Some Thoughts From Institute

I'm really enjoying my institute class! Each week I learn new things that I hadn't thought about in quite the same way before.


This morning we discussed Lehi sending his sons back to Jerusalem to get Ishmael's family (1 Nephi 7:1-5). Someone asked, "Why did they have to make a second trip back to Jerusalem? Why couldn't they have gotten Ishmael and his family at the same time as they were there getting the brass plates from Laban?" We discussed this for a few minutes, and a few possibilities occurred to us:

1. To test their faith and obedience. (Of course it was pointed out that Laman and Lemuel didn't complain about going back to get wives.) 
2. Getting the brass plates was a dangerous assignment. A couple times they fled for their lives, and they probably had to be ready to leave the city quickly. It would have been more difficult to leave the city quickly with an entire family in tow. 
3. They had to gain favor in Ishmael's eyes to convince him to join them. This might have been more difficult if they were concentrating on getting the plates from Laban at the same time. 
4. By the time Ishmael and his family joined them, they were fairly established in the wilderness. They had lived out there for a time and had proven that they could survive. 

Most of our time this week was spent discussing Lehi's dream, along with its symbolism (1 Nephi 8). I got to read a quote (I don't know who said it) that said: 

Lehi's dream offers many lessons central to the plan of salvation. For example, the dream can be viewed as a TYPE depicting the journey all people must make in order to "come unto Christ." Lehi was invited by a man "dressed in a white robe" to follow him. As he followed he found himself in a "dark and dreary waste." After traveling in darkness for "many hours" Lehi prayed to the Lord for MERCY, after which he was shown a beautiful tree with white fruit. After partaking of the fruit of the tree Lehi experienced great JOY and then desired to share his joy with his family (1 Nephi 8:5-12). Similarly, Christ invites all people to come follow him. As one follows Christ and learns of him and his plan, one becomes increasingly aware of his or her own mortal and fallen condition. Understanding the need to be saved from this darkness, the necessary cry is for mercy, for every person sins and needs redemption from the Fall. After the cry for mercy the Lord manifests the source of his mercy: a tree tree which is "a representation of the love of God" (1 Nephi 11:25). The greatest manifestation of this love is Jesus Christ and his atonement (John 3:16; 1 Nephi 19:9). After partaking of the Atonement, as represented by partaking of the fruit of the tree, one experiences great joy and feels a desire to share that joy with others.

I love this quote because it applies Lehi's dream to the entire human family, to the great plan of salvation, to the basic gospel. 

Another item of interest that our teacher brought up that was new to me was a similarity between the four groups of people in Lehi's dream, and the parable of the sower (or soils):

1. The Lost. These are the people who didn't bother seeking the iron rod or the tree but sought out the great and spacious building, and many were drowned and lost. (1 Nephi 8:31-32). These are the seeds that fell by the way side and were devoured by fowls. (Matthew 13:4, 19)
2. The Ashamed. These are the people who pressed forward, holding to the iron rod and tasted the fruit of the tree, but then felt ashamed and fell away. (1 Nephi 8:24, 28) These are similar to the seeds that fell in stony places, sprung up, but when the sun scorched them, they withered away. (Matthew 13:5,6,20,21)
3. The Wanderers. These are those who were seeking the path, but when the mist of darkness arose, they wandered off and were lost. (1 Nephi 8:21-23) These are the seeds that fell among thorns and were choked. (Matthew 13:7, 22)
4. The Endurers. These are the people who clung to the iron rod, who fell down (in humility and/or prayer) who partook of the fruit, and paid no heed to those who would mock them. (1 Nephi 8:30) These are the seeds that fell into good ground and brought forth fruit. (Matthew 13:8)

One last thing I'd like to share (so I'll have it somewhere to remember) is a quote by Elder Neal A Maxwell, "So it is that the laughter of the world is merely loneliness pathetically trying to reassure itself." Like those who had enjoyed the fruit of the tree of life but then wandered off because they heeded the mocking of those in the great and spacious building, we can be lost if we pay attention to the mocking of those around us who don't have the same understanding of the gospel as we do. Stand up for what you know to be true and right. Don't let others pull you down. Don't lose your salvation because of embarrassment or pride. And don't mock others' righteousness either. There is no "Molly Mormon" or "Peter Priesthood" who might not have something we can learn from.