“A Large and Spacious Field”

Brant Gardner

Narrative analysis: The large and spacious field contrasts with the dark and dreary waste. This change in scene occurs after Lehi's faithful request, and must be seen as a response to it. Structurally, the shift in scene serves to move from the beginning of the story to the essence of the symbolic revelation.

Symbolic analysis: The shift from dark and dreary waste to spacious field is one of wild to civilized. The dream begins in a symbolic state of disorder, and moves to an ordered state. The ordered state is seen as more desirable, and therefore "higher" in order and importance. Lehi moves from the current world to a higher plane when he enters this phase of the dream.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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