"Word", "thing" and Christ -- Part 2: Does the fruit of the tree of life have seeds?

This series is based on the Hebrew 'dbr' root which can mean both word and thing. We saw how that plays out in the creation account in part 1. I have actually mentioned this root in a previous post discussing Alma 32. This chapter seems to play on this word/thing dualism too, indicating that this dual meaning from Hebrew may have been carried over in Nephite tradition and language. 

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word. (Alma 32)

The extensive use of this word/thing dualism in the creation account and the fact that there are lots of other allusions to the creation account in Alma 32 provides interesting context. Alma 32 is the creation of the tree of life that starts with the word. Alma asks his listeners to give place to the word, as if it is a thing that occupies space. In the beginning we cannot see it. We can only use faith ("hope for things which are not seen") and look forward to the result with an "eye of faith" (Alma 32:40), not our physical eyes. But the word can eventually grow into a tree, even the tree of life.

When God created the world by his word, he also created the trees

And I, God, said: Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, the fruit tree yielding fruit, after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed should be in itself upon the earth, and it was so even as I spake. (Moses 2:11)

The parallels are striking. When God created the world, his word caused trees to grow, yielding fruit. Alma asks the Zoramites to take the word of God, plant it in their hearts and see if it can grow into a tree yielding fruit. We engage in a God-like process learning to become like Him by transforming the word into things.

In Moses 1:4, we read

my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.

This is repeated again in verse 38 in the same chapter. What does it mean that his words never cease? Does he simply never stop talking? I think it goes much deeper than that. What happens when a seed grows into a tree? As quoted in Moses 2:11, "the tree yielding fruit, whose seed should be in itself", ensures that the seed is always preserved. Instead of disappearing when growing into a tree, the seed multiplies. Each fruit has seed in itself with the potential to become new trees. So does the fruit of the tree of life have seeds? A silly question, perhaps, since the tree of life is symbolic. (Or who knows, perhaps we will eat literal fruit "sweet" above all that is sweet" some day). But contemplating the symbolism has lead me here, so bear with me. Just as a single seed multiplies, the word of God multiplies. When God spoke and created the world, he also created man in his own image and likeness. Just like the tree contains seeds that can grow into new trees in their likeness, man can follow that pattern and multiply.

29 Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelation and commandment, by my word, saith the Lord, and hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne.
30 Abraham received promises concerning his seed, and of the fruit of his loins—from whose loins ye are, namely, my servant Joseph—which were to continue so long as they were in the world; and as touching Abraham and his seed, out of the world they should continue; both in the world and out of the world should they continue as innumerable as the stars; or, if ye were to count the sand upon the seashore ye could not number them. (D&C 132)

This is deep and pretty big, but you can probably see where I'm going with this. The promises that Abraham received concerning his seed was briefly touched upon in part 1. I quoted a verse where Abraham had received that promise using the 'dbr' root to state that no word/thing is too hard for the Lord. That word from the Lord was like a seed that multiplied for Abraham. We can receive the same blessings. 

The beginning of becoming like God is done by small and simple means: Planting his word in our hearts. But it can grow to a tree "springing up unto everlasting life" (Alma 32:41). But as God revealed to Joseph Smith,it doesn't end there. The fruit of the tree of life has "seed in itself" with the potential of "eternal lives" (D&C 132:24) and "a continuation of the seeds forever and ever" (D&C 132:19). This is why God's words never cease as Moses 1:4 states. More from D&C 132:

13 And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.
14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.

I'm not highlighting "word" and "things" to try to argue that God engaged in Hebrew wordplay when speaking to Joseph Smith in English. These are two common words that can naturally appear in the same paragraph. But I do believe that there is some deeper knowledge and inspiration found in the Hebrew language. In this case, knowledge that God's word is much more than just a string of letters or a sound in our ears, and I think that the scriptures quoted here along with lots of other scriptures demonstrate that.

I feel many aspects of this topic is over my head, and it is hard to wrap my head around things that go way beyond my mortal experience and understanding. But there is beautiful symbolism found in the scriptures that is waiting to be uncovered and shows us a pattern that helps us getting a glimpse of eternity.