You’ve probably had one before—a mental spiral. It’s when your mind starts writing worst-case scenarios, feeding insecurities, or making unfair assumptions about people. Regardless of the situation, it never feels good to think this way.
If my dad ever catches me in one of these headspaces, he reminds me:
“Vain imaginations.”
What Are Vain Imaginations?
In his dream of the tree of life, Lehi sees a great and spacious building filled with men and women of all ages. These people are finely dressed, and they mock and point at those partaking of the fruit of the tree of life.
Nephi learns that the building represents “vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men,” which Elder Kevin W. Pearson defined simply as “distraction and deception.”
In my experience, vain imaginations can take several forms. They can be worldly beliefs and practices that, though enticing, are untrue and can threaten our spiritual or physical safety. They can also be untrue thoughts and fears that run amok in our minds and disrupt our peace.
Regardless of their form, it’s important to know that vain imaginations are vain, meaning “useless” and imaginary, or “lacking factual reality.” Thus, when we entertain vain imaginations, we are giving our precious time and attention to things that are untrue and potentially damaging.
How Do We Avoid Them?
In Lehi’s dream, Laman and Lemuel refused to partake of the fruit, perhaps because they were distracted by those in the great and spacious building.
How did the rest of the family avoid distraction?
Nephi says, “We heeded them not. These are the words of my father: For as many as heeded them, had fallen away.”
To heed means “to give consideration or attention to.” The power of controlling our thoughts and attention comes up repeatedly in scripture and may be a key in preserving our spiritual (as well as mental and emotional) health.
For example, in an address to his people, King Benjamin touches on the importance of this kind of self-control, saying,
“If ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish.”
Notice that the first thing he says to watch is our thoughts.
President Russell M. Nelson taught that watching our thoughts is not an effortless task. He counseled, “Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But, when we do, our doubts and fears flee.”
When you feel under the influence of vain imaginations that disrupt your peace, tempt you, or bring fear into your heart, say a prayer and train your mind on Jesus Christ. For He is truth, and “the truth shall make you free.”
For a deeper study on this topic, check out the following scriptures and articles:
- Doctrine and Covenants 6:36
- Doctrine and Covenants 93:23–28, 36–37
- 2 Corinthians 10:3–7
- Proverbs 16:3
- Proverbs 23:7
- Romans 12:1–3
- Philippians 4:6–8
- 2 Nephi 4:27–30
▶ Does God feel far away? Try this when you pray
▶ A calming Isaiah verse for when you’re worried about the future
▶ Peace can be a choice. 3 ways to re-center on Christ when worry sets in
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