Isn’t it interesting that the rod of iron, our personal escort in our voyage back to our Heavenly Father’s presence is “extended along the bank of the river?” (1 Nephi 8:19) And not any old river, the rod of iron is extended along a river representing the filthiness, depravity, and malignity of the entire world! Why would the Lord put all those things so close to His strait and narrow path leading to what is termed the fruit of life? Could He not put it as far away from the filthiness of the world as possible? Okay, now is the time to throw out all preconceptions and assumptions, even when seemingly infallible. Where do we usually picture ourselves in this dream. I usually picture myself up on the path striving to hold on to the rod feeling sorrowful for the people who have fallen down in the filthy water. But has it ever occurred to you that even those who are constantly striving to hold fast to the rod aren’t perfect and sometimes find themselves in the depths of filthiness? Meaning you and I will eventually find ourselves in this dirty water. Wouldn’t it be hard if we had to pull ourselves out of this great ditch and then journey miles through a mist of darkness to find the right path? It is not like this! The second we find ourselves in despair, amidst heartache and in anguish of soul, the path is right there! We don’t have to go looking for it! Jesus Christ is waiting, and watching for those who have fallen in the river of filthiness to get out, and not to cling but to hold fast to Him! He has placed the path right in our way, not miles from us!  We can’t miss it! So go forth boldly in faith. As Jeffrey R. Holland said “His divine love and unfailing help will be with us even when we struggle—no, will be with us especially when we struggle.” He is there to cheer us on!

Now in light of the literary complexity of the many allegories to be found in the Book of Mormon, we sometimes miss some of the rich meaning and scriptural parallels to be found. As earlier mentioned, in the vision of the Tree of Life, there is a strait and narrow path. Not to be confused with a “straight” and narrow path, strait in this context means strict, or rigorous not straight as in a straight line. This is the path we must follow. It is not always easy or even comfortable for us, it will push us. Another significant point in the rod of iron, meaning the word of God. Or in other words all the truth that God has for us. And lastly, the fruit of the tree of life. This represents the love of God and His most precious gift for us. But is there more meaning to these symbolic representations than we acknowledge? Luckily for us, John 14:16 sheds light on this subject, and helps us draw parallels to deepen Nephi’s description of the vision. In this verse Jesus testifies, “I am the way the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (Emphasis added) Let me repeat, Jesus, is the way, the truth and the life. So what is the strait and narrow way? It is Jesus Christ. What is the truth, known as the iron rod? It is Jesus Christ. And finally what is the tree of life? It is Jesus Christ. He is the path we need to follow, the rod to which we need to hold fast, and His presence is the final destination. In 1 Nephi 8:30, Lehi saw “other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” Did you notice something interesting? They fell down, and partook of the fruit? Shouldn’t it be that they reached up and grabbed the fruit? How can you pick fruit off the ground? Either the Book of Mormon got this wrong, or maybe the tree of life really isn’t a tree at all. Maybe Jesus standing with His hands outstretched and glory shining about him appeared a long way of as a great pillar, or tree with light all around Him.  And perhaps, soon upon arrival, the multitudes fell down, worshipped Him, and “partook” of His atonement symbolically represented by the most sweet and satisfying of all the gifts God has to offer us. By no way is this interpretation doctrine, but it is my belief that Jesus Christ is the way, and by following and holding fast to Him, we can partake of His eternal atonement.