By Jared Preusz
The iron rod is the word of God and will keep us safe was Elder Neil L. Andersen”s message to young adults at a CES Fireside Sunday (March 4, 2007) evening.
Using Lehi”s dream of the iron rod contained in the Book of Mormon, Elder Andersen, a member of the Church”s presidency of the seventy, said following the iron rod included following the scriptures, personal revelation and the words of the living prophets.
Elder Andersen focused his message mainly on this last element and urged young adults in the church to follow strictly to the counsel of the prophet and apostles guiding the church today.
“We must also hold fast to the words of God as delivered by the living prophets,” Elder Andersen said. “But in acknowledging our love and our loyalty, I would ask could our attention to the counsel and teaching of these brethren be more active, searching and responsive?”
After asking this question, Elder Andersen said many members in the church “rarely pay attention to someone we do not recognize or know.”
He asked young adults if they could name the prophet and apostles today, if they could remember the counsel of those leaders in General Conference and the Ensign and if they could share an experience of how the messages of the brethren changed their lives.
“We have a responsibility to listen and to follow and we have a promise that blessings will come as we believe
and act on their words,” Elder Andersen said. “We are not forced to obey, there is no compulsion, but if we will be attentive to their words, if we will be responsive and willing to change our behavior as the Holy Ghost confirms their counsel, we will not be removed out of our place, meaning we will hold fast to the iron rod and will forever move safely on the path leading to the tree of life.”
Elder Andersen then explained the words members of church use to sustain the prophet and apostles today,
which were prophets, seers and revelators. He said prophets testify of Christ and their witnesses of him “can have a significance influence on our own feelings.”
“Spiritually seers see the lighter view,” Elder Andersen said. “They see sometimes what we cannot see. If we hold fast to the iron rod, we will be safe.”
In talking about the word “seers,” Elder Andersen emphasized the importance of paying tithing. He said the Lord will increase the faith of members of the church if they pay an honest tithe.
In addition, Elder Andersen said “revelators help us focus.” He stressed the importance of reading the Book of Mormon to read of Christ and the power the book has to strengthen the testimonies of members of the church. He also reminded young adults to follow the counsel of President Hinckley “to pursue as much education as possible.” Elder Andersen said President Hinckley received revelation from the Lord to deliver this message.
In finishing his message, Elder Andersen urged young adults to prepare for General Conference next month and to hold fast to the iron rod.
“The scriptures, the words of the living prophets and the gift of the Holy Ghost are powerful in their ability to keep us safe,” Elder Andersen said. “Let us hold fast to the words of the prophets. Let us hold fast to the iron rod.”
