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. 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 commence in the path which led to the tree. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly 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 [Jesus]; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the Rod of Iron [Jesus], even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.

1 Nephi 8:19-24

And it came to pass that I beheld that the Rod of Iron [Jesus], which my father had seen, was the Word of God [Jesus], which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God [also Jesus].

1 Nephi 11:25

Anciently, shepherds had both a staff and a rod of iron. The rod of iron was a short club used to defend the sheep against predators. It was also used to count them one by one as they entered a safe enclosure. Lehi had a dream where people were walking along a path towards the tree of life or the love of God. During their journey they would pass through darkness. If they held onto the Rod of Iron or the Word of God which is Jesus, then they would make their way through the darkness to the tree of life. The people held onto Jesus even when they were in darkness. Jesus led them out of the darkness to the tree which is the love of God. Jesus is the manifestation of God’s love. If we are in darkness and hold onto Jesus, he will lead us step by step to a brighter and brighter day until we are fully immersed in his love. He counts us one by one, and we are not lost to him. He walks with us in darkness and is there if we reach out to him. It is Jesus and his love that saves us.

When Jesus returns to earth in glory, he will shatter the tyrannical governments, economic systems, and oppressive institutions that enslave. He will turn upside down the systems of power. He will defend his sheep with a rod of iron or the rod of his mouth [remember that the rod of iron symbolizes the word of God].

“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.” Isaiah 11:4

He will shatter the old systems like a rod of iron breaking a clay pot [Psalm 2:9, Revelation 2:27] in order to save his sheep from the wolves. His love will overcome all wickedness. His love will change our hearts. The poor will be elevated and all the nations will recognize him as King as he institutes a new era of peace on earth.

Hold on to Jesus and press forward with him. He walks with each of us one by one in darkness. He will defend us and shatter the systems within us and outside of us that keep us in darkness. He is there for us if we reach out and have faith in his word. He will lead us to brighter days of loving abundance until we are immersed inside and out with pure divine loving light.