🌳 Lehi’s Dream – Clinging to the Living Word of Christ
🌳 Lehi’s Dream – Clinging to the Living Word of Christ
(Day 2 of “Finding Joy and Peace in a World of Contention” Series)
Yesterday we talked about the Lord’s warning — that His Church is still under condemnation — and the cure He gave us: repent, remember, and live the Book of Mormon.
Today we’re going to look at one of the Book of Mormon’s most important visions, because it tells us exactly how to lift that condemnation and find joy, even in a world full of contention.
📜 The Vision
In 1 Nephi 8, Lehi saw a man in a white robe — glorious in appearance — who led him into darkness.
Stop and think about that.
A “glorious” figure. A robe of white. And yet the destination was darkness.
The warning here is simple: Not every impressive, spiritual-looking guide is from God.
🌳 The Tree of Life
Lehi’s joy didn’t come until he found and partook of the tree of life — which represents the love of God, “most joyous to the soul” (1 Nephi 11:22–23).
And the only way to get there safely was to cling to the iron rod.
Nephi explains in 1 Nephi 11:25 that the rod is “the word of God”.
And here’s the key: That “word” isn’t just scripture ink on a page. It’s the living voice of Jesus Christ to you, personally.
🪶 The Nemenhah Witness
The Nemenhah Records put it beautifully:
“The Rod is the Speaking of My Mouth to the Ear of the Humble. Yea, the Word is alive and it moveth upon the wind to those who would hear.” (Book of Mahnti)
The rod is not an organization.
It’s not a man-made program.
It’s Him — His living guidance in your life.
⚠️ The Mistake We Still Make
Too many Saints today are holding to a different rod — the “rod” of tradition, policies, or even personalities.
When “follow the prophet” replaces “follow the Savior,” the rod has shifted in our hands.
And if the rod moves, you’re no longer headed to the tree.
✨ The Way Forward
If we want to lift the condemnation and find joy, we must take hold of the real rod:
Hear Him daily.
Recognize when it’s His voice.
Obey promptly when He speaks.
The rod is steady because He is steady.
🌺 The Invitation
Today’s step toward joy in a world of contention is this: Ask the Lord to show you if the rod you’re holding is really His voice — or if it’s something else.
Tomorrow, in Day 3, we’ll learn from the story of Moses and Israel why borrowed light will never get us to the tree.
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