The Dream - 1 Nephi 8

I read chapter 8 and thought, "I've read this so many times, what can I possibly comment on?" But I know that this chapter and the following chapters with Nephi's dream are so important and teach us so many things. As I offered a simple prayer to ask what I could learn this time I found myself asking how well I was doing holding on to the rod of iron.  If that is the word of God and I am to cleave unto it, how am I doing in terms of cleaving to the word of God?  Honestly, I picture myself touching it each day, holding on tighter, when I feel like it, and maybe casually leaning against it at other times.  The problem with casually leaning against the Rod of Iron is that you never know when the mist of darkness will come, you will step away from the Rod (with the intention of grabbing it), and find you can't see it to hold onto it.  I am reading the Book of Mormon, and really trying to ponder it.  I am listening to conference and trying to ponder it as well.  I must redouble my efforts because I want the words to fill my mind and my heart all day every day, this will be for me, cleaving to the Rod of Iron.

Then there is the fruit of the Tree. Have I partaken of this fruit or am I still on the path? I conclude that I am both, and here is my reasoning.  I must have hold of the Iron Rod all the time, but I believe that partaking of the fruit means being a member of the Church of God in good standing, and one who enjoys the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This is me also.  I think at times I have thought that standing at the tree and partaking of it meant that one had their calling and election made sure, but that wouldn't be true as we hear examples of those that left the tree. The dream seems incomplete when we think of Lehi standing at the tree and not still holding to the Rod of Iron.  Maybe after I die holding onto the Rod of Iron will mean something different.

I am grateful for the dream they had, I wouldn't mind seeing that dream myself to be able to look a little closer at the details, to feel the emotion of it first hand, and to be able to ask my own questions.