The Iron Rod

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

It is my understanding that Christ is the word that was with God in the beginning.  Nephi in seeking to understand his father's vision received this revelation.

25 And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, 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. (1 Nephi 11:25)

With that thought in mind go and read the vision of the tree of life that Lehi had and the interpretation Nephi received. (1 Nephi 8, 11-15)Whenever the iron rod is mentioned think of Christ as the rod. How does that affect your perception of the vision?

In all things we should rely on Christ. When we do so he can safely lead us to the fountain of living waters or to the tree of life. He will lead us back to our Heavenly Father.

The Iron Rod

1. To Nephi, seer of olden time,
A vision came from God,
Wherein the holy word sublime
Was shown an iron rod.

(Chorus)
Hold to the rod, the iron rod;
'Tis strong, and bright, and true.
The iron rod is the word of God;
'Twill safely guide us through.

2. While on our journey here below,
Beneath temptation's pow'r,
Through mists of darkness we must go,
In peril ev'ry hour.

3. And when temptation's pow'r is nigh,
Our pathway clouded o'er,
Upon the rod we can rely,
And heaven's aid implore.

4. And, hand o'er hand, the rod along,
Through each succeeding day,
With earnest prayer and hopeful song,
We'll still pursue our way.

5. Afar we see the golden rest
To which the rod will guide,
Where, with the angels bright and blest,
Forever we'll abide.

Seek His Face

A friend of mine posted this on her blog. It was so powerful a thought I had to share.

http://ljnsvoice.blogspot.com/2012/11/if-possible-even-very-elect-shall-be.html

The Perfect Day

An excellent blog, worth reading. Start at the first post, read to the current post then let what is written there distill upon your soul.

(first post linked below.)

http://ldsperfectday.blogspot.com/2012/02/symphonies.html

from the desk of Denver Snuffer: Christ the Father

from the desk of Denver Snuffer: Christ the Father: After Christ redeems the brother of Jared from the fall ( Ether 3:13 ), He explains to the brother of Jared the doctrine of Christ's Fatherh...

My Testimony

In a not so recent "crisis of faith" my understanding of many things changed and my testimony was  all but completely shattered.  It was shaken right down to the core which is all that survived in tact. Yet that is the most important part of my testimony.

In my youth I came to know through the Spirit that The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is a volume of scripture written for us in our day. It is a testament of Christ and we would do well to study it, learn from it, grow from it and implement the things we learn there in our lives. There is a great depth of understanding there that requires more than a cursory reading and can only be gained through the Spirit.

I know that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. I feel the power of God in his words and teachings.

And more recently a reconfirmation of my testimony of Christ. Again through the Spirit it has been reconfirmed to me that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God. He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

It may not seem like much but it is simple and powerful and has been embedded in my soul. I know these things to be true. I  know them through the workings of the Spirit of God.

I say all this in the name of Jesus, The Christ.

Amen.

Live Like His Son

For the Easter Program at church our choir sang He Sent His Son. In the song it asks a question, "What does the Father ask of us?"  The answser, "Live like his Son." As I have reflected on the words of the song this past few days I have pondered what it means to live like His son.

What does it mean to you to, "Live like his Son"?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments. I would love to know.

How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.

How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
He sent his Son to walk with men on earth that we may know.

How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.

What does the Father ask of us?
What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son,
Help others on their way.

What does he ask?
Live like his Son.

You Raise Me Up

This afternoon, I was thinking of this site, and thinking that there should be a post on Christ since this is Easter. My son was using my computer so this is the first chance I have. If these videos I post tonight have already been posted on here, my apologies.

 

It seems that when I find a video I like on YouTube, the tool that helps me post videos on the blog rarely gives me the option of the video I found on YouTube, so I don't know what some of these videos above sound like. I hope they are as good as the ones I found.


He lives. That is the message of Easter morning (even though the word "Easter" is a corruption of "Ishtar" and pagan in origin). Christ suffered for us, so that He would know how to "succor" us, how to help us overcome - not only sin, but the wounds we receive at the hands and mouths of others.

I'd like to be super-eloquent tonight, but unfortunately eloquence seems to elude me this day. In spite of that, I wanted to share.

In Christ Alone

In Christ Alone - lyrics

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

?Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sins curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life?s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand

Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend

OWL CITY - In Christ Alone (I Stand)

OWL CITY - In Christ Alone (I Stand)

In Christ Alone

In Christ Alone, My Hope Is Found

He Is My Light, My Strength, My Song

This Cornerstone, This Solid Ground

Firm Through The Fiercest Drought And Storm

What Heights Of Love, What Depths Of Peace

When Fears Are Stilled, When Strivings Cease

My Comforter, My All-in-all

Here In The Love Of Christ I Stand

There In The Ground His Body Lay

Light Of The World By Darkness Slain

Then Bursting Forth In Glorious Day

Up From The Grave He Rose Again
And As He Stands In Victory

Sin's Curse Has Lost Its Grip On Me
For I Am His And He Is Mine

Bought With The Precious Blood Of Christ

No Guilt In Life, No Fear In Death
This Is The Power Of Christ In Me

From Life's First Cry To Final Breath

Jesus Commands My Destiny

No Power Of Hell, No Scheme Of Man

Can Ever Pluck Me From His Hand
Till He Returns Or Calls Me Home

Here In The Power Of Christ I'll Stand
Till He Returns Or Calls Me Home

Here In The Power Of Christ I'll Stand
Here In The Power Of Christ I'll Stand