Lesson - April 19 - The Power of the Word

We started off imagining that we were in the middle of a large, vast field.  We are making our way towards a desired destination but soon a fog begins to swirl around us.  Darkness moves in and our way becomes less and less clear.  Sisters shared that they would feel scared, lonely, and confused in that situation.  Then we imagined a rod that we could hold on to that led directly to where we wanted to go.  This, of course, is from Lehi's dream in 1st Nephi.  We may still stumble while we held onto the rod, but we would be able to stay upright as long as we held tight.

"The prophet Lehi also saw our day in his great visionary dream of the tree of life. He saw that many people would wander blindly in the mists of darkness, which symbolized the temptations of the devil. (See 1 Ne. 12:17.) He saw some fall away “in forbidden paths,” others drown in rivers of filthiness, and still others wander in “strange roads.” (1 Ne. 8:28, 32.) When we read of the spreading curse of drugs, or read of the pernicious flood of pornography and immorality, do any of us doubt that these are the forbidden paths and rivers of filthiness Lehi described?"

The iron rod is the word of God.  The "word" evoked thoughts of Jesus Christ, God, prayer, the Holy Ghost, the gospel and scriptures.  We discussed how the scriptures are given to us as a tangible, always present gift containing God's words.  Holding onto the scriptures is like holding onto the iron rod.

"In his dream, Lehi saw an iron rod which led through the mists of darkness. He saw that if people would hold fast to that rod, they could avoid the rivers of filthiness, stay away from the forbidden paths, stop from wandering in the strange roads that lead to destruction. Later his son Nephi clearly explained the symbolism of the iron rod. When Laman and Lemuel asked, “What meaneth the rod of iron?” Nephi answered, “It was the word of God."

"My dear brethren, this is an answer to the great challenge of our time. The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life."

By immersing ourselves in the scriptures, we will gain vital knowledge to help us make good choices and to understand the gospel, we will receive blessings for being obedient to God's commandment to search the scriptures and we will have the spirit with us.