The Tree of Life is a symbol that is significant in many cultures. Usually it represents immortality and eternal happiness. In the Book of Mormon the prophet Lehi had a dream where he walked through a dreary wasteland and he looked and saw a beautiful bright tree which represented the Tree of Life. He saw a straight rod of iron which led from a distance to the tree and there were numerous people trying to find there way to this tree. Along the way there was a thick mist of darkness that caused some to lose their way and get lost on what he called strange forbidden paths. There was a river of filthy water which ran along side of the rod of iron and on the other side was a large and spacious building filled with people who were in an attitude of laughing and making fun of those who moved toward the tree. This painting is filled with rich symbolism which is of great importance to those who seek Christianity and a deep relationship with the Lord. The tree itself represents Jesus Christ and its fruit and living water which springs from it represents His love. The rod of iron which leads to the tree is a symbol for the word of god which we can find in the Holy Scriptures. The spacious building on the left represents the pride of the world and in Lehi;s dream he saw it eventually fall to the ground in terrible destruction. I have long wanted to paint this picture because I think it is a great representation of life and the importance of enduring to the end. I wanted the tree to be the focal point of this landscape with all the other details to be peripheral and secondary to the tree. If we can simply keep our eyes focused on the tree we will find that which we seek.
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