Question about the BoM

[tfrey1225]

I recently was given a copy of the Book of Mormon by some missionaries I have been talking to. I am very excited and want to learn as much about the LDS Church (which in my mind every day I come to think of it more and more as the true Church of Jesus Christ) and I was reading through 1 Nephi and I encountered 1 Nephi:8 and I was having some trouble with it.

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.

Originally Posted by 1Ne8:20-33

20 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.
21 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.
22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.
23 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.
24 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; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.
25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed.
26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the aother side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the cair, high above the earth.
27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.
28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.
29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak all the words of my father.
30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.
31 And he also saw other multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.
32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the fountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.
33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of scorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

My questions are: what is the Iron Rod? The Strait and Narrow path too me seems to symbolize the path of Salvation. I assume the people clinging to the iron rod were those who remained faithful to the Commands of God and those who fell of the path were those who were unfaithful. However, where I got really lost was the big building across the river, what does that symbolize? Who were the people mocking and scoring Lehi and his family?
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

[Connie]

Nephi had the exact same questions. If you continue reading over to chapter 11 of 1 Nephi, you will find that he was given the same vision along with the interpretation. Have fun!

[tfrey1225]

Originally Posted by Connie

Nephi had the exact same questions. If you continue reading over to chapter 11 of 1 Nephi, you will find that he was given the same vision along with the interpretation. Have fun!

Thanks for the response, I will press on.

[beefche]

Thanks, Connie. I was thinking the same thing.

BTW, just because it popped into my head, my favorite BoM scripture (ok my fave this week) is Mosiah 4:9

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.

[bytebear]

Here's your answer in musical form:

LDS Church Music Interactive Music Player

[BenRaines]

The Iron Rod is the Word of God. As they sing in Primary.

Ben Raines

[jacob123]

Growing up hearing that verse I always thought that those who were clinging to the rod were doing the right thing but as Elder Bednar described it, the word clinging means that they are about to fall. You want to make sure that you are holding fast and not clinging.