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 commenced 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 mists of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partook 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 around 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 up and were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit, they were ashamed because of those that were a 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 pressing their way towards that great and spacious building. And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain, and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads. And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building, they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also. But we heeded them not — thus are the words of my father — for as many as heeded them had fallen away. And Laman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father.
As we look at the parts of Lehi's vision and compare them with Nephi's explanation of the Doctrine of Christ, which includes commentary from both the Father and the Son, do things line up?
Lehi describes many individuals who "commenced" in the path.
What does Nephi have to say about entering into the path or "commencing" in the path?
And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water to fulfill all righteousness, Oh, then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water? And now I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfill all righteousness in being baptized by water? Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he sheweth unto the children of men that according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments. Wherefore, after he was baptized with water, the holy ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove. And again, it sheweth unto the children of men the straitness of the path and the narrowness of the gate by which they should enter, he having set the example before them. (2 Nephi 31:7 - 9, NC 2 Nephi 13 par. 2)
The first thing Nephi shares is that the Savior followed the path and did so even though He was holy in order to set the example.
And he said unto the children of men, Follow thou me. (2 Nephi 31:10, NC 2 Nephi 13: par. 2)
All are invited to follow the Savior along this strait path.
Nephi continues
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? And the Father said, Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. And also the voice of the Son came unto me, saying, He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the holy ghost like unto me. Wherefore, follow me and do the things which ye have seen me do. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ by baptism — yea, by following your Lord and Savior down into the water according to his word — behold, then shall ye receive the holy ghost. Yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the holy ghost, and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. But behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying, After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the holy ghost, and can speak with a new tongue — yea, even with the tongue of angels — and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. And I heard a voice from the Father saying, Yea, the words of my beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shewn unto me: that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the holy ghost. And then are ye in this straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life. (2 Nephi 31:10 - 18, NC 2 Nephi 13 par. 3)
For those in Lehi's vision who commenced in the path that led to the tree is this what got them onto the path?
Is it possible that the vision given to Lehi is describing through symbolism what Nephi is talking about here; repentance, following the Lord into the waters of baptism without hypocrisy and receiving afterwards the gift of the holy ghost from the Father?
When Lehi states in the vision, 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. (1 Nephi 8:19 - 35, NC 1 Nephi 2 pars. 10 - 12), is he speaking of those who, after they have received the gift of the holy ghost and can speak with the tongue of angels, have then denied the Savior?
What could happen to an individual to make them turn from the Lord after having had that marvelous experience?
Do we have any examples of this?
Is their state really worse than if they had never known the Lord?
When the sons of Mosiah were instrumental in the conversion of the thousands of the Lamanites the other unconverted Lamanites and the Nephite dissenters came among them and began to slay them.
This is what is recorded concerning that event and those who slew the converted Lamanites.
Now the greatest number of those of the Lamanites who slew so many of their brethren were Amlicites and Amulonites, the greatest number of whom were after the order of the Nehors. Now among those who joined the people of the Lord, there were none who were Amlicites, or Amulonites, or who were after the order of Nehor, but they were actual descendants of Laman and Lemuel. And thus we can plainly discern that after a people have been once enlightened by the spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened; and thus their state becomes worse than if they had never known these things. (Alma 24:26 - 30, NC Alma 14 par. 12)
In the New Testament we further read from Peter to the saints concerning this condition of having had righteousness and turning from it.
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning, for it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb: The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.(2 Peter, NC 2 Peter 1 par. 10)
Is it possible that this is what Lehi is seeing as he views mists of darkness overcoming those who have commenced upon the path through repentance, baptism and the reception of the holy ghost that God promises to give to one who enters the path?
If someone turns from righteousness after having received it can it be said of them that they wandered off and were lost because their final state is worse?
Is this at all related to the Savior's statement, No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.(Luke 9:57 - 62, NC Luke 8 par. 2)?
What could the mists of darkness represent?
I used to think they basically represented sex, drugs and rock and roll.
Now I believe that there is much more to them than that.
After the marvelous experience had by King Benjamin's people he declared something that I believe more aptly describes what the mists of darkness represent.
And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember and perish not.(Mosiah 4:26 - 30, NC Mosiah 2 par. 6)
Is it possible that those overcome by the mists of darkness after having entered into the path are overcome because they have not watched themselves, and their thoughts, and their words and their deeds, and they have not observed to keep the commandments of God (this is a huge topic; the commandments of God) and have not continued in the faith of what they had learned concerning Jesus Christ?
Alma the younger asked some questions to those who were part of the church in Zarahemla who had originally been cleansed and commenced on the path.
And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? Have ye walked keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say — if ye were called to die at this time — within yourselves that ye have been sufficiently humble, that your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not, ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold, ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of Heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared. And I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand; and he knoweth not when the time shall come, for such an one is not found guiltless.(Alma 5:26 - 29, NC Alma 3 par. 5)
Could these questions Alma asked be related to not watching oneself and ones' words and ones' deeds and failing to continue in the faith of Christ?
Is it possible that this is what Lehi is seeing represented here?
After the symbolism of the first group being overcome by the mists of darkness Lehi sees another group coming forward.
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 mists of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partook of the fruit of the tree.
What is the represented by the iron rod?
Nephi declared to Laman and Lemuel,
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 that 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 15:21 - 30, NC 1 Nephi 4 par. 5)
What is entailed in the word of God?
Does what Nephi describes line up with the word of God that the iron rod represents?
Nephi asks a question to those who have commenced in the path so to speak?
And now my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this straight and narrow path, I would ask if all is done. Behold, I say unto you, nay, for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ, with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must 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 31:19 - 20, NC 2 Nephi 13 par. 4)
Is it possible that the symbolism of the first group being overcome by the mists of darkness is meant to show what will inevitably happen if we consider that all is done once we commence on the path?
Is the next group catching hold of the iron rod and pressing forward through the mists meant to represent people pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men?
Are these people who are feasting upon the word of Christ?
What does it mean to have a steadfastness in Christ?
Samuel, speaking of the converted Lamanites while preaching on the wall, declared,
But behold, my brethren, the Lamanites hath he hated because their deeds have been evil continually, and this because of the iniquity of the tradition of their fathers. But behold, salvation hath come unto them through the preaching of the Nephites, and for this intent hath the Lord prolonged their days. And I would that ye should behold that the more part of them are in the path of their duty, and they do walk circumspectly before God, and they do observe to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, according to the law of Moses. Yea, I say unto you that the more part of them are doing this, and they are striving, with unwearied diligence, that they may bring the remainder of their brethren to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, there are many who do add to their numbers daily. And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures — yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them — therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves, are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free. And ye know also that they have buried their weapons of war, and they fear to take them up lest by any means they shall sin. Yea, ye can see that they fear to sin, for behold, they will suffer themselves that they be trodden down and slain by their enemies, and will not lift their swords against them, and this because of their faith in Christ. (Helaman 15:10 - 17, NC Helaman 5 par 16)
Did the converted Lamanites exhibit a steadfastness in Christ?
What does it mean to have a perfect brightness of hope?
We talked about "hope" in the post "I Fear Exceedingly for Laman and Lemuel".
Is that the perfect brightness of hope Nephi is talking about?
Did the Lamanites described above exhibit a brightness of hope by striving with unwearied diligence to bring the rest of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth?
Is there a promise from God given to an individual as an individual presses forward on the path?
Isn't it God's promises that give hope because His promises are sure even though they are future?
If one possesses a perfect brightness of hope are they pressing forward relying on and fixing their course based upon the promises of God?
What does it mean to feast upon the words of Christ?
Where are the words of Christ found?
Are the words of Christ the same thing as the word of God?
In the T&C glossary of terms we read this concerning the iron rod.
Iron Rod
The word of God (1 Nephi 3:10; 1 Nephi 4:5), as seen in vision by both Lehi and Nephi; the path back to the tree of life is found in the revelations from God, as contained, in large measure, in the scriptures. Scriptures are of vital importance to mankind. Nephi has an angel instructing him, as well as Christ being shown to him, and the message includes this specific teaching about the importance of revelations and the scriptures.
Continuing on in his teachings of the Doctrine of Christ Nephi declares this concerning feasting on the words of Christ.
And now behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the holy ghost, ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the holy ghost? Angels speak by the power of the holy ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:1 - 6, NC 2 Nephi 14 par. 1)
Are the words delivered by angels also included in the words of Christ?
Did Nephi give heed to the scriptures and revelations from God and did he receive the words of God delivered by angels as well as he walked the path?
Mormon declared that angels appear to those who have a firm mind in every form of godliness.(Moroni 7:29 - 34, NC Moroni 7 par. 6)
Would someone pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ and a perfect brightness of hope have a firm mind in every form of godliness?
Is it possible that the iron rod Lehi is seeing is a representation of what Nephi is describing about what one must do to press forward upon the path without being overcome by the mists of darkness?
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