“The Rod of My Mouth”

A rod is “a long thin pole made of wood or metal” (Cambridge Dictionary).

In the scriptures, a rod can represent:

1. Discipline or correction: “The rod and reproof give wisdom” (Proverbs 29:15).
2. Power or authority: “He shall rule them with a rod of iron” (Revelation 2:27).
3. Support and protection: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
4. Guidance and direction: “I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life” (1 Nephi 11:25).

The “rod” in the first three passages conjures an image of a leader holding a staff or a scepter, while the fourth passage sounds more like a handrail. But the rod from Lehi’s dream also provides protection, as Nephi explained to his brothers:

And they said unto me: What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?

And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

1 Nephi 15:23-24

In 1829, the Lord told Martin Harris, “Repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:15).

What is the rod of God’s mouth?

This sounds like a reference to the following prophecy of Isaiah:

There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse … and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

2 Nephi 21:1, 4; Isaiah 11:1, 4; see

The Lord seems to be teaching us that His words provide guidance, protection, and power. How could we be smitten by those words? He explains the nature of the affliction by reminding Martin of a prior experience with guilt:

…lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.

Doctrine and Covenants 19:20

God always speaks truth. (See Ether 3:12.) His words hurt when our actions and desires collide with realities that we would rather ignore or deny. We feel it when we step off of the path and miss it. The good news is that His words can prompt us to find the path again and overcome that dissonance in our souls, but only if we’re willing to listen to Him. Only if we’re willing to follow His guidance.

Today, I will pay attention to the correction and guidance God sends to me. I will remember that His words can protect me, sustain me, and direct me back to Him if I’m willing to listen, and if I’m willing to change.