The Iron Rod is the WORD of GOD

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)

23 And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?
24 And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.
25 Wherefore, I, Nephi, did exhort them to give heed unto the word of the Lord; yea, I did exhort them with all the energies of my soul, and with all the faculty which I possessed, that they would give heed to the word of God and remember to keep his commandments always in all things. (1 Nephi 15: 23-25)

The rod of iron is the word of God.

Scriptures include the standard works plus the holy words of our Prophets beginning with our dispensation head Joseph Smith right up to our current Prophet President Nelson. I submit that to believe in the words of Jesus Christ, we must believe that the scriptures are literal, that the words and promises of our Saviour are written for us and will be fulfilled in our lives. 

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." D&C 1:38

The following are my favourite quotes of Prophet's exhortations of 'heeding the word of God'.

"We have the right to the guidance of the Holy Ghost, but we cannot have that guidance, if we willfully refuse to consider the revelations that have been given to help us to understand and to guide us in the light and truth of the everlasting gospel. We cannot hope to have that guidance when we refuse to consider these great revelations which mean so much to us both temporally and spiritually. Now if we find ourselves in this condition of unbelief or unwillingness to seek for the light and the knowledge which the Lord has placed within our reach, then we are liable or in danger of being deceived by evil spirits, the doctrines of devils, and the teachings of men. And when these false influences are presented before us, we will not have the distinguishing understanding by which we can segregate them and know that they are not of the Lord. And so we may become prey unto the ungodly, to the vicious, to the cunning, to the craftiness of men.” -President Joseph Fielding Smith (Doctrines of Salvation, p.43)

"If we choose to set his counsel aside and determine that we know better, our faith suffers and our eternal perspective is clouded. I promise you that as you remain resolute in following the prophet, your faith in the Savior will increase.” Elder Neil L. Andersen (“The Prophet of God” General Conference April 2018)

"We have a choice. We may choose to ignore, trifle with, trample upon, or rebel against the words of Christ spoken by His ordained servants. But the Savior taught that those who do so will be cut off from His covenant people." (3 Nephi 20:23) Sister Carol F. McConkie (“Live according to the Words of the Prophets” General Conference October 2014)

"You may not like what comes from the authority of the Church. It may conflict with your political views. It may contradict your social views. It may interfere with some of your social life. But if you listen to these things, as if from the mouth of the Lord Himself, with patience and faith, the promise is that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory” (D&C 21:6)… Your safety and ours depends upon whether or not we follow … Let’s keep our eye on the President of the Church.” President Harold B. Lee (Conference Report, October 1970, p. 152–153.)

 “Scripture study is commanded. The Lord is not trifling with us when he gives us these things, for "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." (Luke 12:48.) Access to these things means responsibility for them. We must study the scriptures according to the Lord's commandment (see 3 Nephi 23:1-5). Spencer W. Kimball, (“The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball”, The Gospel: Spiritual Development)

"The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned, is the one who is living in our day and age. This is the prophet who has today’s instructions from God to us. God’s revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Every generation has need of the ancient scripture, plus the current scripture from the living prophet. Therefore, the most crucial reading and pondering that you should do is of the latest inspired words from the Lord’s mouthpiece. That is why it is essential that you have access to and carefully read his words." Ezra Taft Benson ("Following the Living Prophet" Chapter 11 Teachings of Presidents of the Church p. 147)

"Our Father in Heaven has given us tools to help us come unto Christ and [hear Him]… [One such] tool is to study the word of God in the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. We talk to God through prayer. He most often communicates back to us through His written word. To know what the voice of the Divine sounds and feels like, read His words, study the scriptures, and ponder them. Make them an integral part of everyday life. If you want your children to recognize, understand, and act on the promptings of the Spirit, you must study the scriptures with them. Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it! Elder Richard G. Scott (October 2014, "Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority")

"Search the scriptures—search the revelations which we publish, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit. You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God; nor will there be any room for speculation. No; for when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them” Joseph Smith Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 11–12

"Before we can write the gospel in our own book of life we must learn the gospel as it is written in the books of scripture. The Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants [and the Pearl of Great Price]—each of them individually and all of them collectively—contain the fulness of the everlasting gospel.” Bruce R. McConkie (“Holy Writ: Published new,” regional representatives seminar, April 2, 1982)
“Scripture study is commanded. The Lord is not trifling with us when he gives us these things, for "unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." (Luke 12:48.) “Access to these things means responsibility for them. We must study the scriptures according to the Lord's commandment (see 3 Nephi 23:1-5).... “ Spencer W Kimball “The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball”, The Gospel: Spiritual Development)

"As you use your agency to carve out time every day to draw close to God’s voice, especially in the Book of Mormon, over time His voice will become clearer and more familiar to you. Michelle Craig ("Spiritual Capacity" Oct 2019)

Be Worthy of the Guidance of the Holy Spirit

“There are a great many people—I am told—a number of people scattered throughout the world who are devout, sincere, who are doing the best they know, and they think they are following the commandments of our Lord and Redeemer, but they are following the teachings, the philosophy that has come down for hundreds of year's the doctrine of men. And they do not have the gift of the Holy Ghost and therefore they lack discernment. “I am fearful that a great many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are in that same category. They do not know. They have been taught from their infancy that this is the kingdom of God, but they have not lived in accord with its principles sufficiently to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They have been baptized for the remission of sins and had hands laid upon their heads for the receiving of the Holy Ghost, but unfortunately they have never received a manifestation except that following their baptism and confirmation, the reason being because they do not study. They do not think. These are things of the kingdom of God and their minds are set too much on the things of this world.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Seek Ye Earnestly)

“In the days ahead there will be times when nothing but the wisdom of God, descending from heaven and flowing forth from prophetic lips, will be able to save his people.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith (Deseret Book Company, 1985), 478;)

“The very first word in the Doctrine and Covenants is hearken. It means “to listen with the intent to obey.” To hearken means to “hear Him”—to hear what the Savior says and then to heed His counsel. In those two words—“Hear Him”—God gives us the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life. We are to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and heed what He has told us! “As we seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ, our efforts to hear Him need to be ever more intentional. It takes conscious and consistent effort to fill our daily lives with His words, His teachings, His truths. “We simply cannot rely upon information we bump into on social media. With billions of words online and in a marketing-saturated world constantly infiltrated by noisy, nefarious efforts of the adversary, where can we go to hear Him? “We can go to the scriptures. They teach us about Jesus Christ and His gospel, the magnitude of His Atonement, and our Father’s great plan of happiness and redemption. Daily immersion in the word of God is crucial for spiritual survival, especially in these days of increasing upheaval. As we feast on the words of Christ daily, the words of Christ will tell us how to respond to difficulties we never thought we would face.” (President Russel M Nelson, Hear Him)

“My third suggestion: Learn about God and how He works. … “With frightening speed, a testimony that is not nourished daily “by the good word of God” can crumble. Thus, the antidote to Satan’s scheme is clear: we need daily experiences worshipping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum.” (President Russel M Nelson, the Power of Spiritual Momentum)

Search the Scriptures
The Lord commands His Saints to search the scriptures rather than merely read them. When people search the scriptures they carefully examine them in an effort to discover something, or they explore thoroughly by serious inquiry and inspection. Searching the scriptures also indicates that we meditate (see Joshua 1:8), study (see 2 Timothy 3:15; D&C 26:1), heed (see 1 Nephi 15:25), and ponder (see 2 Nephi 4:15). In addition to the scriptures, the Savior commanded us to search the words of the prophets (see 3 Nephi 23:5). … Although searching the scriptures may be difficult at first, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) promised that those who seriously study the scriptures will be enlightened and their spirits lifted (“The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99). (LDS Manual 3 Nephi 23:1–5)

Matthew 4:4–11: Scripture Study and Obedience Help Us Overcome Temptation
The Savior’s response to each of Satan’s temptations included the phrase, “It is written” (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; see also Luke 4:1–13). Christ’s knowledge of the scriptures was part of what had prepared and strengthened Him to turn aside from temptation. The Savior later taught, “Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived” (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37). While serving as a member of the Seventy, Elder Merrill J. Bateman noted the strength that scripture study provides against temptation: “There are certain blessings obtained when one searches the scriptures. As a person studies the words of the Lord and obeys them, he or she draws closer to the Savior and obtains a greater desire to live a righteous life. The power to resist temptation increases, and spiritual weaknesses are overcome” (“Coming unto Christ by Searching the Scriptures,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 28).

What are some ways we can treasure up the Lords words?

• Pray for guidance and direction before we start

• Learn scriptures by heart

• Use our Institute student manuals

• Use and follow footnotes in the scriptures and for conference talks

• Use Joseph Smith translation 

• Use Study helps ; guide to the Scriptures,  topical guide, bible dictionary etc

• Use a scripture journal and write down your impressions, quotes, scriptures etc

• Have a study plan, theme or purpose eg Elder Bednar shares his scripture study idea where he uses a blue cover Book of Mormon, prays and decides on a theme and then reads the BoM highlighting all the scriptures connected to that theme

• Look up what Joseph Smith said on any particular topic/doctrine

• Pray and ask HF if there is more He requires us to understand on any given principal and help to direct our efforts

• Use Word association and link like scriptures

•  When we are reading our Scriptures and we feel a pull to a particular verse, that is the spirit telling us to stop and dig deeper. We can liken this to using a metal detector, we cruise along searching then the alarm goes off and we dig for precious gems.

I would like to close by bearing my testimony with the testimony of our beloved Prophets on the power of the Book of Mormon. I know when I feast on this book above all other scripture that the power is palpable and life changing. 

"The Book of Mormon is our latter-day survival guide." President Russel M Nelson, ("Embrace the Future with Faith," Oct 2020)

"Our day is a replay of Book of Mormon history" Elder Christofferson, ("The Love of God," Oct 2021)

“No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon.” Joseph Fielding Smith, (Improvement Era, December 1961, pp. 925-26)

“When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls." 
“My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.” Russell M. Nelson, ("The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?" October 2017)

“Your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received— Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.” Ezra Taft Benson, (“A Testimony of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, November 1999)

“Much of the Christian world today rejects the divinity of the Savior. They question His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious resurrection. The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and unmistakable terms about the truth of all of those. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ.” Ezra Taft Benson ("A Witness and a Warning")

“Most books contained in libraries of the world were authored for contemporary readers. And they were generally written for profit, with royalties accruing from successful sales.

“Not so with the Book of Mormon. It was written anciently for our day. It reveals the endless Lordship of Jesus Christ in accounts of two ancient American dispensations, preserved for the benefit of us who live in this dispensation of the fulness of times. Certainly no royalties came to its authors. In fact, they paid dearly for their privilege of participation. What motivated them? Their devotion to God! The book’s four major writers—Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, and Moroni —were all eyewitnesses of the Lord, as was its martyred translator, the Prophet Joseph Smith.” Russell M. Nelson ("A Testimony of the Book of Mormon," October 1999)

“The Book of Mormon is not just a book that helps us feel good; it is a heavenly document that helps us be good. It is not only an invitation to come unto Christ; it is a pattern for accomplishing that consummate privilege. It is not just a book about religion. It is religion.” Robert Millet, (“So Glorious a Record,” Ensign, December 1992)

My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives.” Thomas S. Monson, ("The Power of the Book of Mormon," April 2017)

“Brothers and sisters, without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.” Gordon B. Hinckley, ("The Power of the Book of Mormon," Ensign, June 1988)

“A quick reading of the Book of Mormon, a few prayers, a shallow attempt at repentance, a casual regard for the covenants we’ve made – of course that is not enough. The scriptures use over and over again the word “steadiness” to describe faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. When faith and repentance and diligent efforts to live the commandments have gone on long enough that virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly, then the doctrine of the priesthood, the truthful answers to the questions that really matter, will distill upon us as the dews from heaven. That’s been my experience with seeking the confirmation of truth by the Spirit of God. I have at times sought it by singular effort, in times of great need, and it has come. Investigators have that experience when they reach the point where they must know if the Book of Mormon is true. But far more often for me, I notice its presence in quiet confirmations at times when all I seem to have done is to plod on in diligence, doing the simple things–searching the scriptures with a prayer in my heart and with more concern for others and therefore less time for pursuits that let Satan, the father of lies, entice me. It’s in periods of that steadiness that I notice, almost in the way you are surprised at your wet shoes from the dew formed on the grass overnight, and look up and realize the Holy Ghost has been enlightening my mind and enlarging my heart.” Elder Henry B. Eyring, (Going Home, BYU Devotional Address, November 1986)

I know that as we spend more time feasting upon the words of Christ; sincerely studying the Book of Mormon and the words of our Prophets, that we will have direct access to the Holy Ghost. As we ask the Lord to teach us what we need to do to receive Him, I know the Holy Ghost will show us the way to receive the greatest of all gifts of God. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen