More Churchy Things

In institute, we're currently studying Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life. Here's a few interesting things I learned.

Someone said a quote that I liked, so here it is:

Don't have a hard, cold heart. The Holy Ghost doesn't have time to chip away the ice.

Today we learned that Joseph Smith Sr. had a vision of the Tree of Life in 1811. I didn't know that! I thought it was so cool. Imagine being the prophet Joseph, and translating 1st Nephi, and reading the vision and being like, "Hey, Dad, guess what I translated today. You know that dream you had a few years ago? Yeah. It's in the Book of Mormon." I thought it was really cool, so I'm going to write it here. Wish me luck!

I thought I was traveling in an open, desolate field which appeared to be very barren. As I was thus traveling, the thought suddenly came into my mind that I had better stop and reflect upon what I was doing before I went any farther. So I asked myself, "What motive can I have traveling here, and what can this place be?"

My guide, who was by my side as before, said, "This is teh desolate world, but travel on." The road was so broad and barren that I wondered why I should travel in it, for, said I to myself, "Broad is the road, and wide is the gate that leads to death, and many there be that walk therein; but narrow is the way, and straight is the gate that leads to everlasting life, and few there be that go in thereat."

Traveling a short distance further, I came to a narrow path. This path I entered, and, hen I had traveled a little way in it, I beheld a beautiful stream of water which ran from the east to the west. Of this stream I could see neither the source nor yet the mouth, but as far as my eyes could extend I could see a rope, running along the bank of it about as high as a man could reach, and beyond me was a low but very pleasant valley in which stood a tree such as I had never seen before. It was exceedingly handsome, insomuch that I looked upon it with wonder and admiration. Its beautiful branches spread themselves somewhat like an umbrella, and it bore a kind of fruit, in shape much like a chestnut bur, and as white as snow, or, if possible, whiter. I gazed upon the same with considerable interest, and as I was doing so, but burs or shells commenced opening and shedding their particles, or the fruit which they contained, which was of dazzling whiteness. I drew near and began to eat of it, and I found it delicious beyond description.

As I was eating, I said in my heart, "I cannot eat this alone, I must bring my wife and children, that they may partake with me." Accordingly, I went and brought my family, which consisted of a wife and seven children, and we all commenced eating and praising God for this blessing. We were exceedingly happy, insomuch that our joy could not easily be expressed.

While thus engaged, I beheld a spacious building, standing opposite the valley which we were in, and it appeared to reach to the very heavens. It was full of doors and windows, and they were all filled with people, who were very finely dressed. When these people observed us in the low valley, under the tree, they pointed the finger or scorn at us, and treated us with all manner of disrespect and contempt. But the contumely we utterly disregarded.

I presently turned to my guide and inquired of him the meaning of the fruit that was so delicious. He told me it was the pure love of God, shed abroad in the hearts of all those who love him and keep his commandments. He then commanded me to go and bring the rest of my children. I told him that we were all there. "No," he replied, "look yonder, you have two more, and you must bring them also." Upon raising my eyes, I saw two small children standing some distance off. I immediately went to them and brought them to the tree, upon which they commenced eating with the rest, and we all rejoiced together. The more we ate, the more we seemed to desire, until we even got down upon our knees and scooped it up, eating it by double handfuls.

After feasting in this manner a short time, I asked my guide what was the meaning of the spacious building which I saw. He replied, "It is Babylon. It is Babylon and it must fall. The people in the doors and windows are the inhabitants thereof, who scorn and despise the Saints of God because of their humility." I soon awoke, clapping my hands together for joy.

Isn't that just so awesome!! I especially love the bit about the two other children, and they all eat it on their hands and knees, stuffing their faces, ha ha. It reminded me of Willy Wonka. Apparently Bro. Staples thought of it to, but he couldn't remember what it was called.