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. [1 Nephi 8:23]
A Foggy Foe
As if it wasn’t already difficult enough for us to remain on the Strait and Narrow Path and continue “pressing forward”, despite the distractions and detours presented by the Filthy Fountain and the Great and Spacious Building, now another foe arises in the form of a deceitful fog, as to keep us from reaching our divine destination and destiny safe and sound.
A Hazing Haze
The Mist of Darkness is not merely a test of our coordination and direction, or just another “opposition in all things.” It is specifically (and devilishly) designed to disorient, deter and detour us from reaching, even from seeing, the Tree of Life (the Love of God). For the devil knows if we cannot see the Tree, or the Path, we will hopefully give in to despair and abandon Abba and our journey to His Tree.
The Tempter’s Trepidation
Thus, the devil isn’t just trying to make reaching the tree more difficult, or delay our arrival, he is trying to absolutely stop us from taking one more step towards the Lord. Because the devil knows that even one step at a time, even “line upon line” will lead us closer to the Lord. And the closer we are to the Lord’s light and love, means that the further we are away from the devil’s deceptions and intentions to destroy us.
Christian Claustrophobia
Thus, the Mist is meant to blind us, to scare us and even to suffocate us into not only turning back, but losing our way and giving up of God and giving up on ourselves in the darkness. In the eclipsing confusion we lose all sense of direction and protection. What then shall we do? How can we possibly endure such mists of mayhem, darkness and despair? What shall we do that we do not “lose our way, wander off and become lost forever?”
The Lord knew before He even planted the Tree of Life and created the Strait and Narrow Path that there would arise a mighty Mist of Darkness to deceive and detour us away from Him. That is why He also forged the Iron Rod (the Word of God). A visible, tangible, incorruptible way for each of us to stay true and straight on the Strait and Narrow. And if we hold tight to it, no mist of darkness or winds of wickedness will ever be able to keep us from reaching our divine destination—the Tree of Life.