“What is the Fountain of Living Waters”

Bryan Richards

The fountain of living waters is a symbol as significant as the tree of life. If one drinks from the fountain of living waters, one will live forever with the blessings of eternal life. If one partakes of the tree of life, one receives the same blessing. They both represent the love of God for his children. This fountain of living waters is a part of the great, celestialized city of Jerusalem which John the revelator saw, For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (Rev 7:17). John was shown the close relationship between the celestial tree of life and the fountain of living waters, 'he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life…let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely' (Rev 22:1-2,17).

These waters are separate from the river described by Lehi and Nephi. The river was filthy and is representative of the depths of hell.

Merrill J. Bateman

"Another indication that the 'love of God' refers to Christ is the reference to the fountain. The 'fountain of living water' symbol in the scriptures refers to Jehovah or Jesus. Jehovah lamented the fact that the Jewish nation had forsaken Him, 'the fountain of living waters' (Jer. 2:13Jer. 2:13). Jesus offered living water to the woman of Samaria at the well. Not understanding, she told Him that the well was deep and that He did not have anything with which to draw. He then said: 'Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' (John 4:10John 4:11John 4:12John 4:13John 4:14John 4:10-14.) The 'fountain of living water' is a type of Christ as the source of life with regard to both immortality and eternal life." (Heroes from the Book of Mormon, p. 23.)

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