Trees in the Scriptures

The scriptures make reference to a “tree” all through out its books. This “tree” has come to mean different things, depending on what the people needed to know at a given time. The two main “tree” references in the scriptures are: the Tree of Life, the tree of knowledge of good and bad.

In chapter 8 of 1st Nephi, Nephi and his brothers had all just returned from Jerusalem to retrieve the brass plates and were settling back down after their long journey. Lehi goes up to them proclaiming, “I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision” (1st Nephi 8:2). He describes in his dream seeing a tree bearing fruit that “was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted...Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.” (1st Nephi 8:11) Lehi then saw an iron rod that led to this tree, and he noticed that people we following this path. He wanted his family to follow the path to reach this greatly desired tree, but only Lamen and Lemual did not. They fell away because of the worldliness and pride.

We learn that this iron rod is the word of God, that by taking a hold of this guide, it will lead to the tree. The tree in Lehi’s vision is the Tree of Life, which symbolizes the Love of God.
In Genesis, we read of the story of the Garden of Eden. God commanded to Adam that “…of every tree of the garden though mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) Then Satan came to Eve in the form of a serpent and tricked her into partaking of the tree of knowledge saying “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5) “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6) God then immediately banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.

God uses the tree of knowledge as a source of wisdom and truth that, when Eve took of the fruit of the tree, allowed her to see between right and wrong. This act has been viewed as the "Original Sin", that if she had not of done it, we humans would not be in such as sorrow state. God knew this was going to happen though. If it did not happen, the plan of salvation would of never went through.

Through out the scriptures God uses metaphors and everyday items as tools of understanding for the average person. At times these items are used more then once but with different meanings each time. This all depends on what the people need to know at that time. God uses the tree at the beginning of the bible as an item of knowledge and understanding. In the Book of Mormon, He once again uses the tree in Lehi’s vision as a symbol of His love, not as a symbol of knowledge. Both are effective in delivering the message for that point in time.

1. Book of Mormon
-Chapters 8 and 11
2. Old Testament
-Chapter 2 and 3
3. Lds.org