1 Nephi 9:6 Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men.
“Please dad, can we stop at the waterfall?”
It had been a long day at the auction in Buffalo, and the kids and I had visited two different state parks while waiting for dad to finish work. There was a 15-hour drive ahead of us, yet the majestic Niagara Falls drew us in. We thought it would be a quick, look at the falls, and then get back on the road kind of adventure, but the kids chanted with enthusiasm “Maid of the Mist…Maid of the Mist.” We piled out of the car, waited in the long line, and then finally made our way to the edge of the boat. It was truly breath-taking, and worth every lost minute that we had sacrificed. The falls were so massive and intriguing. As we wandered back to the car, we stopped for one last look over the edge of the falls. There was a railing to prevent tourists from walking on slippery ground and falling to their death. The kids all had the urge to climb over the shallow metal guard, disregard the multiple posted warning signs that illuminated the path, and just walk a little closer. As they talked about their desires, a park ranger walked by, and told them that the week previous, a young man, confidently and cautiously climbed the barrier, to get an epic Instagram picture with the waterfall. He moved ever so slowly along the rocks to make sure he had good footing, but as he stepped on a slippery stone, he lost his balance, and fell to his death. This was the reality of this park ranger’s life. It didn’t seem to matter how many signs they posted, or how many fatal stories they told, the urge to go beyond the rail was strong, and drew several tourists every year to the dangerous, slippery rocks that neared the waterfall. Every year there were deaths that were avoidable if only the tourists would obey the signs put up by those who knew firsthand the dangers that lurked ahead.
1 Nephi 10:18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
The Lord has prepared a plan for each of us, if we will but choose to heed the warning signs and stay on the path. Lehi’s dream is a map of life, displaying a sure path to reach the destination, a safety rail to assist the dangerous, “dark and dreary wilderness,” and warnings of spiritual life-threatening ventures. This dream came from Heavenly Father, who is all-knowing, and who loves us perfectly. God’s plan is designed with a “strait and narrow path,“ that if we stay on, we will not fall down a cliff to the filthy waters below, or drift to the “large and spacious building.” He has given us the “iron rod,” that will guide us out of the murky waters, and through the “mist of darkness,” so that we can fully enjoy the “tree of life,” and feast upon the most desirable fruit, “whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.” This rod of iron is our warning signs, it is our metal barrier, it is our helping hand, and our warm embrace, it is what will keep us safe in our Father’s care.
In Lehi’s dream he sees some people “clinging” to the iron rod, and others “holding fast.” These both give great visuals of how tightly we may want to hold on to the iron rod. Think of something that you cling to. I have seen my kids clinging to a tree branch as thy yell for my help, or they cling to a basketball that an opponent is trying to yank from their grip. I have held fast to my child’s hand to aid them across the street or to keep them with me while weaving in and out of crowds. Both expressions give the sense of desperation, they come with a fear of letting go. Then I thought of a hug. Oh! How I love to be hugged, or to hug my children each morning on their way to school. A hug is an expression of tender love, it accompanies the emotion of forever. Giving a hug is weightless, effortless, and fearless. It is easy to not let go of someone or something that we love. In fact, the thought would never even cross our minds. This is how tightly we should hold onto the iron rod, or the word or God. We should fall in love with the word or God so that we are hugging it with admiration, gratitude, and courage. The iron rod breaks the fear of the world, it empowers us with the power of God, who can break the bonds of addiction, sorrow, loneliness, and peer pressure. The warm embrace that the scriptures will give us during our darkest moments, and the thickest of fogs, will give us the strength to overcome. We will be able to boldly press forward with vitality, and elation.
This week as we study 1 Nephi 8-10 Let’s hug the iron rod and fall in love with all that the Lord has given us, and is giving us. Let us commit to follow him with exactness, and to feel His loving embrace through the words of encouragement and advise that fills the scriptures. As we fall in love with the scriptures we will be “desirous also that (we) might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost,” for those who diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost.” (1 Nephi 10:17,19)
1 Nephi 10:8 …go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
Please read 1 Nephi 8 to see all the symbolism used in this challenge.https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/1-ne/8?lang=eng
-written by Sherri Jorgensen
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