< 1 Nephi 8 >
v. 10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy
What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could .... invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history - money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery - the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.
CS Lewis
Mere Christianity 53-54
What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could .... invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history - money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery - the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.
CS Lewis
Mere Christianity 53-54
v. 19 And I beheld a rod of iron
In the context of the dream, what purpose does the iron rod serve?
1 Nephi 8:19 - leads to the tree
1 Nephi 8:19 - runs along the bank of the river - protects us from the river - the consequences of sin.
1 Nephi 8:20 - keeps us on the path
1 Nephi 8:23 - gets us through the mists of darkness (tempation)
When have you seen the word of God do one of these things for you?
Four Groups of people:
1) 1 Nephi 8:31-33 – They never make it to the path, they begin in the great and spacious building, they never try the path (never let the seed get inside their hearts – from parable of the sower).
2) 1 Nephi 8:21-23 - Commence in the path – but at the first sign of opposition, they leave the path (stony soil in the parable of the Sower) – mists of darkness came up and they wandered off and were lost -no mention of the rod of iron here. “Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior”. (Bednar, Oct. 2011 – Lehi’s dream)
3) 1 Nephi 8:24-28 - Caught hold and clinging – this group partakes of the fruit, but then people mock them and they fall away.
4) V. 30 – continually holding fast to the rod of iron until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit.
What was it that caused some people to leave the tree after they had already tasted of the fruit?
1 Nephi 8:26-28
What must we do when we are mocked for “partaking of the fruit”? 1 Nephi 8:33
Heed them not, pay no attention to the ridicule of the great and spacious building (1 Nephi 15:27 - Lehi's mind was focused on other things, he didn't notice the filthiness), never let go of the rod or the fruit.
What do you feel “continually holding fast to the rod of iron” looks like in real life?
Feasts on God's words daily, search the scriptures continually, people like you who are here today, the person who studies and knows it but acts on it, they seek to pattern their lives on what they learn in the scriptures, pays close attention to the living prophets, seeks the guidance of the Spirit and acts on it. The word is an integral part of their life.
What’s your relationship to the rod right now?
Which group of people from the dream do you most identify with right now?
Holding to the iron rod is not always easy. We may let go because of peer pressure or pride, thinking we can find our own way back – later. When we do so, we are leaving our safety equipment behind. In Lehi’s vision he saw many who let go of the iron rod. Nephi says, “And many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads” (1 Nephi 8:32). In difficult times in our own lives, we may find we are also “wandering in strange roads.”
Let me reassure you that it is always possible for us to find our way back. Through repentance, made possible by the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can regain and recommit to a strong grip on the iron rod and feel the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father once again. The savior has extended an open invitation to us: repent, hold on, and don’t let go.”
Ann M. Dibb – Conference report, October 2009
In the context of the dream, what purpose does the iron rod serve?
1 Nephi 8:19 - leads to the tree
1 Nephi 8:19 - runs along the bank of the river - protects us from the river - the consequences of sin.
1 Nephi 8:20 - keeps us on the path
1 Nephi 8:23 - gets us through the mists of darkness (tempation)
When have you seen the word of God do one of these things for you?
Four Groups of people:
1) 1 Nephi 8:31-33 – They never make it to the path, they begin in the great and spacious building, they never try the path (never let the seed get inside their hearts – from parable of the sower).
2) 1 Nephi 8:21-23 - Commence in the path – but at the first sign of opposition, they leave the path (stony soil in the parable of the Sower) – mists of darkness came up and they wandered off and were lost -no mention of the rod of iron here. “Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior”. (Bednar, Oct. 2011 – Lehi’s dream)
3) 1 Nephi 8:24-28 - Caught hold and clinging – this group partakes of the fruit, but then people mock them and they fall away.
4) V. 30 – continually holding fast to the rod of iron until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit.
What was it that caused some people to leave the tree after they had already tasted of the fruit?
1 Nephi 8:26-28
What must we do when we are mocked for “partaking of the fruit”? 1 Nephi 8:33
Heed them not, pay no attention to the ridicule of the great and spacious building (1 Nephi 15:27 - Lehi's mind was focused on other things, he didn't notice the filthiness), never let go of the rod or the fruit.
What do you feel “continually holding fast to the rod of iron” looks like in real life?
Feasts on God's words daily, search the scriptures continually, people like you who are here today, the person who studies and knows it but acts on it, they seek to pattern their lives on what they learn in the scriptures, pays close attention to the living prophets, seeks the guidance of the Spirit and acts on it. The word is an integral part of their life.
What’s your relationship to the rod right now?
Which group of people from the dream do you most identify with right now?
Holding to the iron rod is not always easy. We may let go because of peer pressure or pride, thinking we can find our own way back – later. When we do so, we are leaving our safety equipment behind. In Lehi’s vision he saw many who let go of the iron rod. Nephi says, “And many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads” (1 Nephi 8:32). In difficult times in our own lives, we may find we are also “wandering in strange roads.”
Let me reassure you that it is always possible for us to find our way back. Through repentance, made possible by the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can regain and recommit to a strong grip on the iron rod and feel the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father once again. The savior has extended an open invitation to us: repent, hold on, and don’t let go.”
Ann M. Dibb – Conference report, October 2009
v. 23: And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness
It is imperative to note that this mist of darkness descends on all the travelers – the faithful and the determined ones (The elect, we might even say) as well as the weaker and ungrounded ones.
-Holland, Conference Report, Oct. 2009, “Safety for the Soul”
It is imperative to note that this mist of darkness descends on all the travelers – the faithful and the determined ones (The elect, we might even say) as well as the weaker and ungrounded ones.
-Holland, Conference Report, Oct. 2009, “Safety for the Soul”
v. 25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment.
(See D&C 3:6–7; D&C 30:1–2; D&C 60:2.)
“What will men think of me?” weighs heavier than “What will God think of me?”
The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment.
(See D&C 3:6–7; D&C 30:1–2; D&C 60:2.)
“What will men think of me?” weighs heavier than “What will God think of me?”
v. 28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed
John 6:66-68
66: From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67: Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68: Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
John 6:66-68
66: From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67: Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68: Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
v. 30 ... 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.
Let us choose to be humble.
We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. (See D&C 38:24; D&C 81:5; D&C 84:106.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. (See Jacob 4:10; Hel. 15:3; D&C 63:55; D&C 101:4–5; D&C 108:1; D&C 124:61, 84; D&C 136:31; Prov. 9:8.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. (See 3 Ne. 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. (See Mosiah 2:16–17.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. (See Alma 4:19; Alma 31:5; Alma 48:20.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.
We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. (See D&C 58:43; Mosiah 27:25–26; Alma 5:7–14, 49.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. (See 3 Ne. 11:11; 3 Ne. 13:33; Moro. 10:32.)
Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can.
- President Benson: 'Let us choose to be humble" 29 JUNE 1996
Let us choose to be humble.
We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. (See D&C 38:24; D&C 81:5; D&C 84:106.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. (See Jacob 4:10; Hel. 15:3; D&C 63:55; D&C 101:4–5; D&C 108:1; D&C 124:61, 84; D&C 136:31; Prov. 9:8.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. (See 3 Ne. 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. (See Mosiah 2:16–17.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. (See Alma 4:19; Alma 31:5; Alma 48:20.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.
We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. (See D&C 58:43; Mosiah 27:25–26; Alma 5:7–14, 49.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. (See 3 Ne. 11:11; 3 Ne. 13:33; Moro. 10:32.)
Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can.
- President Benson: 'Let us choose to be humble" 29 JUNE 1996