1 Nephi 8
Lehi’s vision of the tree of life is representative of a hero’s quest. Heroes know there is something better than the “dark and dreary” wilderness they are currently traveling through, so they ask God to expand their vision that they may learn and do the best things.

After Lehi prayed he saw a “large and spacious field” and “a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.” Lehi went and partook of the fruit which “filled [his] soul with exceedingly great joy.” Lehi recognized that this fruit was the best thing. “It was desirable above all other” things and he wanted his family to partake of its goodness and share in its joy so he invited his family to come join him.

Heroes focus on family. In his vision, Lehi was excited when Sariah, Nephi, and Sam joined him at the tree and partook of the fruit. He was so saddened that Laman and Lemuel refused to come to him and partake of the fruit in his dream that he shared this vision in great detail with his family. He taught them the importance of continually holding to the rod of iron and walking along the straight and narrow path that leads to the tree of life. He taught them that many people started along this path but when mists of darkness arose they wandered off and lost their way. Lehi “did exhort them…with all the feeling of a tender parent that they would hearken to his words.” He invited Laman and Lemuel, even “he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord” so that they could partake of the goodness of God and receive the joy of being together as a family forever.