.....................................those who follow the way to the great building are lost

Those who choose the worldly goal are the most easily lost.  People move that direction and become lost before they even arrive.  Others arrive, and become deluded at that point.  They stand in stark contrast to those who choose and remain faithful to the gospel

1 Nephi 8: 35-38

Laman and Lemuel.......................................do not choose the fruit,  Responses upset Lehi
fears for them............................................Lehi uses the dream to warn his sons.  Shares his dream vision
exhorts with feeling......................................so disturbed that he takes tremendous care to teach them

Lehi centers on those who need the teaching most.  He attempts to change the warnings that seem to come from his vision.  The future of Laman and Lemuel are really disturbing to their father

1 Nephi 8

Nephi learns in a dream how the choices made by men and women as they encounter the choices of life will alter their futures.  If men choose the good and stay in that way they arrive at the fruit of eternal life.  If they hearken to the other voices and promises, it pulls them from the right way and compromise their futures.  Lehi is particularly disturbed by the prophetic message of his own family.  As a prophet he uses the message immediately to teach his family.