This painting by Nancy Harlacher depicts a part of Nephi's Vision
as recorded by the scripture 1 Nephi 3:23-75 in the Book of Mormon.
After Lehi’s company traveled three days from Jerusalem,
they made their camp by the Red Sea, where they remained for a
number of days. While there, Lehi experienced a vision, which
included the tree of life. Nephi rejoiced when he heard Lehi tell
his wonderful vision. Nephi prayed that he might have the same
experience, and he was granted this desire because of his faith
and righteousness. Caught away by the Spirit to “an exceeding
high mountain” (1 Nephi 3:38), Nephi experienced a very
extensive vision, which included seeing the virgin mother and
her Child.
And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words
of my father concerning the things which he saw in a vision;
and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy
Ghost; which power he received by faith on the Son of God (and
the Son of God was the Messiah who should come); I Nephi, was
desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these
things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of
God unto all those who diligently seek Him, as well in times
of old as in the time that He should manifest Himself unto the
children of men;
For He is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. And the
way is prepared from the foundation of the world, if it so be
that they repent and come unto Him; for he that diligently seeketh
shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto
them by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in this time as
in times of old; and as well in times of old as in times to
come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round
….
For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things
that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able
to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart,
I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord; yea, into an exceeding
high mountain, which I never had before seen and upon which
I never had before set my foot. And the Spirit said unto me,
“Behold, what desirest thou?”
And I said, “I desire to behold the things which my father
saw.”
And the Spirit said unto me, “Believest thou that thy
father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?”
And I said, “Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the
words of my father.” And when I had spoken these words,
the Spirit cried with a loud voice, saying, Hosanna to the Lord,
the most high God; for He is God over all the earth, yea, even
above all. And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest
in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold
the things which thou hast desired … for I spake unto
Him [the Holy Spirit] as a man speaketh; for I beheld that He
was in the form of a man; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was
the Spirit of the Lord: and He spake unto me as a man speaketh
with another.
And it came to pass that He said unto me, “Look!”
And I looked as if to look upon Him, and I saw Him not; for
He had gone from before my presence. And it came to pass that
I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other
cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of
Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and
white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and
an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me,
“Nephi, what beholdest thou?”
And I said unto him, “A virgin, most beautiful and fair
above all other virgins.”
And he said unto me, “Knowest thou the condescension
of God?”
And I said unto him, “I know that He loveth His children;
nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things.”
And he said unto me, “Behold, the virgin whom thou seest
is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh.”
And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away
in the Spirit; And after she had been carried away in the Spirit
for the space of a time, the angel spake unto me, saying, “Look!”
And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in
her arms. And the angel said unto me, “Behold the
Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! ...."
And after he had said these words, he said unto me, “Look!”
And I looked, and I beheld the Son of God going forth among
the children of men. And I saw many fall down at His feet and
worship Him ....
And the angel said unto me again, “Look and behold the
condescension of God!” And I looked and beheld the Redeemer
of the world, of whom my father had spoken; And I also beheld
the prophet [John the Baptist] who should prepare the way before
Him. And the Lamb of God went forth and was baptized of him:
And after He was baptized, I beheld the heavens open, and the
Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abode upon Him in the
form of a dove. And I beheld that He went forth ministering
unto the people in power and great glory .... (1 Nephi 3:23-75;
italics added)
