In the last episode we noted that the language of the New Testament led to the description of the straight and narrow path. When we see “numberless concourses of people pressing forward, that they might obtain the path,” we see the wider expanse of Lehi ‘s vision. Where the New Testament was interested in those who had entered through the strait gate onto the narrow path, Lehi is concerned with the multitudes who begin in the correct direction, but do not make it.
When the large numbers “commence in the path which led to the tree” we understand that while the New Testament language was applied to Lehi’s dream, it doesn’t quite fit the imagery. In Lehi’s dream there are large numbers who begin on the path. That isn’t the effect of a strait gate, or even a narrow path. There is certainly a path, but the importance in Lehi’s dream is the destination of the path, not its size. Lehi will make it clear that it is not the size of the path that winnows out the many who are pressing forward, but their own choices.
The first image of how people miss the path is the mists of darkness. Lehi doesn’t define what they are, and didn’t need to. Anything which obscures the clear vision of where we should go can lead us to become lost. As Lehi presents the mists, they affect everyone. They are a part of the process. It will not be an obstacle without a solution, but it will still be an obstacle that will require specific effort to overcome.
At this point, some of the numberless concourses of people, who begin, have been lost.