The account of Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life
is one of the most cherished and well-known stories in the Book of Mormon.
What is not well-known, however,
is how much Lehi’s vision parallels the account of the Garden of Eden found in the Bible.
For example,
Genesis mentions that God placed “a flaming sword to keep the way of the tree of life” in the Garden of Eden.
The Book of Mormon also 
mentions a type of sword around the tree of life:
“a great and a terrible gulf divideth
them,
yea, even the sword of the justice of the eternal God”
which was like the “brightness of a flaming fire”
or in other words,
a metaphorical “flaming sword.”
Another example is “The way” mentioned in Genesis,
which can also be translated as a “road” or “path.”
Lehi’s vision similarly contains “a strait and narrow path”
Both the Genesis account and Lehi’s dream describe a fertile garden with wilderness beyond it.
And both accounts contain rivers with heads, as well as mist.
And in some traditions,
Eden is also associated with a rod of iron,
like in Lehi’s dream.
Another connection helps to explain the apparent uphill movement of the people towards the tree.
The bible
says that “a river went out of Eden.”
Since rivers flow downhill,
the garden of
Eden has been depicted on a mountain.
Similarly, Lehi’s expansive view of those around him
suggests a higher elevation, just like Eden.
The image of the people struggling uphill towards the tree of life is a fitting symbol for life on earth.
At times, life may feel like an uphill climb,
a desperate attempt to overcome the effects of the Fall and return to Eden,
or God’s presence.
This is very similar to what one sees in Lehi’s dream.
Gratefully, scriptures teach us that through Jesus Christ,
and the Word of God,
we can come back into God’s presence.
And now you knowhy
