"Get A Grip"

In Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life, he describes four groups of people. The first (vs. 21-13), was pressing forward on the path to the tree. Mists of darkness caused this group to lose their way. The second group (vs. 24-25 & 28) pressed forward and caught hold of the rod of iron and made it to the tree and partook of the fruit, but while looking around they became ashamed. This was caused in part by those who were in the great and spacious building and as a result this second group fell away.

The third group (vs. 26-27 & 31-33) are those in the great and spacious building who represent the pride of the world (1 Ne. 11:36) who mock those who are pressing forward toward the tree. This group seems to represent the largest number of people. This shows that those who follow what the foundationless low-class building has to offer need company to feel comfortable, much like a group of teenage boys need peers to play in the fountain at the mall. Whereas, if they were by alone, they would never think of doing something like that.

Group four (vs. 30 & 33) holds to the rod, presses forward, "continually holding fast" to the iron rod, and partaking of the fruit of the tree. And despite the pointing finger of those in the great and spacious building, they "heeded them not." Two things here. The first is that when they made it to the tree, they fell down. Why? Third Nephi 11:12 recounts that when the Savior appears to the Nephites for the first time and states who He is, the people fell to the earth as they remembered that He was the one the prophets has testified would come. Also, in 3 Nephi 17:10, the people fell at Jesus' feet in worship after he healed those who were afflicted. the second thought is that each of us is surrounded by the pride of the world or the "worldliness" of the world and it will be imperative for our personal salvation to hold fast to the rod and not give heed to the seductive, natural man and woman temptations that are offered to each of us constantly.

The question to ask ourselves is, what group do I fit in?

I exhort you "with all the feeling of a tender parent" (v. 37) that I may "rejoice in the Lord" (v. 3) because of your efforts to be like those in group four. So, get a grip and don't let go!!!