Lehi's Pillar of Fire

And in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent, or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.

Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.

And it came to pass as he prayed unto the Lord, there came a pillar of fire and dwelt upon a rock before him; and he saw and heard much. (1 Nephi 1: 4-6)

There are various curious statements in these three verses. Things I have glanced at and wondered about many times but never paused for long to consider. What are the implications of the arrival of “many prophets?” What does Nephi mean when he says that his father prayed “in behalf of his people?” What is the significance of the “pillar of fire?” And what was Lehi’s status prior to the arrival of the many prophets and his experience with the pillar of fire?

When I consider the order of the Church today, I see that the Lord has ordained one prophet and president through whom his word is revealed and interpreted. It seems contrary to that order that many prophets should come to Jerusalem.

But I have always held the underlying assumption that the arrival of these prophets in Lehi’s day was uncoordinated. Perhaps that is a false assumption. Perhaps these were like bands of missionaries, authorized by the prophet Jeremiah, who already had prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem.

And how does Lehi fit into the picture? Lehi received a marvelous visitation and vision. But he did not apparently receive new doctrine. His vision supported the witness of the prophet Jeremiah who came before him. Lehi called the people to repentance and testified of Christ.

What about Lehi’s prayer? Who are “his people?” Does Nephi mean that his father prayed for his people the Jews? Or does Nephi mean that Lehi prayed for the salvation of his family members who were living amidst this great wickedness? Or both? Both would be a safe interpretation. Lehi went out and risked his life and his family’s safety to call the Jews to repentance. And the rest of the story is all about the Lord’s preservation of Lehi and his family.

Regarding the pillar of fire, Moses also observed fire when he spoke with the Lord, although his was in or on a bush. I don’t understand this. Joseph Smith described the arrival of the Father and His Son in a pillar of fire that descended gradually from overhead. I have understood this to be a manifestation of God’s glory, the power or energy of his presence. We are taught that celestial beings dwell amidst eternal burnings, the chariot of fire observed by Elijah and Elisha.

Is the pillar of fire Nephi’s way of describing the Lord’s presence? Or did the pillar of fire serve as some kind of viewing device, Lehi looking literally into the fire were he “saw and heard much?”

I don’t have many answers today. But questions are an invitation to the Spirit of Revelation.