This is part of a post from one of my other blogs--dated December 7, 2008:
...When I went to the temple on Tuesday afternoon, it reminded me of how much I love the paintings that are hanging on the walls there. That is one of the reasons I have religious pictures hanging on the walls of our home as well--to remind me of the temple.
These three pictures are all scenes from the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and they all relate to each other.
Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life,
the brazen serpent that Moses placed on the pole in the wilderness, and the
Liahona are all currently hanging in my walk-in closet.
There are a few verses in the Book of Mormon that tie these symbols together for me. In Alma 37:38-46 it says:
"...I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.... 
And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.... Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever."
Basically, what it boils down to is this: The tree of life (and the fruit from the tree) symbolizes the love of God as manifested in His Son.
The brazen serpent that Moses placed on the pole in the wilderness also symbolizes the Son of God and the healing effects of His Atonement--if the people would just look at it, they would be healed from the bites of the serpents and would live. And if Lehi and his family would have faith in the Liahona which the Lord prepared, they would be guided in the wilderness. All of these are simple means to the same end. And the gospel is easy, especially if you compare it to the chaos and confusion that is in the world today. I am very thankful for the Atonement of the Savior and its influence in my life.
The Savior spoke about the yoke in Matthew 11:28-30. Sister Johnson compares the yoke to a modern-day symbol that she could relate to and saw regularly: her side-by-side refrigerator/ freezer. I can also relate to that because when I was younger I always thought it was so neat that the water and ice would come out of the front. I always told people that when I got one of those when I was grown up that I would have "arrived." Well, my husband bought me one a few years ago and so... I have, apparently, arrived in life. :) And I can also be reminded of the Savior's yoke whenever I look at it... which is quite often throughout my day. So, all of these things are easy and simple: the Savior's yoke, the Liahona, the serpent on the pole, and partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life--but their effects are everlasting.
I know that the Savior's Atonement works. It's real. It is miraculous. And I'm so thankful for it.
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."
That is my testimony as well. I've felt His mercy in taking away the sins that I've repented of, helping me deal with difficult emotional struggles, comforting me in childbirth, and helping me as I try to be a good mother to my children. I don't always succeed, but I do so much better with His help and power than I ever could on my own. The key is to have faith in that power. To believe that He really loved us that much--personally, as well as collectively. To believe that He can truly save us now and eternally because of His righteousness. I believe Him and I love Him. I hope that I can somehow pass that understanding on to my children.
And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. 
