symbolic dreams

Symbolic dreams and visions are not new, many being found throughout the scriptures. Many ordinary people have such dreams that concern only their own lives. Many Prophets and other chosen vessels of God had such dreams for certain groups of people. "King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a large statue man with each part made of a different material. A stone destroyed the image and became a mountain, filling the whole earth,  Daniel 2:31–45; Doctrine & Covenants 65:2. The various parts of the image represented kingdoms that have reigned on the earth. The stone represented the kingdom of God, which would consume all other kingdoms in the latter days. Pharaoh dreamed of seven lean and ill cattle devouring seven fat and healthy cattle and seven poor ears of corn devouring seven good ears of corn, Genesis 41:17–31. The seven healthy cattle and seven good ears of corn represented seven years of prosperity that would come to Egypt. The seven ill cattle and seven poor ears of corn represented seven years of famine that would follow the years of plenty. In a vision, the Apostle Peter saw unclean animals lowered from heaven in a great sheet, and he was commanded to kill and eat these animals, Acts 10:9–16, 28, 34–35. The unclean animals represented the Gentiles, who were now to be taught the gospel."

My study this week, 1 Nephi 8–15, tells of another symbolic dream received by Lehi, the vision of the tree of life. After praying for understanding, his son, Nephi, received a similar dream. "Unlike the many dreams or visions that have application only to specific people or at a specific time (like Pharaoh’s dream of the cattle and corn), the vision of the tree of life applies to all God’s children."