Personal Revelation

The vision of the Tree of Life that was shared by Nephi and his father, Lehi, in the Book of Mormon, contains important truths. In the third chapter of First Nephi, verse seven, the vision is explained from Nephi's point of view. https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/3

Nephi learns the meaning of the iron rod, while he is experiencing a vision and speaking with angels. He also sees the tree of life, in vision, and learns the tree represents the love of God in an interesting way. Nephi is shown a beautiful, pure woman (Mary), the earthly mother of Jesus. What does the Tree of Life have to do with Mary and the Love of God? These are some things to think and pray about. Nephi sees in vision Mary, approximately 600 years before Jesus would be born. This wonderful vision that Nephi and his Father, Lehi share, allows us to consider both Nephi and Lehi as true Seers. They are able to see in the spirit, events that would take place 600 years later.

For the tree of life to be an accurate representation of the love of God, the tree would need to include both Gods (our Mother God, and her husband, our Father God). In other words, the Elohim (Gods), a husband and wife, joined together in perfection. We have a Mother in Heaven, in addition to our Father in Heaven. Together, they sustain, bless and work to redeem our fallen Earth and Heaven. When we pray, we are heard by both (Mother and Father in Heaven). In addition, when we receive guidance and answers from Heaven, the communication we receive is from from both, (Mother and Father in Heaven). Our spiritual Mother is Mary and her husband, Jesus, is our spiritual Father. During their mortal lives Jesus and Mary followed the will of their spiritual parents, in all things. Each of us, during our mortal lives, must also follow the will of our spiritual Father and Mother in all things. According to the King Follett Discourse, Joseph Smith taught that Jesus followed what Jesus saw His Father do, which was attaining to the resurrection. The spiritual Father that Jesus followed, is our spiritual Grand Father. The spiritual Mother that Mary followed, is our spiritual Grand Mother.

Nephi learns in vision, the rod of iron represents "the word of God" and there is a straight and narrow path, that follows the iron rod directly to the tree of life.

In the same chapter, verse ten, https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/3

"and it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."

The importance of the iron rod is also explained during the vision, as something to reach for and hold on to, when the mists of darkness are sent to distract, and lead mortals off into forbidden paths. There are many paths available, each leading to destruction, once the traveler releases their grasp of the iron rod, and loses sight of the straight and narrow path, leading to the tree of life. There is only one way to salvation, only one way or path, and Jesus Christ is the way. He is the only path to salvation. Jesus has attained unto the resurrection and He is able to lift us out of this fallen world.

In Chapter four, verse five https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/4

"And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."

Found in chapter two, verse ten, https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/2

"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.

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.

And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree..."

I read a great book from John Pontius called Following the Light of Christ into His Presence. In the book, John provides practical advice and tools for learning to become better at hearing the Lords voice. Some people call it receiving promptings or having a feeling. Some groups describe this phenomenon of receiving direction from heaven as "receiving the spirit". All of these ideas are correct, but the truth of the matter is this: the voice you hear in your head, that teaches you, protects you, and helps you to be more Christlike, is Jesus. The voices you hear that appeal to pride, create confusion, and take you away from being Christlike, are from the dark side. Praying to Jesus should not be a one time event before bed. It should involve all day long communication between us and the heavens. We should be checking with Him, talking to Him, asking Him questions and following the answers we receive from Him, all day long, every day.

If we pay attention to the voice of Jesus, and even ask Him questions throughout each day, He will guide us back into His presence. This is why "the Word of God" or the Rod of Iron is so important. The voice of Jesus should be the most important influence in our lives. The instructions we receive from Jesus are specific and individually catered to our own situation, to whatever is going on, in our lives. How could any other message we receive in this fallen world, be more important than instructions from God? According to John Pontius, each personal revelation we receive from Jesus, is the most important message that we will ever receive. Right up until we receive another message from Jesus. And another message from Jesus, etc.

I loved reading your book John! Thank you for sharing this great advice. 

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