Lehi's Dream of the Tree of Life: Springboard to Prophecy

Lehi’s dream of the tree of life is well known in Latter-day Saint circles. Its relationship to the vision of Nephi (1 Nephi 11–14), however, may not be so well known. This paper examines the proposition that Nephi’s vision was an expansive, prophetic interpretation of Lehi’s dream of the tree of life. An alternate interpretation of Lehi’s dream as a guide to the afterlife is also discussed. Finally, links between Lehi’s dream, the Garden of Eden, and the temple will be considered.