Photo of the Day: Hold to the Rod

Ye Olde Homestead, Connecticut House Decades of clasping to our family's own iron rod kept us safely passing up and down the stories of our home - sometimes with the tune echoing through our heads. (This stoop was also "my office" all through middle and high school, where I was allowed to make my 10-20 minute phone calls.) Boldly 1. To Nephi, seer of olden time, A vision came from God, Wherein the holy word sublime Was shown an iron rod. [Chorus] Hold to the rod, the iron rod; ’Tis strong, and bright, and true. The iron rod is the word of God; ’Twill safely guide us through. 2. While on our journey here below, Beneath temptation’s pow’r, Through mists of darkness we must go, In peril ev’ry hour. 3. And when temptation’s pow’r is nigh, Our pathway clouded o’er, Upon the rod we can rely, And heaven’s aid implore. 4. And, hand o’er hand, the rod along, Through each succeeding day, With earnest prayer and hopeful song, We’ll still pursue our way. 5. Afar we see the golden rest To which the rod will guide, Where, with the angels bright and blest, Forever we’ll abide. Text: Joseph L. Townsend, 1849–1942 Music: William Clayson, 1840–1887 1 Nephi 8:21–24
	21. And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree* by which I stood. 22. And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.				23. And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. 24. And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. *The Tree of Life