The Tree By Which I Stood

I was struck by a phrase that is repeated three times in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life as I read 1 Nephi 8 morning. Lehi related to his family what happened after he arrived at the tree and partook of the fruit. He said, “And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.” Three times in these verses he referred to “the tree by which I stood,” and it was from that vantage point that he beckoned to his family to come and join him. I think that this statement teaches us that once we find the tree, we should stay there and stand by it. Lehi did not go off exploring just to check and see if the great and spacious building had anything interesting to see. He stood by the tree of life, representing the love of God. Likewise, we should not let the distractions of the world divert our attention and lead us away somewhere else outside the gospel. Happiness is found at the tree with the fruit, and from there we can invite others to also come and partake as Lehi did: “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” (1 Nephi 8:15, 19-21).

               Over a decade ago Elder Kevin Pearson spoke in general conference about the idea of staying by the tree. He taught, “Lehi’s message is to stay by the tree. We stay because we are converted unto the Lord. Alma taught, ‘Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God.’ As we yield our hearts to God, the Holy Ghost changes our very natures, we become deeply converted unto the Lord, and we no longer seek the spacious building…. True disciples continue to awaken unto God each day in meaningful personal prayer, earnest scripture study, personal obedience, and selfless service. Stay by the tree and stay awake…. Brothers and sisters, enduring to the end is the great test of discipleship. Our daily discipleship will determine our eternal destiny. Awaken unto God, cling to truth, keep your sacred temple covenants, and stay by the tree!” To figuratively stay by the tree means that we keep the commandments even when it is not popular. But to stay by the tree is not a hardship, for that is where the fruit is that is “desirable above all other fruit!” The world would have us believe that there is better fruit elsewhere and try to make us ashamed for our commitment to Jesus Christ and His gospel. But when we stray from the tree after we have tasted of the fruit, we will find that we “[fall] away into forbidden paths and [are] lost.” To stand by the tree as Lehi did, we must “heed them not” when the world does “point the finger of scorn” at us for partaking of the fruit (1 Nephi 8:28, 33). In our dispensation, the Lord invited us to remain faithful with these words, “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8). The best place to be in these difficult last days is to stand in holy places—figuratively by the tree of life that represents the Savior and His love for us.