“I Have Dreamed a Dream Or I Have Seen a Vision”

Monte S. Nyman

Lehi equates his dream with having a vision. Joseph Smith made the same comparison in his work on the New Testament, changing the word dream to vision (see Matthew 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19; JST, Matthew 2:3, 7; 3:12, 19). However, it should be remembered that not all dreams are visions, nor do all visions come in dreams. Dreams are only one mode of receiving revelation. Lehi “was carried away in a vision” as he lay upon his bed in midday (1 Nephi 1:7–8). Nephi later speaks of “things which my father saw in visions and in dreams,” the two being mentioned together strongly suggests that some visions were not dreams. It seems that visions that come in dreams must leave an indelible impression upon the mind, not because of its being bizarre or weird, but because of there being a significant message. It should also be remembered that sometimes the message is not discernable until the time of fulfillment.

Book of Mormon Commentary: I Nephi Wrote This Record

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