This is PART 3 of a multiple part posting, please read PART 1 and PART 2 to get the background.

The menorah candle branch tops were cup-shaped in order that olive oil could be poured into them with a wick. The candles were oil lamps rather than wax candles. This is very significant. Oil is typically the symbol of the Spirit or the Holy Ghost.

The menorah would produce a lot of light with its seven branches and cup-shaped holders on top. Much like the Tree of Life’s fruit was described as white or light (see 1 Nephi 8:11;11:8). Remember also that the menorah is a symbol of the burning bush, which is also another description of the Tree of Life. As we know, Moses was really talking face to face with the Savior (see Moses 1:1-2,17). Hence, the Tree of Life is burning or lighted to produce light to see through the darkness or wickedness.

The oil is what produces the light, or it is the Spirit of God that produces the light in our lives. When one partook of the fruit of the Tree of Life, it was described as most joyous, desirable, white, sweet, precious, beautiful, pure and great (see 1 Nephi 8:11; 11:8; 15:36; Alma 32:42). All of these adjectives perfectly describe both the Savior Jesus Christ as well as the Spirit. When we feel the Spirit in our lives we feel great, pure, beautiful (like a child of God), precious, sweet, white (clean, pure, victorious, and with nothing to hide), with desires to serve, and have joy. The Spirit is the fruit of the Tree of Life. All the promises that we receive in the Gospel of Jesus Christ come down to “always having His Spirit to be with us.” We know we are loved by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when we feel the Spirit. We know that we are worthy when we feel the Spirit. We know we have received answers to prayer when we feel the Spirit.

The Spirit is the way we know what is Truth. The Spirit is the confirmation to all that is done in the Lord’s Church. We literally can partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life every time we feel the Spirit. Which can and should be a real and daily occurrence in our lives. The burning of the Tree of Life should be our guide, light, comfort, discernment, direction, insight, etc. in each of our lives.

Additional posts in this series: Part 4, Part 5