1 Nephi 8:20

20  And I also beheld a ^astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a ^bworld.

            -why are there two instruments that help lead to the tree of life?  Is one (i.e. just the rod of iron) insufficient to get us through all the obstacles we may be faced with?

            -we are given a second source of assistance to get us to the tree of life:  a strait and narrow path.  I have to wonder why two objects are established for our guidance.  If nothing else, it seems clear that God wants to give us all the help he can to bring us to the tree.  Again, while he can’t make us choose to come, he can and does give abundant assistance to those who are trying.

            -strait and narrow path = actions and behaviors that the ordinances and principles of the gospel guide us into.  Expected ways to act that are literally etched into this estate as a path going through the meadow.  How is it comparable to the rod of iron?!

            -a path is made after a large number of people traverse the same area of ground.  It becomes so worn that it becomes a distinct passageway.  Could it be that this path was made by the multitudes who had followed the iron rod to the tree?  Could it be that the path is a natural feature caused by those who had come before and traveled the same ground?

     “it led by the … fountain, unto a large and spacious field”

            -a path seems less prominent than a rod of iron. The more subtle path extends farther into the field than does the rod, it even goes by and beyond the head of the fountain.  Almost as if the nearer one approaches the tree, the more difficult/more obstacles there are, therefore more help is needed and hence an iron rod. A more sure guide that can be followed by the sense of feeling rather than sight alone.

    “a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.”

            -this world is a wide or open place where people may wander about and do many things unencumbered by direction or law.  There is, however, a guide or a purpose for those who are searching for it.  This standard is represented by the path and the rod that extend out into the world.  A traveler who is exploring the wide world will likely come upon –even if by accident- these standards.  At that moment there is a choice to pursue these fixed objects and discover where they lead or to continue wandering.  If the decision is to follow the path and the rod, they will come out of the world and find a glorious destination that is sweet and magnificent.