Jan 14, 2024

Lehi’s Dream by Greg Olsen

“Come and Partake of the Fruit”

The Come, Follow Me manual for this week says, “Even if you have studied Lehi’s vision many times, this time think about it the way Lehi did—think of someone you love.” 

This quote reminded me of Sister Tamara Runia’s talk from the October 2023 general conference titled “Seeing God’s Family through the Overview Lens,” in which she spoke about her dad being a cheerleader for her. She said, “Dad exemplified Lehi’s dream. Like Lehi, he knew that you don’t chase after your loved ones who feel lost. You stay where you are and call them. You go to the tree, stay at the tree, keep eating the fruit and, with a smile on your face, continue to beckon to those you love and show by example that eating the fruit is a happy thing!”1

I have found myself at the tree partaking of the fruit, so riddled with worry for one of my children that I do not even recognize the power of the tree: Jesus Christ. He has the power to heal all wounds, all pains, all addictions, and all suffering—even a mom’s heart. Instead of worrying, I need to have faith, hope, and confidence in my Savior. 

Christ shared a perfect example for us in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:10–32). The father is waiting, watching, anticipating, and knowing that his wayward child will return. He has his arms ready to run to his son. We need to believe in a Father who waits, who is ready the moment His child turns toward Him. We need to believe in a Father who watches. We need to believe in a Father who knows. And we need to follow His example. My example to my loved ones needs to be that I have complete trust in the Lord.

Wilford Woodruff shared the following quote from Brigham Young in his journal: “We read in the New Testament that faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Have we all got faith? It is our duty to have faith in God and his word and promises. You have to trust in God.”2 

As we put our trust in God and “think celestial,”3 as we have been tutored by President Russell M. Nelson, we can have faith that everything will work out!

Shauna graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho in April 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family. She has spent most of her life raising her four children and two foster daughters. She loves being a mother, and now a grandmother to three perfect preschoolers. She has a passion for marriage and family. She worked for the Wilford Woodruff Papers as an intern on the content team and was hooked. Now, she is ecstatic to continue working as the content manager. She loves the gospel and is thrilled to be a part of a project that will impact generations to come. Shauna loves hiking in the Pacific Northwest where she lives, reading, going on adventures with her husband and children, camping, and doing anything water related. She also has been an early morning seminary teacher the last seven years and loves teenagers.

Some historical text has been edited for clarity and readability.