1 Nephi 8:1-10

In this chapter, we begin to see and discuss a special dream that Lehi had. However, Nephi takes an opportunity here to say that when they were traveling in the wilderness, they collected seeds of fruit and grain of every kind. This shows us that they were farmers and not specifically hunters, but they do hunt at times. Since they traveled in the wilderness, these seeds would be used when they settled somewhere. It would have to be the promised land.

Lehi says one day that he has seen a vision. I imagine that no one was surprised at this, but I think that Nephi, and perhaps Sam, were eager to hear more, especially when Lehi says that he has cause to rejoice because of them. However, Laman and Lemuel were in for some lecturing because he said that he feared for them. After this, he immediately starts the description of the events of the dream.

He sees a dark and dreary wilderness. Then a man came dressed in a white robe and told Lehi to follow him. I'm sure it was a heavenly being, but I'm not sure which one. Was it an angel? Was it Jesus Christ? Was it the Holy Ghost? I think that Nephi expounds more on this person later. I think that if the wilderness was dark and dreary, then this white-dressed man would have been a stark contrast to the surroundings, a light in the darkness. Yet, after he follows him, he says that he traveled in the darkness for many hours. Was the white-robed man still there, leading? Was Lehi still following him, but could do nothing else?

Lehi then prays for the Lord's mercy from the feelings of being in a dark and dreary wilderness. Then Lehi sees a large and spacious field, and a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. This is where we will end today. Tomorrow we will talk more about the fruit and other descriptions of the dream. For now, I have found a couple of depictions of the dream that will be up for interpretation in the next few days as the dream is discussed here.

This stone carving was found in Izapa, which is on the Pacific side of Mexico directly southwest of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is believed to have been made somewhere from 300 B.C. to A.D. 50. A sketch is also given to help with clarity. There is nothing official about the amazing similarities between the stone and the dream descriptions, but it is interesting to think about.

The other depiction was by a painter named Greg Olsen. We shall see how much he got right, too.