One Man Mormon Blues Band: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

I Nephi 8:2 "And it came to pass that while my Father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying, 'Behold, I have dreamed a dream . . . .'"

I had never really tried to envision this dream before. I have seen numerous artistic depictions. But as I thought about the dream none of them seemed . . . dreamlike. Artists use certain techniques to show us when they are depicting a dream; blurred edges, unrealistic lighting, imaginary creatures.

But my dreams aren't like that at all. My dreams are surreal. The colors are vivid, real things are mixed up with imaginary things, events are connected in a flow of time yet oddly disconnected by place. And when I awake I am often confused.

So I attempted to create some of those qualities in Lehi's dream; flaming colors, unusual combinations, real places with vague places. Probably the line I get asked about most is the "saphire and diamond foam" in the filthy river. Well, see that was supposed to represent filthy lucre or wealth. I regret using that now as most people don't get it.

I dreamed I saw a purple tree
With fruit a flaming pink
And leading to it a silver pole
It seemed a sacred link

Nearby a crystal river
With sapphire and diamond foam
I know not where that river tree is
Except it is far from home

I dreamed an emerald meadow
Inside a twisted wilderness
Where gray clouds blew and dust did too
And obscured my valiant quest

The messenger who brought me here
Was completely dressed in white
We wrestled on through the darkest night
But I know not who won the fight

I dreamed I saw the Parthenon
Shining in the sun
Horses chariots and purple robes
And mighty deeds were done

With laughter they did celebrate
And praise and honor given
And they mocked me a simple man
For eating fruit from Heaven

I dreamed I saw people lost in mist
And others lost at sea
And some did cling to the silver rod
And thereby joined me

I dreamed more than a man can dream
I cannot tell it all
But the strangest thing was when I awoke
It was no dream at all