Elder David A Bednar gave a conference talk about Lehi’s dream. In it he asked the question: What lessons can and should I learn from Lehi’s vision of the tree of life and from the principle of continually holding fast to the rod of iron that will enable me to stand spiritually strong in the world in which we live today? (Lehi’s Dream–Holding Fast to the Iron Rod.”)

I have asked myself that question. The main lesson I learn from Lehi’s dream is that the purpose of my life is my journey towards the fruit of the Tree of Life symbolizing Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. In D&C 6:36 we are invited to “look unto to Christ in every thought.” Then the next verse is:

37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.

We look unto Christ by always remembering his atoning sacrifice and staying faithfully on the path to eternal life by doing the small, daily acts of devotion and service. An iron rod is strong, unbendable and secure. My commitment to Jesus Christ needs to be strong, unbendable and secure, never yielding to the voices of the world.

In Elder Bednar’s talk, he states that the overarching theme of the Book of Mormon –to invite all to come unto Christ–is paramount in Lehi’s dream. Lehi’s dream invites me come unto Christ and partake of his goodness. Jesus stands with open arms to receive each of us. Neal A Maxwell gave a beautiful description of that future reunion with Christ

Elder Neal A. Maxwell suggests that the prime reason the Savior personally acts as the gatekeeper of the celestial kingdom is not to exclude people, but to personally welcome and embrace those who have made it back home. It is a touching, intimate thought, expressed as follows:

“If there is any imagery upon which I would focus as I close, it is two scriptures from the Book of Mormon. The one in which we are reminded that Jesus himself is the gatekeeper and that ‘he employeth no servant there.’ (2 Nephi 9:41.) . . . I will tell you . . . out of the conviction of my soul . . . what I think the major reason is [why he ‘employeth no servant there’], as contained in another Book of Mormon scripture which says he waits for you ‘with open arms.’ (Mormon 6:17.) That’s why he’s there! He waits for you ‘with open arms.’ That imagery is too powerful to brush aside. . . . It is imagery that should work itself into the very center core of one’s mind—a rendezvous impending, a moment in time and space, the likes of which there is none other. And that rendezvous is a reality. I certify that to you. He does wait for us with open arms, because his love of us is perfect.

He also said, “God is in the details! Just as the Lord knows all of His vast creations, He also knows and loves each in any crowd—indeed, He knows and loves each and all of mankind! (see 1 Nephi 11:17).(October, 2002, General Conference, Encircled in the Arms of His Love)

Partaking of the fruit of the tree of life, meeting my Savior face to face, staying on the straight and narrow path, continually holding fast to the iron rod, not being distracted by those things which would pull me away is what I’m learning from Lehi’s dream. It’s a beautiful picture in my mind that culminates in temple worship.

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