Comments on: Reading Nephi – 8:1-8

By: Clark Goble

Clark Goble — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 18:43:04 +0000

It’s always interesting comparing Lehi’s dream with Nephi’s vision (which he appears to think is the same vision). Further it’s also interesting comparing both visions to their physical travel and then Jacob’s lament which in some ways has them still in the wilderness rather than at the tree.

By: Terry H

Terry H — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 01:12:21 +0000

James. I’m sure glad to see this again after the recent disturbance in the Force. I love the dream and Nephi’s as well. They tie together so well and your readings are inspiring in a good way (some critics not withstanding). I recently came across a collection of essays that I think apply here called ‘I Lifted My Eyes and Saw’: Reading Dreams and Vision Reports in the Hebrew Bible. Its edited by Elizabeth R. Hayes and Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer (T&T Clark, 2014). Its from a recent (2011 & 2012 in biblical scholarship terms) meeting of the European Association of Biblical Scholars. In “The Dreams In The Joseph Narrative And Their Impact In Biblical Literature”, Camilla Von Heijne distinguishes between the dreams earlier in Genesis (in which the Lord appears) and Joseph’s highly symbolic dreams in which natural images act unnaturally. While the end of the article goes on to talk about how dependent it appears Daniel is on Joseph’s dreams, I find it interesting that Lehi says, “Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision.” (v.2) Looks like there’s a lot more interesting stuff in this one. Perhaps more later if there’s time.

By: Brent

Brent — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 22:40:14 +0000

James, I really found this meditation compelling and deep. I especially appreciated this: ” We walk and walk in darkness, until we cry out for deliverance from it, for change, for something. And our pleas are answered with a vision of emptiness. A field. The manifest potential for more (a field can be filled), without there being anything there… When we seek it, we’re delivered from darkness—not to enlightenment or salvation, but to choice. This is what the reality of eternity provides us.”

Very profound, in my estimation. Thanks for sharing your ruminating and insights.