“A Rod of Iron”
Lehi noticed in his dream that a rod of iron extended along the bank of the river and led eventually to the tree. The iron rod was the “word of God,” the gospel of Jesus Christ (see 1 Nephi 11:25; 1 Nephi 15:23-25). It is that standard to which honest truth seekers in all generations must cling in order to be safe from the winds of adversity or the enticements of Babylon. “And he that overcometh,” the Lord explained to the Revelator concerning those who had won the fight of faith and qualified for exaltation, “and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron” (Revelation 2:26-27). The Prophet Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of the same passage reads: “And to him who overcometh, and keepeth my commandments unto the end, will I give power over many kingdoms; and he shall rule them with the word of God” (JST, Revelation 2:26-27; italics added).
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