Why Do People Let Go of the Iron Rod?
In one section of my book "Nephi's Journey: The Lord Prepares a Way," I discuss an enigma that has often confused me: Why do people let go of the iron rod at the very moment they need it the most? For simplicity, I will dive right into the message of this post, but for more background on these events, feel free to visit the About Page.
Numberless Concourses of People
In Lehi's vision of the tree of life, Lehi saw numberless concourses of people. Here is an outline of the four groups of people in this vision, specifically focusing on their level of connection to the iron rod.
Group 1: No Commitment: No Path and No Iron Rod
Lehi saw one group of people “feeling their way towards that great and
spacious building” (1 Nephi 8:31). This group did not even bother seeking after
the tree. They avoided both the path and the iron rod.
Group 2: Low Commitment: Obtained the Path but Not the Iron Rod
Lehi saw another group of people “commence in the path,” but when a mist
of darkness arose, “they … did lose their way, … and were lost” (1 Nephi 8:22–23). “Notice
that no mention is made in these verses of the rod of iron.”[i] This
group obtained the path but not the iron rod.
On a personal note, I used to wonder how this group could
possibly lose their way in the mists of darkness. They would have to
intentionally let go of the iron rod at the very moment they needed it the most.
But my underlying assumptions were wrong. This group did not let go of
the iron rod in the mists of darkness, for they never had a hold of it in the
first place. As a result, it was far easier for them to become lost. And what
is stranger still, this group did not even realize that they were lost. They
still thought they were on the strait and narrow path which leads to the Lord.
They were completely oblivious to the fact that they had wandered off course. They
did not have the iron rod as a reference point to even know where the strait and
narrow path was anymore. Because of this, they had no idea just how far off
track they had wandered.
There is nothing in the scriptures to indicate that this group ever had a hold of the iron rod. Quite the opposite. We read that this group merely “commenced in the path,” whereas the next group “caught hold of the end of the rod of iron.” The iron rod was the defining characteristic that distinguished and separated them.
Why in the
world would someone commence in the path but not get a hold of the iron rod? Or
put a different way, why in the world would we not study our scriptures every single
day? If we do not study the word of God, it is far easier for us to become lost
in the philosophies of the world and the temptations of the adversary. We need
to continually hold fast to the iron rod to give us a clear and unmistakable
identifier of where we are. It is the only reliable way to know if we are on
the right track.
Group 3: High Commitment: Obtained the Path and Clung to the Rod
The next group “caught hold of the end of the rod of iron;
and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of
iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.” (1
Nephi 8:24). This group obtained both the path and the iron rod. However,
as the record stands, the only time this group held onto the rod was during the
mists of darkness. To them, the word of God was important only in times of
difficulty or despair. This group only knew how to use the word of God in a
very limited scope and capacity. As a result, at a later time, they did not
know how to handle the mockery and ridicule of others, for that was an entirely
different type of challenge than the mists of darkness.
Group 4: Complete Commitment: Continually Held Fast to the Rod
In contrast, the mists of darkness are never mentioned in
connection with the final, most faithful group. There was no need, for they
held onto the iron rod all the time, with or without the mists of darkness. To
them, the word of God was always important. As a result, the mists of
darkness lost much of their power over them. This group’s normal condition and
state of being was to be guided by the iron rod at all times; it was no
different in the mists of darkness.
As we continually study God’s word, there is far less haze
and fog in our lives, and in Satan’s false ideas. Our destination and path to
the tree become far more clear. We become empowered to overcome every
type of life challenge—whether those challenges be the mists of darkness or the mockery of
others. Has this not been true for you?
This final group pressed
forward, “continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth
and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:30). Note it
well. The iron rod, this seemingly small and simple thing, is the
defining characteristic that distinguishes and separates the four groups of
people in the vision of the tree of life.
|
No Commitment |
Low
Commitment |
High
Commitment |
Complete
Commitment |
|
Does not even bother to find the path or the iron
rod. |
Finds the path, but never gets a hold of
the iron rod. |
Clings to the iron rod sporadically,
desperately, while in the mist of darkness. |
Continually holds fast to the iron rod, with or without the mist of darkness. |
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