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"The Condensension of God", 1 Nephi 11:8-23

1 Nephi 11:8-23

In verse 8, Nephi sees the tree of life which his father saw. The following verses describe what he sees as the interpretation of the tree. It's in Nephi's dialog with the angel in verse 9 and verse 22 that helps me to understand what he is feeling.

These feelings are pivotal to his discussion with the angel. In verse 16, the angel asks him if he understands the condescension of God. Nephi responds ambiguously, confessing his lack of knowledge on this point. He is then shown the Savior as a child in the arms of his virgin mother.

"Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?"(vs. 21) the angel asks. Nephi had just seen the Son of God as a representation of the tree which was "precious above all" (vs. 9). What he feels is "the Love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men"(vs. 22). Nephi further declares, "it is the most desirable above all things." Then the angel adds, " Yea, and the most joyous to the soul" (vs. 23).
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