1 Nephi 11:4–5

4 And the Spirit said unto me: Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?

5 And I said: Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father.

It’s clear that the Lord gives to those who will receive. The Spirit of the Lord asks Nephi right off if he believed his father’s dream. I suppose that if he had answered negatively, we would not have the next few chapters. But Nephi’s answer tells us that not only did he honor his parents, but because of his belief, he was ready to receive further light and knowledge. The World would say that seeing is believing, but in many cases, believing is seeing. This is especially true with regard to spiritual matters. Understanding is after believing. One of our main purposes for coming to earth is to learn to live by faith. Understanding comes as a bonus.

• 1 Nephi 15:6–11
• 2 Nephi 28:30
• Mosiah 26:3

1 Nephi 11:2–3

2 And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou?

3 And I said: I desire to behold the things which my father saw.

I wonder why Nephi felt such a need or desire to see his father’s vision. He clearly believed Lehi’s account, and I’m glad for the additional insights we gain from Nephi, but it’s just curious to me why. I suppose Nephi may not have fully understood the vision, but he also could have asked Lehi for clarification. I think the key is in verse one, where Nephi was pondering for understanding and confirmation. Nephi’s faith, coupled with his calling as a prophet, may have been a deciding factor in why he was given the vision and its interpretation. He needed that first-hand testimony.

1 Nephi 11:1

1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

Nephi is shown this great vision as a result of him pondering (in an attitude of faith) the things that his father had taught. The importance of pondering and meditation along with sincere and quiet scripture study cannot be overestimated. The voice of the Lord, or the instruction of the Spirit comes in a still, small voice. In order to hear that still, quiet instruction, we must be still and quiet. In some cases, as recorded by a few prophets, the Spirit will take them away to mountains, usually to receive further instruction. My guess is that these mountains are like temples in that they allow you to be separated from the world for awhile. The Lord does not usually give us this kind of instruction until we demonstrate our readiness to receive it.

• D&C 138:11 — this section was received as a direct result of Joseph F. Smith pondering some scriptures.
• 3 Nephi 17:3 — Christ tells the people to go home and ponder the things He had taught them.

1 Nephi Chapter 11 Overview

Nephi sees the Spirit of the Lord and is shown in vision the tree of life—He sees the mother of the Son of God and learns of the condescension of God—He sees the baptism, ministry, and crucifixion of the Lamb of God—He sees also the call and ministry of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Between 600 and 592 B.C.

This is the beginning of a vision that is shown to Nephi and covers the next four chapters. In this chapter Nephi is shown the Tree of Life visions that Lehi saw. Nephi asks some questions about interpretation, so we get the meaning of this great vision. This really must be a significant vision that it is recorded twice. And I think there is evidence of it being shown to other cultures as well. It seems I saw something to that effect once, but I can’t say where or when.

1 Nephi 10:22

22 And the Holy Ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things, and deny them not.

When Nephi tells us that he is speaking with the authority of the Holy Ghost, he is telling us that his words are scripture. D&C 68:2–4 says that when those who are ordained to the priesthood, and their mission is to preach, speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost (i.e. with his authority), it is scripture. These are the words, mind, and will of the Lord, and we should heed them.

• D&C 68:2–4

1 Nephi 10:20–21

20 Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment. 21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.

Clearly we are judged according to our works as well as our faith. I love the way James puts it in James 2:14–18, when he talks about showing our faith by our works. I think that a major reason that works factor into our judgment so heavily is that works are a clear indicator of where our heart really is. In other words, we really are judged according to our desires, as Alma taught his son, Corianton, in Alma 41:3–6. Ultimately, we do what we either want to do, or we do something to avoid the consequences of not doing it. But it comes down to desire. We are judged according to our deepest heart’s desire. If we desire wickedness, we won’t try to overcome the natural tendency to be carnal. If we want righteousness, we may be weak and stumble, but our efforts will be to make positive changes, and our direction will be toward God. It really doesn’t matter where we are on the path that leads to eternal life, as long as we are on it and we are headed the right direction. The Atonement compensated for the rest.

• Ecclesiastes 12:14
• 1 Corinthians 6:9 (9–10)
• James 2:17–18
• Revelation 20:12–13
• Alma 11:36–37
• Alma 40:26
• Alma 41:3–6
• 3 Nephi 27:19
• D&C 138:20, 37
• Moses 6:57

1 Nephi 10:19

19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

I like that Nephi adds the word “diligently” into the formula of seeking and finding. This implies much more than merely seeking. It implies that you may not get your answer on your first attempt, that you must exercise faith to get results. But after the trial of faith, the Lord opens even the mysteries of Godhood to us. This is part of being unchangeable and consistent.

• Matthew 7:7–11 [see JST for these verses]
• D&C 42:61