Jan 15-21: 1 Nephi 6-10
Come and Partake of the Fruit
John Moeller (American, born 1976)
Tree of Life (2017-18)
24-channel sound installation, each of 24 sound units: black cord, steel hardware, mesh bag, 7-inch tablet, 4 mini-loudspeakers, block of wood; duration variable
Tree of Life website, program notes, videos, documentation
Used with permission of the artist
Lehi said, “Behold, I have dreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have seen a vision” (1 Nephi 8:2). The vision cries out for artistic illustration: A dark and dreary wilderness, a man in a white robe, a large and spacious field, a tree with fruit “to make one happy,” a river, an iron rod, a straight and narrow path, numberless concourses of people, a mist of darkness, a great and spacious building, and the interactions of all the above. As you read it, perhaps visual images come to your mind, but artists working in other creative disciplines have engaged with this scriptural story in their own ways.
Composer John Moeller created a sound installation titled, Tree of Life in 2017-18 that is a sonic representation of the scriptural text. Visitors to the installation walked through a soundscape of 24 speakers hung within a circular area at different heights. A scent was emitted into the space, and the installation included stage lighting that suggested branches and leaves. The artist writes, “I wanted to create an uplifting sound world that people can immerse themselves in. The love of God has brought me the greatest joy in my own life, and depicting the tree of life sonically is one way I hope to invite people to feel it themselves.”
Discussion Questions
What are some types of mists of darkness that can obscure our view and cause us to lose our way (1 Nephi 8:23)?
When some partook of the fruit of the tree, they were then ashamed as they felt mocking by the fancy people from the great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8:25-28). Have you ever had an experience where you felt badly after making a righteous choice because of the reaction of others? How did you respond? Do you wish you had responded differently; if so, how will you respond when you have this type of experience again?
In describing his father's response to his children, Nephi refers to "all the feeling of a tender parent" (1 Nephi 8:37). If you are a parent, how can you express these tender feelings to your children while recognizing their own agency and growth?
Questions for Youth and Primary
The tree of life is a common symbol for civilizations all over the world. What trees can you think of that have this sort of symbolism? Why do you think that is?
Draw a picture of your own tree of life. What do the roots and branches represent? Is it fruit-bearing? What does that represent to you?