The Great and Spacious Building

Painting of Lehi's Dream by Steven Lloyd Neal 

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.

26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

In the August 2010 Ensign Magazine, Elder Boyd K. Packer (p.23) suggests we put ourselves into Lehi's dream.  When people mock and scorn us, are we ashamed? Do we join them in the great and spacious building?  Or like Lehi do we heed them not?  

He writes: "Largely because of television, instead of looking over into that spacious building, we are, in effect, living inside of it.  That is your fate in this generation.  You are living in that great and spacious building."

Because of television and the internet, if we are living in the great and spacious building, we must be even more vigilant in assuring that we hold fast to the iron rod (and remain true to gospel principles and values).  We need to careful to look at and read only those things that are "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" (Article of Faith 13). 

"You will be safe if you look and groom like and act like an ordinary Latter-day Saint," writes Elder Packer. "Dress modestly, attend your meetings, pay tithes, take the sacrament, honor the priesthood, honor your parents, follow your leaders, read the scriptures, study the Book of Mormon, and pray - always pray.  An unseen power will hold your hand as you hold to the iron rod."