sometimes we cling

This week in class we discussed the prophet Lehi's vision of the tree of life recorded in the Book of Mormon. In his vision, he sees various groups of people holding to an iron rod making their way toward the tree of life. There are some who get lost in mists of darkness, some who make it to the tree and then fall away, and some who make it to the tree and remain. Those latter two groups always seem to be compared, and this week in class was no exception. 

Lehi sees those last two groups one after the other. The first he describes as "clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit...[but then] cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed and...fell away" (1 Nephi 8: 24-25, 28). In contrast, the next group pressed forward "continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree" (1 Nephi 8:31). A lot of focus is always put on the difference between clinging and holding steadfast, and how you can't ever dare cling or you'll fall away. While I get the point most people are trying to make, I disagree. And I think that the clingers get a lot of flak.

Life isn't easy. We're imperfect beings with imperfect knowledge and understanding. We make mistakes. We don't always have a firm and steadfast grip on the iron rod. We don't always have strong testimonies of every single gospel principle. Yet, as Alma tells us, "yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe" (Alma 32:27). Sometimes we have to cling because sometimes we don't truly know for ourselves, and all we can do is desire to believe and cling tight to that iron rod. We trust that further light and understanding will come, and we cling. However, we can't cling forever. Sooner or later we need to gain a testimony for ourselves or we let go. And that's what I think the main difference is between the two groups. Not that one group clung the rod while the other didn't, but that one group only clung to the rod. They didn't stay at the tree because they hadn't come to know truth for themselves. Their clinging never turned to a steadfast grip. If it had, I'm sure they would have stayed.

I've had my moments when I've clung to the rod. It's hard and scary and sometimes we don't get answers right away. Testimonies aren't built overnight. But I know that when we desire to believe and hold on as tight as we can, God will make weak things strong. Our weak grip can turn to a continually steadfast grip if we allow faith to take root in our hearts and grow. We can make it to the Savior and stay, and that's exactly where He wants us to be. So if you have to cling for now, cling. But allow yourself to trust in Him and make that grip steadfast so that you stay and enjoy all the blessings that He has for you.