"The Tree of Life" is the eleventh episode of Animated Stories from the Book of Mormon, yet it is chronologically the third episode, as it takes place between "Nephi and the Brass Plates" and "Journey to the Promised Land." It is about Lehi's dream about a tree with white fruit.
Here, the fruit resembles pears.
Episode Guide[]
Previous episode: Alma and the Zoramites
Next episode: Mormon and Moroni
Plot[]
Lehi narrates that he has dreamed a dream, in which he beheld a tree whose fruit was whiter than all other whiteness he had ever seen. He takes a bite of one of the fruit and it fills his soul with great joy. He beckons all of his family to come and partake of the precious fruit. He tells them to follow the iron rod on a strait and narrow path, as there are many dangers on the way. Sam guides Nephi to the rod, and Nephi tells his mother Sariah that he'll lead. Lehi encourages them to keep coming. He also wants Laman and Lemuel to come to the tree. Lemuel almost obeys, but Laman stops him and encourages him to find an easier way, so neither touches the rod, much to Lehi's grief. Something seems better to them.
Lehi then sees numberless concourses of people. Some look to see him, but others consider a different path. Among them are a man named Limhi and a woman named Jezebel. Jezebel objects to following Nephi, but Limhi objects to going a way that's too dark. A man informs Jezebel of a party. She immediately accepts and dismisses what Nephi had said (that the way to the tree via the iron rod is the safest way), thinking he never enjoys himself. Limhi protests her departure, but she assures him she'll be back.
Meanwhile, there is another family: a woman with two sons (the oldest being a 16-year-old Aaron and a little one named Abel). Abel gets scared of whatever the unfamiliar phenomenon is (unfamiliar even to their mother), but Aaron accuses him of being "such a baby," saying it's just fog or something. The woman tells her sons to hold on tight to the rod. Abel does, but Aaron, "not being a child," dismisses the idea, as he can walk without holding on to something. Another woman says they'll be fine just as long as they hold on to the rod.
Another group consists of two men named Erastus and Endor. Endor considers following Nephi, but Erastus says they are men of knowing, and as such, don't cling to superstitions, and talks him into letting go of the rod.
Back to the righteous part of Lehi's family, they make it to the tree, which Sam points out to be beautiful. Nephi helps his mother get up the steep part between the path and the area with the tree. Lehi rejoices in their arrival (hugging his wife), and tells them to come partake of the fruit. They do, and as Sariah mentions, it is wonderful.
Still, many people wander away from the rod and get lost in the darkness. The examples showing are Erastus and Endor, but Erastus could not care less. He says they are pursuing knowledge. Endor says he knew more when he was holding on to the rod. Erastus snaps for him to go back if he's so worried, but he can't. He is lost and turned around. Aaron strays farther, kicking a stone, and gets mad at his mother when she worries about him getting lost. Then there is another stranger who cries out of regret for not holding on to the rod. Back to Lehi's good family, Nephi comforts him, as he grieves over any people getting lost. He then beholds another sight: a great and spacious building, filled with people. The people in the building are dressed in exceedingly fine clothes and point their fingers and make fun of anyone who has partaken of the fruit. Of a couple, the woman starts wandering away from the rod, but the man stops her. She protests, saying she has missed out on too much already. The man disagrees and protests her departure, but she just ignores him and leaves for the building. Lehi protests this. In fact, a lot of people let go of the rod and feel their way to the building. A woman encourages this. Another couple considers leaving. Actually, the woman (known as Sarah in the coloring book) doubts this is a good idea due to what Nephi had said. The man (known there as Peter) encourages her to do it "just for a little while," promising they'll return to the rod, and they leave.
Back to Limhi, he holds fast to the rod, and with Nephi's help, comes forth to partake of the fruit. Jezebel (getting a kiss from her party informer) taunts Limhi for missing all the fun. Though Lehi tells him not to pay any attention to that, Limhi is ashamed, drops the fruit, and turns away from the tree (punching Nephi in the face for trying to stop him), but then falls into forbidden paths, to Lehi's grief.
In said forbidden paths is a large filthy river between the tree and building. At its end is a fountain of filthy water. Aaron falls in, much to his mother and Abel's sorrow. A man is about to fall, and another tries to help him. Aaron clings onto a rock, with another man trying to get on and push him off, as there isn't enough room for both of them. That man and another get swept away, and Aaron gets to shore. Back to the two men, the man in distress loses his grip, seeing as he feels like "it's not worth it," and the other man grieves. Aaron tries climbing the cliff, repenting of his foolish ways. He almost falls, but Nephi catches him, and he and a chain of righteous men (including Sam), pull him up. Aaron's mother and brother hug him in relief, with the former thanking Nephi.
Lehi then sees Laman and Lemuel in the building, and they make fun of him. Suddenly, the building crumbles, and upon watching this, Sam and Nephi are not too happy. Laman and Lemuel (the latter holding onto the former's legs) hang on for dear life as a lot of people die from falling or having pieces of building fall on them.
Nephi leads the righteous people into saving lost souls ("Heaven's at Hand"), including Endor and another man. They then get to the tree, and Aaron picks a piece of fruit for Abel. In fact, lots of people rejoice at the Tree of Life. The multitude there turn into angels, and the tree and its surroundings turn into Heaven.
Trivia[]
In Lehi's other two appearances, his headdress (whatever it is) is yellow, and he is voiced by the late Gene Pack. Here, on the other hand, his headdress is red, and he is voiced by the even longer-late Tony Larimer.
Scripture References[]
1 Nephi 8-15