Overview
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
What if the timeline of the Book of Mormon in its entirety, from start to finish, all 1000 years of history, was both precisely orchestrated by a loving Father in Heaven and painstakingly compiled by His designated prophet Mormon for the express purpose of teaching us a seamless principle? Perhaps the most important principle that can be taught; being offspring, born into a fallen world, cut off from the presence of our Father in a seemingly perpetual state of spiritual death, what is the most important thing a loving Father would want to tell His children? How to come home.
Having been a father that had (briefly, once or twice) lost children, there’s only one thing that occupies your mind when you find yourself in that situation. You don’t care so much about where they’ve been or how they got lost. You only really care about finding them and bringing them home again, no matter the cost. This is the gospel path of discipleship, the “Covenant Path” as has recently become a gospel focus of General Conference (at the time of this writing, “Covenant Path” was referenced 28 times in our last Conference, October 2018, almost more than in all preceding years combined!). Clearly it would seem the Lord is bringing this path that we all must walk to the forefront. But what is this path exactly?
The path that all followers of Jesus Christ traverse in this life is the “strait and narrow path”. It is the path that Christ perfectly walked, being our exemplar, earning Him the title of “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If we can follow “the way” it will lead us all down the same path, the very same path that the Ancients took. There will be near identical marker points, mile markers if you will, that mark the way forward. You and I, all of God’s children, we are all in varying points and stages along this path. The Brother of Jared, Moses, Elijah and Elisha, Isaiah, Joseph Smith, Nephi, Alma, Peter, James, and John, all the powerful blessed witnesses we read about in our scriptural canon traversed the same path that we walk. Even our own Savior, Jesus Christ, had to walk the same path, having “received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace; And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;” (D&C 93:12-13). Learning “line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little” (D&C 128:21), our Ancient forefathers learned, grew in power and might, and entered into the “blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God” (Mosiah 2:41). Therein lies the key, “those that keep the commandments of God” progress along the path. The scriptures do not describe the lives of the extraordinarily talented or gifted, it details the lives of the extraordinarily obedient. Consider the following eternal laws:
- “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing”. (Mormon 9:9)
- “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven…upon which all blessings are predicated”. (D&C 130:20-21)
- “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (D&C 82:10)
Understanding these eternal truths and extrapolating them we are led, as Peter, to say “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons”! (Acts 10:34). Certainly, some individuals, like the aforementioned prophets, have been foreordained to carry out certain tasks in this life; that’s not what we’re describing. Perhaps Joseph Smith said it best: “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what he will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them…” (Teachings, p. 149).
Echoing a similar sentiment Bruce R McConkie declared “God is no respecter of persons. He will give revelation to me and to you on the same terms and conditions. I can see what Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw in the vision of the degrees of glory—and so can you. I can entertain angels and see God, I can receive an outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit—and so can you.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1969, p. 82).
Not to be redundant but unbelief surrounding these things is so prevalent in our lives I feel this needs to be further illustrated. What is the definition of unbelief as it pertains to us today? It is that we believe these things can happen to our current prophets and apostles, the general authorities, possibly our stake presidents and bishops, but no, they could never happen to me! I’m just a regular member, a primary teacher, a clerk, a secretary. I’m not on the same path as the ancient saints in the scriptures!
Elder Eyring recently dispelled this unbelief teaching the same principle quoting President Woodruff: “[Now] I have been some fifty-four years a member of the Twelve Apostles. I have traveled with that and other quorums now for sixty years; and I want to say to this assembly that I was just as much sustained by the power of God while holding the office of a Teacher, and especially while officiating in the vineyard as a Priest, as I ever was as an Apostle. There is no difference in this so long as we do our duty.” (Wilford Woodruff, “The Rights of the Priesthood,” Deseret Weekly, Mar. 17, 1894, 381.)
One final quote from Joseph Fielding Smith should drive the point home: “Let me put this in a little different way. I do not care what office you hold in the Church — you may be an apostle, you may be a patriarch, a high priest, or anything else — but you cannot receive the fullness of the priesthood and the fullness of eternal reward unless you receive the ordinances of the house of the Lord; and when you receive these ordinances, the door is then open so you can obtain all the blessings which any man can gain. Do not think because someone has a higher office in the Church than you have that you are barred from receiving the fullness of the Lord’s blessings. You can have them sealed upon you as an elder, if you are faithful; and when you receive them, and live faithfully and keep these covenants, you then have all that any man can get.” (Conference Report, April 1970, p.58-60)
Hopefully it’s now clear that, in general, all blessings, gifts, revelations, experiences, and visitations that we read about in the scriptures are available to every one of us that seek for them and obey the laws upon which they are predicated. The key as previously outlined is in obedience, if we “do our duty” and “if [we] are faithful” we will receive them “as fast as [we are] able to bear them.”
Why start out a book this way? Because what we’re about to discuss, the path outlined by the Book of Mormon allegory, is meant to stretch us, to push the boundaries of our belief right to the edge of “unbelief” and hopefully beyond. While the Lord may be “bound when [we] do what [he says]”, we are bound down under our unbelief when we do not do what he says, when we don’t listen or believe him. Of course I hope no one takes my word for it, but “try the spirit…(of this book) whether [it is] of God” (1 John 4:1) for yourself. I sincerely hope you feel the same witness and gain as much as I have from this series of teachings that I call “the Allegory”.
The Allegory
So what is this allegory, you may be wondering, that the Book of Mormon outlines? What is the path that God is trying to show us all how to walk? I will briefly attempt to summarize our individual path and the counterpart symbolic teaching from the Book of Mormon. In so doing, the allegory draws heavily from the historical timeline of the Book of Mormon, events and persons, rather than the rich doctrinal sermons found therein, which won’t be as heavily discussed. For that I do apologize, but such is the nature of this teaching. This in no way represents the specific path we all take, but for a majority of members, I believe, we can relate to the general outline.
We start out in the presence of God in premortality (Jerusalem). We leave the presence of our Father to come to earth (leaving Jerusalem into the wilderness), that transition process from conception to birth is an active gradual transition from the first estate to the second (initial back and forth between Jerusalem and the wilderness until dedicated wilderness travel).
With birth we enter into the Telestial world (entering Bountiful), our mortal probation. After birth we have 8 years of unaccountability in which we should be preparing for the next stage (Bountiful, building the boat. This stage obviously may be longer for members not baptized at 8). We have our first mortal mile marker in baptism (crossing the ocean with our ship built with faith) allowing us membership in the Kingdom of God on the earth (entering the promised land).
Now as a member, at least for many born in the church, the school of life really begins as we deal with friends, family, bullies, schooling, and establishing ourselves (Nephi’s family relations, Isaiah chapters). As we prepare to leave home after graduating high school often we will get some final fatherly counsel (Nephi’s final teachings, King Benjamin). We then leave our home and set off on our own (King Mosiah leaving the land of Nephi and making new acquaintances in Zarahemla), although some have difficulty leaving and wish to return to their old ways (Record of Zeniff, Limhi vs Alma).
Often at or near this stage we go through a period of rebellion as we further establish our independence (Alma the Younger). Hopefully this period does not last long and, often with divine intervention by righteous praying parents, an early awakening and conversion occurs (Alma’s visitation by the angel and conversion). This conversion often leads one to want to share their new found faith and light with others as we accept the call to be a missionary (missionary efforts of Alma and the sons of Mosiah).
Upon return from the mission, life begins again with new challenges and obstacles. This is our war with the world, higher education, becoming an adult, losing and (re)gaining ground; in short, establishing temporal security (the war chapters). Often, and unfortunately, the result is a loss of our pre-mission conversion, ground is lost over years of the battle, pride and materialism work their way in through our temporal security, and insidiously we follow the pride cycle into its nefarious lower stages with its resultant destructive effects (Kingmen, Gadianton Robbers, loss of lands).
Now if this was the end of one’s story it would be a sad one, hopefully, as is often the case in the pride cycle, the pain and trials of one’s wickedness leads them to hit rock bottom, refocus one’s life, and start the search for Christ (repentance under Moronihah).
At first our best efforts to restore our spiritual life may be inadequate (Moronihah retaking half their land) but as we further consecrate our lives to God he will aid in our miraculous restoration so that our end shall be greater than our beginning as detailed below (missionary efforts of Nephi and Lehi). This is where life gets really good!
As we give ourselves completely to Christ, the scriptures describe this as the giving of a broken heart and contrite spirit, Christ baptizes us with fire and with the Spirit, the Gift of the Holy Ghost in its fullness is received, and we are reborn, Children of Christ, with a new heart and a new spirit (engulfing fire of the prison with Nephi and Lehi). This is the next major mile marker along the path, and as Nephi states in 2nd Ne 31, the actual gateway to the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life”. Now in the path to eternal life, with the Holy Ghost as our constant companion leading us along the way, we are able to progress to higher and holier planes. We have entered into the Terrestrial world.
Having so received, as before with our pre-mission conversion, we have great desires to share with others what we have received, usually accompanied with ridicule and scorn (Nephi attempting to teach the Nephites). If we prove faithful, and continue down the path, by degrees, we will develop greater and greater power in the priesthood until that glorious day that we receive the fullness of the Priesthood, God’s ability to seal on earth and in heaven, the next mile marker (Nephi receiving the sealing power of the Priesthood). As we progress in power, we receive degrees of the higher gifts of the Holy Ghost, prophesy, ministrations of angels, and in general looking forward to the coming visitation of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Samuel the Lamanite, Nephi and Lehi).
To receive Him in our lives we must prepare. Both on an individual basis as we seek to become Zion and live the law of consecration and on a global basis as we prepare for the second coming (Gathering in one body for 7 years under Lachoneus). This is a time of further separation where some may fall back into the pride cycle and others progress further along the path (wicked Nephites vs 3rd Nephi, ministered daily by angels).
As we are thus preparing and growing in the gospel something will happen, something we may not be expecting or ready for, perhaps a string of events or one overwhelming, life altering event, this is our next, most difficult mile marker to hurtle, this is our Trial of Faith (Destruction of the land at Christ’s death). As Abraham we will be tried, perhaps in the most difficult way possible or even imaginable; it comes in various forms and events, but for all seasoned travelers of His path it will come. We are proved, “to see if [we] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [our] God shall command” (Abraham 3:25), no matter the circumstances.
If we will endure our trial of faith well, we will hear a voice through the darkness that seems to encompass us about. It is the voice of the Savior, Jesus the Christ, giving counsel and promises to us, specifically the promise of eternal life (Christ’s voice heard during the 3 days of darkness). This is the receiving of one’s calling and election made sure that the prophet Joseph Smith exhorted the saints to receive “by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy” (Teachings, p.299). A knowledge that one is “sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood” (D&C 131:5). This mile marker signifies the entrance into the Church of the Firstborn, the rest of the Lord.
Having so received, we are prepared for the visit and ministration of the Lord, our Savior Jesus Christ. This is the apex, the pinnacle, the crowning event of the life of discipleship, our Second Comforter experience (3rd Nephi 11, Christ’s visit to the Americas). This is the final marker, the finish line, you have officially “endured to the end” of the path, all that comes after is part of this life altering event; this is our taste of entering into the Celestial world. Invariably he will teach us his doctrine (Christ’s teaching of the Nephites), Angels will be present (Angels ministering to the children), and ultimately he will give us our endowment, a special gift, at which point translation is an option (3 vs 9 Nephite apostles).
After this we go on as the pure in heart, the “redeemed of the Lord” (Alma 41:7), to truly live as a Zion individual (4th nephi). A word of caution is given though; if we are able to make it to this height, and then if we were ever to turn against Christ and deny the testimony of the Holy Ghost that has been born, we will be destroyed (Mormon/Moroni account of the destruction of the Nephites). As Christ solemnly declared “it would have been better for you that ye had not known me” (2 Ne 31:14).
Ether is given as a second witness of the covenant path, fulfilling the Lord’s law “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Cor. 13:1, D&C 6:28). A nation that starts out in great trials and tribulation, through sacrificing all and following the spirit, the Brother of Jared is led up the mountain, he too sees the Lord on account of his faith and is taught great things that cannot be spoken. His people build their barges of faith and are brought across their own ocean to the promised land, only to fall into similar stages of apostasy and destruction. A harbinger of the nation that immediately follows.
There it is, the Allegory of the Book of Mormon, the path God would have us all take in broad terms. Congratulations! You’ve basically read the book! We’re following Aristotle’s “triptych” in telling you what I’m going to tell you, then I’ll try to tell you, and then I’ll tell you what I told you. It would seem that the Lord follows the same pattern, or in better terms, Aristotle and many other presenters follow what the Lord has revealed as the most efficient way of teaching, as He too teaches in this way. As the Lord starts into this masterful overarching teaching that we call the Book of Mormon he gives us the big picture right at the very beginning, teaches us what he’s about to teach us if you will, in the beautiful vision of the tree of life experienced by Lehi and Nephi.
The Tree of Life
In chapter 8 of first Nephi, just as we’re getting started on the journey, we get a big picture view of what the book is trying to teach us, what “the way” actually looks like. Lehi begins his beautiful symbolic vision as we all do, groping in the darkness a bit, trying to feel our way through the mists that surround us, trying to make sense of our world. Only after pouring out his heart is he able to see the destination, the tree of life, bearing the fruit that is “desirable to make one happy” (1 Ne 8:10), the fruit “which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure” (Alma 32:42).
The way to the tree is marked by a “rod of iron” (vs 19) that leads one down the “strait and narrow path” (vs 20). This is “the way”! The key for the “numberless concourses of people” (vs 21) that are trying to obtain the path, to the entire dream, is understanding what the rod of iron is and what the tree and fruit represent.
Let’s first discuss the key to finding and following the path, the rod of iron. Nephi learns that the rod of iron represents the “word of God” (1 Ne 11:25). This has been widely interpreted as being the scriptures, and truthfully so; the scriptures fall under this broad umbrella of “the word of God”, but the interpretation is too limiting. The scriptures by and large are the documentation of the word of God to righteous men and women as they receive it by revelation. Revelation by the spirit is the key, this is “the word”, the “voice of Christ” that we must all be able to hear if we are to “know his voice” and be numbered among his sheep (John 10:3-4).
The word of God, or revelation by the Spirit, leads to one place and one place only, to the Tree of Life. Case in point; the scriptures have been interpreted in hundreds of ways by Christianity leading many down winding and “broad roads” (1 Ne 12:17). Yet it is impossible to think that if one can truly hear and follow the spirit, i.e. voice of Christ, that he would end up anywhere else but the tree of life, for God, and by association the medium in which he speaks to His children, “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2).
By holding fast to and following the voice of Christ, through personal revelation, we will be led through every mist of darkness and temptation of the Devil in which he attempts to blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men (1 Ne 12:17). I love the insight given by a popular LDS blogger that “the iron rod isn’t leading us into the mists of darkness, it is leading us out – and the iron rod always ends at ‘that which is desirable above all things, and most precious to the soul.’” (John Pontius, August 26, 2011). We all have mists of darkness to pass through, and cherubim and flaming swords to navigate, if we are going to make it back to the Tree of Life. Revelation is the only way to get us there.
So what is the Tree of Life and the fruit that we are seeking? In short it is “the love of God” as described by Nephi: “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” (1 Ne 11:25). What is the Love of God then? Surely the love of God has never been manifested more perfectly than in the giving of His Son, the Lamb of God, as a sacrifice for a fallen world. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
In general then, I would like to offer my interpretation that the Tree of Life and it’s fruit represents Jesus Christ and the sanctifying role of his Atonement in bringing us eternal life. The Spirit seems to support this; in response to Nephi’s desire to have the dream interpreted he states: “after thou hast beheld the tree which bore the fruit which thy father tasted, thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven, and him shall ye witness; and after ye have witnessed him ye shall bear record that it is the Son of God” (1 Ne 11:7). Note the pronoun “it” not “he”. Nephi is to bear record, after beholding the man descending out of heaven that “it”, the Tree of Life, “is the Son of God.”
Elder Bednar taught similarly, after quoting John 3:16 he states: “Thus, the birth, life, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ are the greatest manifestations of God’s love for His children. As Nephi testified, this love is “most desirable above all things” and, as the angel in his vision declared, “most joyous to the soul” (1 Nephi 11:22–23; see also 1 Nephi 8:12, 15). Chapter 11 of 1 Nephi presents a detailed description of the tree of life as a symbol for the life, ministry, and sacrifice of the Savior—“the condescension of God” (1 Nephi 11:16).
The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement. Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully efficacious in our lives… Significantly, the overarching theme of the Book of Mormon—inviting all to come unto Christ—is paramount in Lehi’s vision.” (“Lehi’s Dream: Holding Fast to the Rod,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2011, 33–37.)
The attitude of the travelers that make it to the tree supports this as well. I find the correlation between the three traveling groups that are on the path and the parable of the sower to be quite enlightening. There are those that “commence in the path” (1 Ne 8:22), yet when tribulations come in the form of mists of darkness, they wander off and are lost. Like seed that falls on stony ground they have “not root in [themselves]” (Matthew 13:21) and when the heat of persecution and trial arises they wither and die.
The next group are the “clingers”, those that are said to “cling to the rod of iron” (1 Ne 8:24). This may sound like an admirable quality but clinging has a connotation of fear. I like to think of this group that cling to the rod out of desperation because of the difficulties and trials that come in life. In the same article Elder Bednar states the problem with clinging is that it “suggests…only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.” These actually do make it to the tree but then the jeering of the great and spacious building is heard. These, like the seeds growing among thorns, give into the “care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22), the word is choked in the shame and pride of the world, and “they [fall] away into forbidden paths and [are] lost” (1 Ne 8:28).
Now we come to the group we all want to be in, the “good ground” (Matthew 13:8), that provides enough depth and nutrition for our own seed of “the word” (Alma 32:28) to spring up and become a Tree of Life unto us all. Lehi “saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Ne 8:30). Two key points: First, they continually held fast to the rod, diligence is the key here, these are not spiritual “Saturday warriors”, it takes constant and continual effort. Second, and most importantly, they “fell down” in reverential worship to partake of the fruit of the tree.
Paradoxically those that make it to the tree and stay there are those that “fall down” to partake of the fruit. As described by LDS author James L Ferrell, “In the gospel, it appears that up isn’t up and down isn’t down. After all, those who reached up (in pride perhaps, 2nd group) fell, while those who fell (down worshipfully at the tree) were lifted…As nonsensical as it may at first sound, in the gospel, and regarding happiness, up appears to be down and down appears to be up.” (Falling to Heaven: The Surprising Path to Happiness by James L. Ferrell)
Nephi sees the symbology played out in revelatory vision as he “beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him” (1 Ne 11:24). This is immediately followed as he is shown “that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters (name for Christ taken from Jer 2:13), or to the tree of life” (1 Ne 11:25).
This is “the way” (the strait and narrow path), “the truth” (the rod of iron), and “the life” (tree of life), all things point us back to our Savior Jesus Christ. The message of this book, and the Lord’s preface in the dream of the Tree of Life, is that we can be made “at-one” with him again, we can return home, we can come back into His presence. If we take hold of the rod of revelation, listen to the teachings of the Holy Ghost as he leads us line upon line, precept upon precept, He will eventually get us back to the Tree, our Lord Jesus Christ, where we may also fall down in worshipful reverence, and be given His fruit “which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.” (Alma 32:42)
So, I’ve told you what I’m going to tell you; now, if I haven’t lost you yet, let’s take a really deep dive into the Allegory together and learn more about “the way” that leads unto eternal life by exploring each phase of life, as detailed by the Book of Mormon beautifully, in the subsequent chapters. I would strongly suggest, before reading each section, that you read the corresponding chapter(s) from the Book of Mormon first for context and scaffolding to build on.
For each section we will explore first, the Nephite timeline in general terms. Next, our own individual timeline as it correlates with the Nephite record. Then, where applicable, we will correlate the world’s timeline, particularly with America. Lastly, as an added bonus, where possible I’ll give a little insight into my own personal journey on this path. Come with me now on this journey as we begin “The Way”!
The Way 