Our journey in the wilderness

In 1 Nephi 2:2, we learn that Lehi takes is family and departs into the wilderness. A Jewish rabbi comments

The biblical Hebrew for wilderness is the word מדבר (midbar) which can also be understood as "medaber" which means "I speak". The wilderness in Jewish tradition also represents a spiritual state of emptying oneself from the values of this world so as to learn the way of G-d. Thus, this marks the beginning of the spiritual journey of Lehi in which G-d would teach him His ways.

As a side note, this comment made me realize that there is a word-play when Isaiah talks about "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness" in Isaiah 40:3.

Anyway, this idea of emptying oneself from the values of this world is further illustrated in verse 4.

And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.

The wilderness carries a lot of symbolism. A recent article at the Book of Mormon Central discusses some of that. Although Lehi's exodus was a physical and real event, it also works as a metaphor for our journey through life. Alma certainly thinks so. In Alma 37:43-45 he explains this to his son, Helaman.

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.

44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

I will not elaborate extensively on this subject now, perhaps I will post more on it later, but reading about their journey with this metaphor in mind can add some depth to several passages. I will share two that come to mind.

And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. (1 Nephi 16:16)

If we follow the directions of God's word, they will lead us to the more fertile parts in the wilderness of life, the parts that can give us nourishment and help us grow. We can get a small taste in this life of the fruit that awaits us in abundance in the promised land/next life.

And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led. (1 Nephi 17:13) 

This one goes without commenting. Just read it again replacing 'wilderness' with 'mortal probation' and 'promised land' with 'celestial kingdom'.