He Beheld Not the Filthiness

After Nephi's vision, his brothers asked him questions about the symbols in that dream. One of the symbols they asked about was the river of water. Nephi replied that it represented "filthiness...which separated the wicked from the tree of life." Then he goes on to say, "so much was [Lehi's] mind swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water" (1 Nephi 15:27-28). I love this verse. What a great blessing it must have been for Lehi to be so focused on the good, that he didn't even notice the filthiness. Mormon taught that "god inviteth and enticeth to do good continually" (Moroni 7:13). If we are continually seeking that which is good like Lehi, then all that is not good will simply drop out of our lives. 

In general it is pretty cut and dry what is good and what is not. However, it is much more difficult to discern between what is good and what is best. Mormon continues later by providing some great counsel on how distinguish between these two. he says, "ye should search diligently in the light of Christ" (Moroni 7:19). For example, when we are faced with the decision of whether we should spend time with our families or do something related to our church callings, we must search dilligently in that light. The Lord has promised that any who "dilligently seeketh shall find" (1 Nephi 10:19).