2/4/22 Hello Brandon, I don’t particularly like DAB’s talks. But I love the way he writes! This was in the Ensign’11.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/10/lehis-dream-holding-fast-to-the-rod?lang=eng
Lehi’s Dream
Holding Fast to the Rod
By Elder David A. Bednar
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The overarching theme of the Book of Mormon—inviting all to come unto Christ—is paramount in Lehi’s vision.
I love the Book of Mormon. Some of my earliest gospel memories are of my mother reading to me from Book of Mormon Stories for Young Latter-day Saints, by Emma Marr Petersen. In those childhood experiences and during a lifetime of ongoing personal study and prayer, the Holy Ghost repeatedly has borne witness to my soul that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.[Hello Brandon, I ordered that book for my grandkids! I figured I could even show them this talk.-v]
I testify that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon with and by the power of God. And I witness that the Book of Mormon is “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” [ Brandon, the book of Moses adds tons to the first 8 chapters of Genesis! Since studying the D&C last year my testimony of the revelations JS received is rock solid. It is 1830 as he writes the book of Moses. The OT represents God as a vengeful, punishing, castigating God. After studying Moses 7 that all changes. He cries, he weeps for the consequences his disobedient children suffer. I don’t think there is more weeping than in these long 69 verses. In fact it makes me nervous! If God & JC weep, and I am trying to be like them. . . am I going to have to feel so deeply for the suffering of wicked men that I have to learn to weep too? I don’t cry Brandon! I don’t cry for anything! Here are 3 phrases that explain why God weeps: 1-Satan shall be their father, and misery shall be their doom; 2-and the whole heavens shall weep over them, even all the workmanship of mine hands; wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing these shall suffer? 3-and until that day they shall be in dtorment. Enoch is absolutely floored that this God of the Universe can weep! But by the end God has shown him enough that Enoch understands and feels and weeps too. He is a likeness/shadow of Christ. Enoch knew, and looked upon their wickedness, and their misery, and wept and stretched forth his arms, and his bheart swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned]
Key Symbols in Lehi’s Dream
The importance of reading, studying, searching, and pondering the scriptures in general and the Book of Mormon in particular is highlighted in several elements of Lehi’s vision of the tree of life (see 1 Nephi 8).
The central feature in Lehi’s dream is the tree of life—a representation of “the love of God” (see 1 Nephi 11:21–22). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Thus, the birth, life, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ are the greatest manifestations of God’s love for His children. [I can’t believe God loves me like that! -v] As Nephi testified, this love is “most desirable above all things” and, as the angel in his vision declared, “most joyous to the soul” (1 Nephi 11:22–23; see also 1 Nephi 8:12, 15). Chapter 11 of 1 Nephi presents a detailed description of the tree of life as a symbol for the life, ministry, and sacrifice of the Savior—“the condescension of God” (1 Nephi 11:16).![I love it when Nephi tells the angel:Knowest thou the condescension of God?17 And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things. N-all I know is that he loves his children. -v]
The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement. Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully efficacious in our lives. The fruit is described as “desirable to make one happy” (1 Nephi 8:10) and produces great joy and the desire to share that joy with others.
Significantly, the overarching theme of the Book of Mormon—inviting all to come unto Christ—is paramount in Lehi’s vision. Of particular interest is the rod of iron that led to the tree (see 1 Nephi 8:19). The rod of iron is the word of God.
Clinging versus Continually Holding Fast to the Rod
Father Lehi saw four groups of people in his dream. Three of the groups were pressing forward along the strait and narrow path seeking to obtain the tree and its fruit. A fourth group did not seek after the tree, desiring instead the great and spacious building as their ultimate destination (see 1 Nephi 8:31–33).I know[Sister Carol Leischman used these 4 groups in her answer to one of the three questions the Area presidency had us consider for our 5th Sunday combined meeting. It made me curious so I looked them up and shared this article with her. -v]
In 1 Nephi 8:21–23 we learn about the first group of people who pressed forward and commenced in the path that led to the tree of life. However, as the people encountered the mist of darkness, which represents “the temptations of the devil” (1 Nephi 12:17), they lost their way, wandered off, and were lost.
Notice that no mention is made in these verses of the rod of iron. Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior. Consider that this group obtained the path and pressed forward, exhibiting a measure of faith in Christ and spiritual conviction, but they were diverted by the temptations of the devil and were lost.
In 1 Nephi 8:24–28 we read about a second group of people who obtained the strait and narrow path that led to the tree of life. This group “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” (verse 24). However, as the finely dressed occupants of the great and spacious building mocked this second group of people, “they were ashamed” and “fell away into forbidden paths and were lost” (verse 28). Please notice that this group is described as “clinging to the rod of iron” (1 Nephi 8:24; emphasis added).
It is significant that the second group pressed forward with faith and commitment. They also had the added blessing of the rod of iron, and they were clinging to it! However, as they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group eventually was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God.
In verse 30 we read about a third group of people who 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.” The key phrase in this verse is continually holding fast to the rod of iron.
The third group also pressed forward with faith and conviction; however, there is no indication that they wandered off, fell into forbidden paths, or were lost. Perhaps this third group of people consistently read and studied and searched the scriptures. Perhaps it was diligence and devotion to a seemingly “small and simple [thing]” (Alma 37:6) that saved the third group from perishing. Perhaps it was “the knowledge of the Lord” and “the knowledge of the truth” (Alma 23:5, 6) obtained through faithful study of the scriptures that yielded the spiritual gift of humility—such that this group of people “fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:30; emphasis added). Perhaps it was the spiritual nourishment and strength provided by continually “feasting upon the word of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:20) that enabled this group to heed not the scorning and mocking of the people in the great and spacious building (see 1 Nephi 8:33). This is the group you and I should strive to join.
Nephi’s brothers asked, “What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?
“And [Nephi] said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction” (1 Nephi 15:23–24; emphasis added).
What, then, is the difference between clinging and holding fast to the rod of iron? Let me suggest that holding fast to the iron rod entails, in large measure, the prayerful, consistent, and earnest use of the holy scriptures as a sure source of revealed truth and as a reliable guide for the journey along the strait and narrow path to the tree of life—even to the Lord Jesus Christ.
“And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life” (1 Nephi 11:25). [I need these everyday. GC is my staple! And doing OT with Marea and BoM with my class each week really help me. I wish you had someone to prepare for and to share with, Brandon. -v]
The Book of Mormon Is for Us Today
The Book of Mormon sets forth truths that are relevant and essential in our day and for our circumstances. The spiritual and practical relevance of the Book of Mormon in our lives is highlighted by Moroni: “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” (Mormon 8:35). Having seen our day and circumstances through the foreknowledge of God, the principal authors of the Book of Mormon specifically included the topics and examples of greatest importance to the inhabitants of the earth in the latter days. [This is amazing to me and hard to believe.-v]
I invite you to consider carefully and prayerfully the following question: What lessons can and should I learn from Lehi’s vision of the tree of life and from the principle of continually holding fast to the rod of iron that will enable me to stand spiritually strong in the world in which we live today?
As you work diligently and seek inspiration to answer this important question, you will come to understand more fully by the power of the Holy Ghost, both in your heart and in your mind, the importance of continually holding fast to the rod of iron. And you will be blessed to apply those lessons with faith and diligence in your individual life and in your home.
May we all have eyes to see and ears to hear additional lessons from Lehi’s vision that will help us to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Nephi 31:20).
2/1/22 Brandon, this is at the end of the wiki article on Insane Asylums. In summer 2009, author and columnist Heather Mac Donald stated in City Journal, "jails have become society's primary mental institutions, though few have the funding or expertise to carry out that role properly... at Rikers, 28% of the inmates require mental health services, a number that rises each year."[84]2 Psychiatric hospitals is what insane asylums have evolved into. Thank heavens for drugs. Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental health units or behavioral health units, are hospitals or wards specializing in the treatment of severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Wikipedia
2/4/22 Hello Brandon, As I was indexing yesterday I realized that I am very excitable. I have never owned that characteristic before. When the Mackays’33’36 for their second helping of Indexing today I cheered and clapped my hands. Then I admitted I am very excitable. They loved it. It explained why I don’t act like everyone else. I am smiling as I write this. It is a revelation to me. :)
