Tree of life

I was talking with the missionaries yesterday and JW said that his 11-year old read the Book of Mormon in 53 days by committing to read 10 pages per day. Not to be outdone by an 11-year old (pesky pride), I was thinking today that I should do the same and read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. Only time will tell if I make good on that (recall I also decided awhile ago I was going to read the Bible cover-to-cover and quit 25 pages into Genesis), but tonight I read the first ten chapters in 1 Nephi (18 pages). In chapter 8, there is a discussion of the tree of life that stood out for me:

19 And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.
20 And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.
21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.
24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.
28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.
30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.
31 And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.
33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.
34 These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away.

Earlier in the chapter, Nephi says in verses 10-12: "And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy. And it came to pass that 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, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. 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."

So, to sum things up, we have this fruit that will make you happy, it's the best fruit you've ever tasted, and not surprisingly lots of people are interested in having a taste. Some people get lost along the way, some people effectively spit it out after they taste the fruit, and a lot of people choose to mock those seeking the fruit (and cause people to either turn away from their quest or regret their decision having achieved their goal).

It's this "spacious building ... filled with people, both old and young, both male and female ... their manner of dress exceedingly fine" that I fear the most right now. I haven't reached a point in my knowledge, understanding, convictions, or testimony yet that I can withstand any form of mocking or pointing of fingers - or at least I don't know that I've reached that point - so I'm reluctant to "go public" and invite this form of scrutiny. That being said, I'm writing about this in my blog and inviting you all to read it but it's a friendly audience and even if you ask questions or disagree, I know it's done in the spirit of love and trying to help rather than mocking or pointing of fingers.