Rod Of Iron

ROD OF IRON

Jan Griffith, May 2007

“And I beheld a rod of iron; and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. And I also beheld a straight and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; And it also led by the head of the fountain unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world; 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. And it came to pass that they did come forth and commence in the path which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceeding great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and 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. And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld on the other side of the river of water a great and spacious building; And it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth; And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; And their manner of dress was exceeding fine; And they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at, and were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father. But, to be short in writing, behold, he 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. And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.” (1 Nephi 2:69-79)

Everyone in the restoration should be acquainted with this parable. But how many in the restoration have “caught hold” of this rod, and are “continually pressing their way forward with it?”

“And they said unto me, What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree? And I 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. Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; Yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God, and remember to keep his commandments always, in all things.” (1 Nephi 4:38-42)

Nephi explained that the only way to prevent spiritual blindness is to hold fast to this Rod, and give heed to it. The Inspired Version of the Bible says the same thing; and please note where it gives this instruction – right after the description of Christ’s return in glory:

“And they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And whoso treasureth up my word shall not be deceived.” (Mark 13:42-43)

The Word of God speaks a parable of ten virgins. All were “virgins.” All waited for the coming of the Bridegroom, so all were Christians, yet only five were wise. What made them wise? They carried oil in their lamps. What does that mean? Latter day revelation explains:

“And at that day when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins; for they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived, verily I say unto you” (Section 45:10b).

The oil is the Holy Spirit. Some believe that the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost are different things. Whether they are or aren’t, each have a common relationship with God’s Word:

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31)

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” (Acts 10:44)

“And the word of the Lord came to me by the power of the Holy Ghost, saying, Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord, and your God.” (Mor 8:8)

“And after this manner did the Holy Ghost manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children.”
(Mor 8:10)

“…and I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom” (Sec 35:1b).

“…and whoso receiveth you receiveth me, and you shall have power to declare my word in the demonstration of my holy spirit” (Sec 96:1b).

Jesus relayed a parable to his disciples about a Sower who went forth to sow seeds, and he explained that if we did not understand this parable, we would probably not understand any of his parables. The parable of the sower is a parable about God’s Word, or the Rod of Iron.

“And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? And how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the wayside, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which receive the word on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness, and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time; and afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they who receive the word among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they who receive the word on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit; some thirty-fold, some sixty and some an hundred. And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick? I say unto you, Nay; For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should in due time come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:3-19)

Indeed, how can we understand any parable if not this one? The Book of Mormon expands this parable about seeds by explaining how we should “exercise faith” – something that requires a soft heart, and a willingness to feast diligently upon God’s Word.

“Now we will compare the word unto a seed. Now if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; And when you feel those swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves, It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding; yea, and it beginneth to be delicious to me. Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge. But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then ye must needs say, that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith, for ye will say, I know that this is a good seed, for behold, it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. And now behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness; therefore, if a seed groweth, it is good, but if it groweth not, behold, it is not good; therefore it is cast away. And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. And now behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; And this because you know; for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea; because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible; therefore ye must know that it is good. And now behold, after ye have tasted this light, is your knowledge perfect? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed, that ye might try the experiment, to know if the seed was good. And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say, let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care, it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold, it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root, it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. Now this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable. But it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree; therefore ye can not have the fruit thereof. And thus it is if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold, it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life; And because of your diligence, and your faith, and your patience with the word, in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by, ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white; yea, and pure above all that is pure; And ye shall feast upon this fruit, even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. Then my brethren ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you. Now after Alma had spoken these words, they sent forth unto him desiring to know whether they should believe in one God, that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken, or how they should plant the seed, or the word, of which he had spoken, which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith? (Alma 16:152-174)

We are the caretakers of God’s great garden. The number of his seeds is infinite. The more of them that we plant, the greater our faith will become.

Latter Day Parable

Latter day revelation contains an interesting parable for the last days:

“Behold, this I have given unto you a parable, and it is even as I am: I say unto you, Be one; and if ye are not one, ye are not mine. And again I say unto you, that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives. Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land. I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you, by their wickedness, in a manner that shall speak in your ears, with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth: but if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.” (Section 38:6a-d)

The Lord is warning us to “treasure up wisdom” so that a latter day “voice” will not overcome us. What gives us wisdom? God’s Word, or the Rod of Iron, gives us wisdom.

“Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.” (Proverbs 4:5-9)

“Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word.” (Psalms 119:169)

According to the parable, we need this wisdom because a latter day “voice” is going to be even louder than the voice which will shake the earth. Whose voice will shake the earth? The Lord’s!

“For the day cometh that the Lord shall utter his voice out of heaven; the heavens shall shake and the earth shall tremble, and the trump of God shall sound both long and loud, and shall say to the sleeping nations; Ye saints arise and live; Ye sinners stay and sleep until I shall call again: wherefore gird up your loins, lest ye be found among the wicked. Lift up your voices and spare not.” (Section 43:5b-c)

The voice we are warned about is going to be even louder than the Lord’s voice which will shake the earth and the heavens! What are voices? Voices are words.

“…and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice, or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (Section 1:8b).

“Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful” (Section 26:1a).

“Open ye your ears and hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, whose word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of the joints and marrow, soul and spirit; and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Section 32:1b).

“Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word” (Psalms 103:20).

“And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken” (Jacob 5:8).

“And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army; for his camp is very great, for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?” (Joel 2:11)

Which “voice” is loud in our ears today? What did the parable say?

In the book of Revelation, we are warned that Satan casts out of his “mouth” a flood, in hopes of sweeping away the woman (the Church) in his swift currents. Satan is flooding us with words.

“And the serpent casteth out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood” (Revelation 12:15).

Jeremiah warned of this same flood:

“Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers? Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof.” (Jeremiah 46:7-8)

Isaiah said that Ephraim would be drunk by this flood. He also said that God would bring forth his own flood in due time (but please note which flood comes first):

“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.” (Isaiah 28:1-2)

Satan has always deluged this world by the flood of his words – this is nothing new. What is new is the intensity of that flood, in preparation for an end time delusion so great that even the elect, if possible, could be deceived by it.

In 1836, the House of Rothschild purchased land in Palestine, and established irrigation systems there so that “Lebanon could become as a fruitful field.” In the mid to late 1800s, Lord Rothschild was busy organizing what came to be known as “British-Israel,” a restoration counterfeit if ever there was one. In the mid 1800s, Albert Pike and Brigham Young were establishing a foothold for Freemasonry (a Melchizedek counterfeit) here in America. Pike outlined a global plan for three world wars, the third of which we have entered. A global political body was erected in the early 1900s called the League of Nations, now known as the United Nations. The first World Parliament of Religions was established in 1893, the first Zionist Conference in 1897. In 1901, a “neo-Pentecostal” (Holiness) movement was established and the “gifts of the spirit” became something that was “taught” rather than something that was “given.” A Federal Council of Churches was founded by Rockefeller in 1908. The ecumenical movement officially established itself in 1910 when an interdenominational committee was formed. The Assemblies of God churches were established in 1914, another restoration counterfeit. In 1917, Rothschild’s England gave Zionism the movement to revive a Jewish state. England lobbied the League of Nations for a mandate to govern the new colony of Palestine. The World Council of Churches was formed in 1948; the National Council of Churches in 1950. The “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” agreement was signed in 1994. David ben Gurion authored the “Shrine for the Prophets,” which would serve the federated union of all continents from a “Supreme Court for Mankind” headquartered in Jerusalem. The Dead Sea Scrolls which claimed to be ancient inspired texts began to spring forth in the mid 1900s. The recent Holy Grail and Da Vinci Code agenda revealed a new understanding of the origins of Christianity and caused the world to wonder how many other “ancient manuscripts” of supposed authenticity have been withheld from us. Lately we have been bombarded with books, docudramas and movies about hidden treasures to come forth which will reveal a secret destiny for America and a secret priesthood who will endow us with great knowledge and power. Meantime, the woman who rides the beast has named herself “Joel’s Army” and can barely await the day she is called forth in power to judge the nations. The cry for peace, love, tolerance and BE ONE has never been LOUDER in our ears (and it WILL get louder). Got earplugs? They won’t help. This voice is going to be louder than the voice that will shake the earth.

I use the word “counterfeit” to describe what I believe is the formation of a “strong delusion” which got its start in the very first years of the Restoration Movement. Perhaps I should instead describe this delusion as a TEMPORAL FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY, much like Ishmael was a temporal fulfillment of the son spiritually promised to Abraham. Evidence abounds that we are receiving the “temporal” first in virtually every aspect of prophecy, for we, like the Jews of old, have defined everything in temporalities. The nation-state of Israel is temporal, as is the fruitful field of Lebanon. Arabs and Jews are temporal definitions for Ishmael and Isaac. Babylon is temporally defined as Iraq. The Northern Armies are temporally defined as Russia and China. Judah and Ephraim are temporally defined via their bloodlines. The stone rolling which is filling the whole earth is a temporal stone cut with hands, not without hands. The coming endowments are preparing to teach us how to perform miracles and healings after the manner of temporal man and his psychology. Last but not least, a temporal kingdom “of God?” on earth is seeking to implement a temporal law of consecration. It even appears that a temporal Melchizedek Priesthood has set itself up to be the saviors of the world, ahead of the true Melchizedek Priesthood that will magnify its calling. Since 1834, these temporal definitions have been prevailing over the spiritual. In other words, the kingdoms of this world have been prevailing over the Church (see Section 100). The kingdom of Ishmael was birthed before the kingdom of Isaac, and Enoch’s city will be erected prior to Enoch’s Zion (see Genesis 5:27). It is indisputably a “strong delusion” as Paul described.

What else will we see TEMPORALLY FULFILLED before the true spiritual fulfillment? Will we embrace the temporal deliverer who makes fire come down from heaven?

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men” (Revelation 13:13).

Or will we wait for the true Deliverer to fulfill this prophecy:

“And as it was in the days of Noe; so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:26-29)

Will the messenger we seek come suddenly to a temporal temple, or to a spiritual one (Malachi 3; Isaiah 66:6)? Will Jesus Christ reveal himself from the clouds of heaven or as a temporal man walking the earth (Section 45:2a; Section 49:4a)?

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105).

Can we see how crucial it is that we hold on to the Rod of Iron? Which words are God’s words? Which Word of God can we trust? I believe that we can trust the Bible and the Book of Mormon since we were told that they contain the “fullness” of the gospel. In other words, everything we need to know to keep from being deceived is contained in those two books.

“And again, the elders, priests, and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in which is the fullness of the gospel” (Section 42:5a).

Which words of the Lord will confound all the counterfeits in the days to come? The same two books:

“And that which shall be written by the fruit of thy [Joseph’s] loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, Unto the confounding of false doctrines, and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins.” (2 Nephi 2:20-21)

“Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand” (Ezekiel 37:19).

To be learned is good if we hearken to the councils of God (2 Nephi 6:61). In other words, it is good that we study all that we can – even literature apart from God’s words – that is, so long as we “hearken to the councils of God.” And the “council of God” is to FEAST UPON AND TRUST HIS WORD. Whatever else we read must be measured against these two books.

Jesus said that those who hold fast to the Rod of Iron will be hated by the world, yet sanctified by the very thing that made them hated:

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.” (John 17:14-17)

The Word was from the beginning, and that Word was made flesh for us:

“For in the beginning was the Word, even the Son, who is made flesh, and sent unto us by the will of the Father. And as many as believe on his name shall receive of his fullness. And of his fullness have all we received, even immortality and eternal life, through his grace.” (John 1:16)

Our New Testament forefathers looked upon, and even touched the Word of God:

“Brethren, this is the testimony which we give of that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life” (1 John 1:1).

The Word will be made manifest again to the Gentiles:

“And after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles, and also unto the Jews, And the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling-blocks, and harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father.” (1 Nephi 3:199-201)

I believe that our hope is in the Word of God. Only if we hold tightly to it, and press continually forward with it, can we hope to have discernment in the days to come. Jesus said that we need to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:7). Leaven is an ingredient which corrupts or depraves whatever it is mixed with. Leaven is what Satan uses when he quotes the words of God. As for bread, Jesus said that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Alma said that it is well when we are cast out of our synagogues so that we may learn wisdom, for it is necessary that we should learn wisdom (Alma 16:132). Was he saying that we shouldn’t go to church? Of course not. We need each other. The eye should never say to the hand that it has no need of it. Alma’s words do suggest, however, that we measure everything we hear, both in our churches and from each other, against God’s Word. I have heard people say, “It’s hard to know who to trust.” No, it isn’t hard at all. Trust the Lord. Trust his Word, the Rod of Iron. We need oil in our lamps. We need to take the Holy Spirit as our guide, rather than the words of men.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6)

The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19). Note carefully the definition. The spirit of prophecy is having the testimony of Jesus Christ. John didn’t say that the spirit of prophecy is having a testimony of Jesus Christ. He said it was having the testimony of Jesus Christ. To have the testimony of Jesus Christ means that we are witnesses of Jesus Christ. Having the testimony of Jesus Christ is not simply a matter of relying upon a spiritual experience, or two, or three. Having the testimony of Jesus Christ is proving the scriptures to be true, and knowing that they are true. When we have the spirit of prophecy, we know that God’s Word is true. We trust it because it proves itself to us over and over again. We don’t discard the parts of it we fail to understand. Instead, we exercise faith and wait patiently for spiritual revelations to come.

“And moreover, I say unto you, that as it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers, are true, Even so according to the spirit of prophecy, which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God, I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you concerning that which is to come, is true.” (Alma 3:81-82)

God promised that if we will hold on to the Rod of Iron, and endure with God’s Word to the end, we cannot be overcome by the adversary. But if we trust others’ interpretations of his words, we are not clinging to the Rod of Iron, but rather we are clinging to arms of flesh. Isaiah foretold our day, and said that we would “eat every man the flesh of his own arm.” That’s not a good thing. Others cannot plant seeds for us; they cannot exercise faith for us; they cannot press forward toward that Tree of Life for us.

The Armor of God is the Word of God

God tells us to put on the whole armor so that we can withstand the evil day.

It begins by having our loins girt about with truth (thy Word is truth: John 17:17).

We need the breastplate of righteousness (the Word of his righteousness: Psalms 119:123).

Our feet need to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (his Word preaches peace by Jesus Christ: Acts 10:36).

The shield of faith quenches all of Satan’s fiery darts (faith is exercised by planting God’s Word in our hearts: Alma 16:153).

The helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).

We are going to need every part of this armor to withstand the coming days, and the coming Day of the Lord. We need to pray continually for that which we most desire. Hopefully, that desire is the same thing the Nephites desired in days of old – that the Holy Ghost be given to them (3 Nephi 9:10). Let’s put on the armor, and desire oil in our lamps, and trust that God’s promises are true – that by holding on to the Rod of Iron and pressing ever forward, we will never perish.

~~~~~~

“And they said unto me, What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

And I 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” (1 Nephi 4:38-39).