1 Nephi CHAPTER 6 Nephi writes of the things of God—Nephi’s purpose is to persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham and be saved. About 600–592 B.C.
Ishmael and His Family
1 Nephi CHAPTER 7 Lehi’s sons return to Jerusalem and invite Ishmael and his household to join them in their journey—Laman and others rebel—Nephi exhorts his brethren to have faith in the Lord—They bind him with cords and plan his destruction—He is freed by the power of faith—His brethren ask forgiveness—Lehi and his company offer sacrifice and burnt offerings. About 600–592 B.C.
Watch the following video to 00:39
Nephi is bound with Cords
Watch video from 00:39 to end
Nephi Forgives
Friend January 2024 “Forgiving Like Nephi” Josh called Aisea a mean name after Aisea’s team won the game. The rest of the day, Aisea felt like a heavy weight was pulling him down. He did not like Josh anymore. During family scripture study that night he read about a time when Nephi’s brothers were unkind to him. “And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them,” the scripture said.” Aisea thought about Josh. He didn’t want to hold onto his bad feelings for Josh forever. Aisea wanted to be like Nephi. He could forgive Josh, just like Nephi forgave his brothers. And if Josh said something mean again, he would just ask him not to. He felt warm and peaceful inside, and the heavy weight from before was gone.
Lehi’s Sons Marry the Daughters of Ishmael
Tree of Life Vision
1 Nephi CHAPTER 8 Lehi sees a vision of the tree of life—He partakes of its fruit and desires his family to do likewise—He sees a rod of iron, a strait and narrow path, and the mists of darkness that enshroud men—Sariah, Nephi, and Sam partake of the fruit, but Laman and Lemuel refuse. About 600–592 B.C.
Book of Mormon Videos “Lehi Sees a Vision of the Tree of Life”
Book of Mormon Stories “Lehi’s Dream” Video and Images
Friend January 2024 “The Tree of Life”
Friend June 2011 “Lehi’s Dream” Rebus story.
Friend January 2011 “Lehi’s Dream”
Lesson Four: Tree of Life Vision Teachingldschildren.com
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Your children might enjoy drawing a picture of Lehi’s vision as you read 1 Nephi 8 together. Let them share their pictures, and help them discover what the symbols in the dream represent (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22; 12:16–18; 15:23–33, 36 and this week’s activity page). Ask them to share as many answers as they can to this question: What do we learn from Lehi’s vision?
Ensign January 2020 “Family Study Fun”
Collaborative Art Museum Give everyone a paper and pencil. Assign each person to draw only one of the following: Tree and fruit (1 Nephi 8:10–12) River (1 Nephi 8:13–14) Iron rod (1 Nephi 8:19) Strait and narrow path (1 Nephi 8:20) Great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8:26–28) Pass the papers to the left. Add people to the drawing. Pass again. Add captions or word balloons. Pass again. Color with crayons or markers. Discussion: What do the various parts of the vision represent? (see 1 Nephi 11:21–23; 12:16; 15:23–24; John 14:6; 1 Nephi 11:36). What do we need to do to reach the tree and find joy?
Friend September 1989 “Lehi’s Vision” Match the things that Lehi saw in his vision with what they stand for. Answers: (1) d, (2) g, (3) f, (4) e, (5) j, (6) h, (7) b, (8) c, (9) a, (10) i.
Primary 4 Book of Mormon “The Tree of Life” Play a matching game. Using the information from the tree of life symbols and meanings chart, write each symbol from Lehi’s dream and the meaning of each symbol on a separate 3″ x 5″ card. Use six other 3″ x 5″ cards to make three sets of matching pictures or symbols, such as smiling faces, stars, and hearts. Mix the cards up, and place them face down in four columns on the floor or table. Have the children come up one at a time and turn over two cards. Read aloud what each says. If the cards match, leave them face up. The game is over when all the cards are face up.
Friend June 1988 “Hold to the Rod” A game based on the meaning of Lehi’s dream.
Tree and Fruit
How did Lehi describe the fruit? (See 1 Nephi 8:10-12) Write on the display board the following descriptions:
It was white to exceed all whiteness.
It was most sweet above all others.
It was desirable to make one happy.
It filled him with joy.
Nephi learned that the fruit was the greatest of all the gifts of God.
• What is the greatest of all the gifts of God? (See D&C 14:7) What is eternal life? It is the highest degree in the celestial kingdom, and it is the kind of life Heavenly Father has. (Put the “Eternal Life” label next to the fruit.)
The purpose of Lehi’s vision is to teach us how to gain eternal life. Without the atonement of Jesus Christ we could not attain eternal life, regardless of how good we are on earth, because all men sin and no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus paid the price for our sins. The tree represents the love of God demonstrated in the sacrifice and the atonement of his son Jesus Christ. (Put up the “Love of God, Atonement of Jesus Christ” label next to the tree.)
Friend January 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities” God’s Love: Read the scripture story about Lehi’s dream. Now draw a tree. Have each family member add a leaf to the tree and say one thing that Heavenly Father has given us that shows He loves us.
Love of God
- Why would the angel show Nephi the baby Jesus to teach him about the love of God? Talk with your children about how they have felt the love of God in their lives. A song like “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75) could help them think of examples.
John 3:16 — 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.
In Lehi’s vision, we are invited to partake of the love of God, symbolized by the tree and its fruit, and receive the blessings of the Savior’s love and atoning sacrifice.
Share the Fruit
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 Younger: Read 1 Nephi 8:12, and invite the children to listen carefully for what Lehi wanted to do after he tasted the fruit. Let the children take turns pretending to be Lehi inviting others to come and partake of the fruit. What can we do to invite others to come and enjoy the blessings of the gospel with us?
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Older: Write on the board: What do we learn from Lehi’s example? Invite the children to think about Lehi’s vision and write as many answers as they can. Ask them to share their answers with the class. Then ask the children to think of someone they can share the joy of the gospel with.
Friend January 2020 “My Family Night Fun” Pass the Apple: Sing “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35) In the vision of the tree of life, the fruit on the tree represents the love of God (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22). The fruit was so delicious that Lehi wanted to share it with everyone. Get a piece of paper for each person and an apple or other round fruit. Roll each paper lengthwise into a cone and tape it in place. Now sit in a circle. Put the apple in one cone and pass it from cone to cone around the circle. What’s something good you can share with others?
The Iron Rod
Word of God
Primary 4 Book of Mormon “The Tree of Life” Have two children stand in front of the class, one on one side of the room and one on the other. Have the first child hold the card labeled Birth, and have the second child hold the card labeled Eternal Life. Blindfold a third child. After turning the child around a few times, see if he or she can walk from the first child to the second child without help. Then have the two children stretch the rope or string between them, each holding an end. Have the blindfolded child try again to go from the first child to the second child, this time holding on to the rope. Discuss why the second time was easier than the first. Explain that while we live on earth we are all trying to return to Heavenly Father. He has given us something to hold on to so we can find our way back to him.
- What has Heavenly Father given us to lead us back to his presence? (Scriptures, prophets, the Holy Ghost.)
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 Coloring page shows different way we can receive the word of God, such as from the prophet, from the scriptures, from the Holy Ghost, etc. Also, shows how to make a rod with the coloring page.
Holding fast to the word of God leads me to Him and helps me feel His love.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Do you have something that could represent the iron rod in Lehi’s vision, such as a pipe or a stick? Let your children hold on to it as you lead them around a room to a picture of the Savior. Why is the iron rod important in Lehi’s vision? (See 1 Nephi 8:20, 24, 30). How is the iron rod like the word of God? (Help them understand that God’s word brings us closer to Him.)
Friend January 2020 “Come, Follow Me for Little Ones” Read 1 Nephi 8:30 together and help your little ones say, “I will hold on to the word of God.” Ask your children to hold on to a broomstick or rope to represent the iron rod as you lead them around a room. End your walk at a picture of Jesus or something else to represent God’s love. You could even have some fruit as a snack!
Friend January 2020 “My Family Night Fun” Blindfold Path: In the vision of the tree of life, people had to walk along the path and hold to the iron rod to get to the tree. The iron rod represents the word of God (see 1 Nephi 11:25). Get a long string and a blindfold. Blindfold one person and spin them around. Have them try to walk in a straight line across the room. Was it hard? Now have two people hold the string. After you spin the blindfolded person, have them hold onto the string as they walk across the room. How did it help them? How can the scriptures help us? Sing “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109)
Friend January 2024 “Sleepy Scripture Time” Elvira and her family always had scripture study early in the morning. Family members that weren’t there joined on video calls. One morning she recognized the story of Lehi’s vision. Her mom explained that, “When we read the scriptures, we come closer to Jesus Christ. Just like the people got closer to the tree of life when they held to the rod.”
Song: “Hold to the Rod“
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 If possible, bring a piece of iron or other metal to class and invite the children to describe some of its properties and things it might be used for. How is the word of God like an iron rod? Where do we find the word of God? Why is the iron rod so important in Lehi’s vision?
River of Filthy Water
Book of Mormon Seminary Student Manual (2024) “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge, Part 3”
Reflect for a moment on the significance of water in your life.
- When does having water matter the most to you?
- Why is the source of the water you drink important?
Seeking truth can be like drinking water: the source matters. Think of sources you turn to when you have questions or concerns. [such as the Internet] How confident are you that these sources provide true answers? Heavenly Father desires to answer your sincere questions and has provided trustworthy sources to guide you. [The prophet, from the scriptures, from the Holy Ghost. Don’t drown in the depths of filthy water. Go to the source of living water.]
Mists of Darkness
Temptations of Satan
Lesson Four: Tree of Life Vision See the link for the game instructions for the below visual aids.
Great and Spacious Building
Pride of the World
• The people of the world who were mocking those who partook of the fruit were in a great and spacious building that appeared to be floating in the air. What did the great and spacious building represent? (See 1 Nephi 11:36) (Put the “Pride of the World” label next to the building.)
Pride and feelings of superiority because of possessions, physical abilities, or accomplishments are empty and have nothing to hold them up because everything we have comes from God. Like the building floating in the air, people lifted up in pride eventually will fall. They do not realize that the things the world values such as wealth, honors, physical beauty, and physical ability have no value after death. The only thing of value will be the relationships and the righteous characteristics we develop while on the earth. If we spend our time seeking after worldly things, we may miss the opportunity to develop the things that will be important in the eternities.
Nephi Makes Two Sets of Records: Spiritual and Historical
1 Nephi CHAPTER 6 Nephi writes of the things of God—Nephi’s purpose is to persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham and be saved. About 600–592 B.C.
1 Nephi CHAPTER 9 Nephi makes two sets of records—Each is called the plates of Nephi—The larger plates contain a secular history; the smaller ones deal primarily with sacred things. About 600–592 B.C.
These verses could inspire your family to keep a record of important events and experiences from your lives. Maybe you could start a family journal, similar to the records Nephi and Lehi kept about their family’s experiences. What might you include in your family record? Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Book of Mormon 2020
Friend January 2024 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Plain and Precious Plates” The Lord told Nephi to make another set of plates for a special and wise purpose (see 1 Nephi 9). Make your own set of plates out of folded paper or pieces of cardboard. (You can even wrap your paper or cardboard with aluminum foil!) Write or draw what you learn from the Book of Mormon on your plates.
Lehi and Nephi Prophesy of Jesus
1 Nephi CHAPTER 10 Lehi predicts that the Jews will be taken captive by the Babylonians—He tells of the coming among the Jews of a Messiah, a Savior, a Redeemer—Lehi tells also of the coming of the one who should baptize the Lamb of God—Lehi tells of the death and resurrection of the Messiah—He compares the scattering and gathering of Israel to an olive tree—Nephi speaks of the Son of God, of the gift of the Holy Ghost, and of the need for righteousness. About 600–592 B.C.
God will reveal truth to me by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” How could you help your children understand what Nephi taught in 1 Nephi 10:19? Perhaps you could fold a picture of the Savior or another special object inside a blanket and invite your children to unfold it. As you read 1 Nephi 10:19, they could raise their hands when they hear the words “unfolded” and “Holy Ghost.” Then you could share an experience when the Holy Ghost helped you discover truth.
“Fiction or Nonfiction?” (January 2012 Friend) When Jennifer learned the difference between fiction and nonfiction she wondered about the Book of Mormon. She spent a lot of time reading it but didn’t know how she would ever know it was true. During Sacrament she said a prayer. Then she remembered the warm, happy feelings she had when she was baptized. She realized she felt the same way when she thought of the Prophet Joseph Smithy and when she read the Book of Mormon. She knew that Heavenly Father was telling her through the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon was true.
Friend January 1988 “Juliano’s Testimony” Juliano seeks to gain a testimony for himself. He reads the Book of Mormon and then prays to know if it is true. He didn’t know how the Holy Ghost would visit him because he was just a boy. Then he remembered a story the missionaries told him about a boy his age learning that he was to be the future keeper of the gold plates. He looked up the story in the scriptures and found out that it was Mormon. He felt a peaceful feeling spread through him and he knew that the Book of Mormon was true.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Book of Mormon 2020 Invite the children to talk about ways they can find answers to a question. Encourage the children to read 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1. What would Nephi say if someone asked him how to find answers to a question about the gospel? How does God teach us through the Holy Ghost? (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2).
Friend May 2018 “How You Can Know What’s True” What do you do when you feel an urgent need to know or understand something?
“A Testimony of the Church” (July 2015 Friend) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches of how we can gain a testimony.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “1 Nephi 6-10” Have your children ever felt that the Holy Ghost helped them know that something was true? Let them share their experience. What would we say to a friend who thinks that they can’t receive answers through the Holy Ghost? What do we find in 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1 that could help that friend? What could they share from 1 Nephi 10:17–19 and 11:1 to help that friend?
- Friend March 2020 “How Does Heavenly Father Speak to Us?”
Sing a song with the children about seeking truth, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). Show pictures that illustrate words in the song to help the children remember how the Holy Ghost teaches us.
Additional Resources
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