He Beheld not the Filthiness...

Nephi was questioned by his brothers regarding the dream of their father. Nephi was asked what the river of water meant or symbolized.

Nephi's response is found in 1 Nephi 15:27 when he explains, "The water was filthiness; and so much was his mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water."

Though there are layers of meaning and symbolism in the different analogies, I realized one profound interpretation from the previous scripture.

When his mind was swallowed up in other things, he didn't behold the filthiness of the water. Sometimes, some of us may be considered naive as to the latest slang, video games, or grievous sins of the world...is that a bad thing? Sometimes I'll learn of some horrific violence, someone who violated an office, or some secret work or combination and I'm amazed that such wickedness could actually transpire. How do such situations of awful wickedness ever develop in the first place?

Is our mind focused and oriented on Christ, such that we don't behold the filthiness which surrounds us on every side?

We live in a world of corruption...drugs, pornography, secret combinations, and so on. Although it's important to be aware of those traps and temptations, when we keep our minds focused on Christ and his gospel, we generally don't understand or behold the filthiness of the water - which is a blessing.

This is simply a reminder not to walk up to the waters edge and see how filthy it really is. We don't need to look at the water. Our concern should be to cling to the rod of iron and keep our focus on the tree and its fruit. When we keep our eyes and efforts focused on the tree and its fruit, our minds and spirit are more likely to be swallowed up and we won't behold the filthiness which surrounds us.