A River, A Rod, And An All Loving God

Many are familiar with Lehi's vision of the tree of life, but I learned something recently I hadn't noticed before. In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Lehi has a vision. Through this vision he learns about the love of God. Different objects throughout are used in a symbolic way to teach Lehi and his family, and also to teach each and everyone of us today. For example there is a dark and dreary wasteland, a great and spacious building, a river, a straight and narrow pathway, a tree which bears the most desirable fruit, etc. Many of you are probably reading this and saying "yeah yeah yeah, I've heard that a thousand times,"  but stay with me for a bit!

In verses 19 and 20 of chapter 8 we read,

"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 strait 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."

We later come to find out that the rod of iron is symbolic of the word of God. The rod of iron leads directly to the tree of life. The tree bears fruit which is symbolic of God's love. Are you staying with me?

Here's a little key:

great and spacious building-the world

mists of darkness-temptation

iron rod-word of God

fruit of the tree- love of God

  In verse 19 we learn that there is a river. Through the temptations and misfortune of life we all may find ourselves at one point or another "in the river" so to speak. We fall off the path and lose our way. We may feel helpless, or hopeless, yet in God's almighty love He places the iron rod right by the river. Verse 19 says the iron rod extends along the bank of the river. When we fall, when we feel swallowed up in the depths of life, God will always be there. His doctrines and teachings will always remain. At any time we can grasp onto the rod and pull ourselves back up onto His path. He is forgiving, He is loving, He is omniscient, and there are no flaws in His perfectly devised plan, because of the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. 

Elder Holland said, "however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."

You are never out of reach from Him who loves you fully and perfectly. Wherever you may be on or off the path, look to Him, and trust Him. Find the iron rod and hold on. Remember if you fall, the rod is within reach. He will lead you safely home, and help you to reach the tree and partake of the fruit which is "most desirous."