We find four groups of people in Lehi's dream. The first group is found in
1 Nephi 8:21-23,
"21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.
22 And it came to pass that they did
come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 And it came to pass that there
arose a mist of
darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they
who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and
were lost."
In
come follow me it states, "this group of people 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.”
As I was driving home the other day I
could not stop thinking about this group. The rod of iron is the word of God
and this group did not have it. The idea that "There were numberless
concourses of people pressing forward that they might obtain the path which led
unto the tree by which I stood" ruminated in my mind. The inkling came to
me that this is the Gathering of Israel group. In D&C 123:12 we
read, "For there are many
yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the
subtle craftiness of
men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who
are only kept from the truth because they know not where
to find it"
This
group had commenced to the path, they desire to get to the tree. They are a
group of regular people living wholesome lives and doing honorable
things. When the mist of darkness shows up, as it does in all of our
lives and makes it impossible to see in front of you, this group has nothing to
hold on to. The Iron rod is missing. President Packer stated, "The
mist of darkness will cover you at times so much that you will not be able to
see your way even a short distance ahead. You will not be able to see clearly.
But you can feel your way. with the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way ahead through
life. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. through the power of the Holy
Ghost, you can feel your way through life."
As Members of the church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints, we have the gifts that help us hold the rod even when we
cannot see it. We have an obligation to this first group. Robert D Hales wisely declared,
"As Lehi studied the scriptures he learned what all of us learn by
studying the scriptures. Who we are. What we can become. Prophecies for us and
for our posterity. The commandments, laws, ordinances, and covenants we must
live by to obtain eternal life. And how we must live to endure to the
end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor. So essential are these truths
that Heavenly Father gave both Lehi and Nephi visions vividly representing the
word of God as a rod of iron. Both father and son learned that holding to this
strong, unbending, utterly reliable guide is the only way to stay on that straight and narrow path
that leads to our Savior."
Nephi is asked, "what desirest thou?" As we study
the Book of Mormon may our desire to live the principles we learn to shine bright.
Bright enough to light the way for those who need to see their way when the
mist becomes too thick for a time. May we desire to share it and the
divine compass that it is with those who do not have it. I know that the
promises of that extraordinary book will come into our lives and the
lives of those we love as we do. We will learn the truths that it holds, those
truths will give us the vigor we need to hold to the rod even when we cannot
see where we are going. It will confirm to us the truthfulness of who we are
and our potential as a Child of God. I feel fortunate to have the Rod of Iron
in my life. I am thankful for my son Daxon and other missionaries who share the
Book of Mormon and its beautiful message of the Savior with the
world. I know with all my heart that it is true.
