Trees in the Book of Mormon

Trees have also found a place in Latter Day Saint culture, with passages related to them being utilized by critics of Mormonism.

The cosmic tree, often considered the center of the world, is a widespread motif found in the myths and oral traditions of numerous cultures, particularly those of Asia, Australia, and North America.

[2] The tree of life is a symbol rich in meaning, appearing in religious art, architecture, and literature across different historical periods.

Another text, discovered in Egypt in 1945, portrays the tree of life as beautiful, fiery, and bearing fruits resembling white grapes.

[22] This vision has been identified as central to the Christology of the Book of Mormon, refocusing attention on Jesus Christ as the primary instrument of salvation[21] and calling for reconciliation among all living beings.

[23] Alma reminded the people of Zarahemla about God's invitation to all mortals to partake of the fruit of the tree of life, come unto Christ, repent, and be baptized.

This omission might stem from the Mormon interpretation of the Fall, which significantly differs from other Christian denominations, as it essentially excludes the concept of original sin.

[36][37][38][39][40] The allegory discusses events from both the past and the future,[41][42] particularly regarding the scattering and gathering of the covenant people, illustrated through descriptions of digging, pruning, and nurturing the olive tree.

Their prophets, including Joseph, the son of Jacob, taught that in the last days, the Gentiles would help them return to the covenant and become a rightful branch, as seen in various verses in 1 Nephi.

[58] In another botanical allusion, he compared the restoration of the people to the oak and terebinth, which, though destroyed and consumed by disease, were still capable of regeneration and renewal,[59] as found in 2 Nephi 16:13.

[62][63] He equated the wealth and the treacherous Assyrian people to a forest, where after the Lord's vengeance, so few trees will remain that even a child will be able to count them, as found in 2 Nephi 20:18–19.

[37][65][66][67] John W. Welch did not rule out Smith's descent from Jesse, though he pointed out that within the context of Mormon doctrine, this cannot be definitively established.

[93][94] This pre-Columbian stela, dating between 100 BCE and 100 CE, portrays a scene reminiscent of Lehi and Nephi's vision of the tree of life.

[95] Green argued that no reliable evidence exists to confirm that the stela's artist depicted Lehi's vision or drew inspiration from it.

Some proponents also point to an image from the Dresden Codex, where a sacrificed man sprouts a tree from his heart, linking it to passages in Alma 32.