The Pleasing Word of God

This week, I wanted to focus my post on Nephi and Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life. THis is one of the key moments in Nephi's life and record, and just imagine what the Book of Mormon would be like had these two prophets not received this vision.

Now, just to set a few details straight before we get into this. There is a fair amount of evidence to show the tree of life could symbolize many different things. For this post, I will be using the interpretation that the Tree of Life (which Nephi saw symbolizing the love of God) strictly to symbolize the greatest act of love ever performed — the willingness of a Father to separate Himself from His Son for a short while so we could return to His presence and become like Him (see John 3:16). The Tree of Life can symbolize Jesus Christ, a living witness of our Father's love. 

The iron rod, the word of God, must be the scriptures, then, leading us to our Savior. 

Right?

Truth be told I used to think this was the only possible interpretation. And don't get me wrong, I believe that is what the iron rod could represent. The beautiful thing about the scriptures is that things can have many different interpretations based on what the Spirit needs to teach you at that particular time you read it. It wasn't until last semester, however, that I became aware of a deeply more personal interpretation that changes the way I see Lehi's vision. 

In my Book of Mormon class taught by Brad Wilcox, he shared with us an insight one of his friends shared with him a long time ago. The iron rod leads right up to the Tree of Life. It could be seen as a part of the Tree; an extension leading us to Christ to partake of His Atonement (the fruit). 

About Christ, in John 1:1, we read:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (KJV).

The Word is a title of Jesus Christ. He is The Word of God. 

So what if the word of God could be referring instead to the arm of our Savior, reaching out steadfastly to take our hand and lead us to Him? His arm is always reaching, always offering to us His grace and love, even when we let go of Him. He never gives up on us. He reaches out still, calling for us to come and accept His Atonement. And He will never stop reaching.