The Iron Rod and the Strait and Narrow Path

1 Nephi 8:19

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.

The sequence of events is worth noting. Lehi reached the tree without the rod of iron or the strait and narrow path. He simply followed the man in the white robe, i.e., the Holy Ghost. Sariah, Nephi, and Sam reached the tree by obeying Lehi, i.e., the living prophet. Only when Laman and Lemuel refused to obey did Lehi see another way, namely, the iron rod (the scriptures) and the strait path (the law). Our leaders today emphasize the scriptures and the commandments in the hope that they will lead us to the prophet, who will lead us to the Holy Ghost, who will escort us to the tree of eternal life.

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