“I Beheld a Tree”

Lehi’s dream of the tree of life is an ongoing source of inspiration to Latter-day Saints worldwide. The prophet Nephi writes of his father’s dream in 1 Nephi, chapter 8: “While my father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have dreamed a dream; … I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And … I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white. … 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” (1 Ne. 8:2, 10–12).

On these pages are various artists’ depictions of this passage of scripture.

Lehi’s Vision of the Tree of Life, by Wang Xiu, Chinese scroll

Lehi’s Vision of the Tree of Life, by Diane Aposhian-Moffat, hand-knotted rug

Tree of Life, by LaMona Brown, hand-knotted rug

A Vision of the Tree of Life, by Carol Lind, watercolor on parchment

Tree of Life, by Charlotte Andersen, quilt

Tree of Life, by Carol Johnson, quilt

Tree of Life, by Marcus Alan Vincent, oil on linen

Tree of Life, by Mabel “Belle” Lara, oil on panel

Tree of Life, by Derek Hegsted, oil on canvas

Tree of Life, by Lucile C. Fish, tatting

Lehi’s Dream, by Damaris Puga de Garcia, metal work