Flooding My Life with the Book of Mormon 2.0

1 Nephi 8:21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood. The Lord lays the path before me, but He does not make me enter it. He puts it in plain view, but I choose whether to walk it.  Many ignore the path as they live their lives. They may even stumble onto it by accident, but just keep going in another direction. Others search for the path but have a hard time finding it in the broad expanse of the world.  Nevertheless, God's path is always open and in plain sight, and the Lord has sent an army of messengers into the world to guide the sincere seekers to it. Some may have to search harder than others, but all can find it. Elder J. Golden Kimball reportedly said that he may not follow the covenant path perfectly, but he tries to cut across it as often as possible.

1 Nephi 8:20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world. What President Nelson has called the "covenant path" is always designated by the scriptures as the "strait and narrow path." Strait is a synonym for narrow, but the prophets in the scriptures are not being redundant. Strait also means strict. So the path is strict and narrow. No deviations are allowed. We are either on the path, or we are not. It leaves no room for lateral movement. Faith in Christ, repentance, and baptism are the only ways to enter the path. Making and keeping covenants and keeping the commandments of the gospel are the only ways to stay on the path. A step to either side is a step off the path and into trouble. On the other hand, while the path is strait and narrow, it is endless in its length. It provides no restrict...

1 Nephi 8:19 And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. The sequence of events is worth noting. Lehi reached the tree without the rod of iron or the strait and narrow path. He simply followed the man in the white robe, i.e., the Holy Ghost. Sariah, Nephi, and Sam reached the tree by obeying Lehi, i.e., the living prophet. Only when Laman and Lemuel refused to obey did Lehi see another way, namely, the iron rod (the scriptures) and the strait path (the law). Our leaders today emphasize the scriptures and the commandments in the hope that they will lead us to the prophet, who will lead us to the Holy Ghost, who will escort us to the tree of eternal life.

1 Nephi 8:15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto [Laman and Lemuel]; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit. Is it not the wish of every parent in the Church to have their children follow in their footsteps, gain their own testimonies, build their own faith, and come with them unto Christ? We beckon, call, teach, admonish, and try to set the example. But as Lehi learned, we cannot coerce. Our children must ultimately choose their own path, and we must learn to live with it.

1 Nephi 8:12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit. Joy is a natural reaction to that which is good. When we know we have found a source of nourishment that is pleasing, we rejoice in the anticipated health and strength we will derive from it. How much deeper, richer, and more satisfying is our joy when we find spiritual nourishment, even the Bread of Life and the Living Water which never faileth.

1 Nephi 8:10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. Lehi recognized intuitively the value of the fruit of the tree in his vision even before he tasted it. People know the goodness that the gospel can bring into their lives. They are drawn to it. The fruit of the gospel and its soul purpose is happiness. God's greatest desire is for us to be happy. But He knows true happiness can be appreciated only if we contrast the sweet with the bitter. So, He lets us experience both in morality, so that eternal happiness is all the sweeter.