More imagery is introduced. Later, Nephi beheld that the rod of iron “was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life” (1 Nephi 15:25). The fountain of living waters, or the tree of life, must not be confused with the river of water which is also called a fountain (1 Nephi 15:32). Nephi’s explanation to his brothers of the iron rod being the word of God (1 Nephi 15:24) is the proposed precept of chapter three and will be commented on later. The book of Revelation uses the same symbolism. John speaks of the faithful ruling over the nations with “a rod of iron” (Revelation 2:26–27).
The Joseph Smith Translation interprets John’s promise in the eternal context, having “power over many kingdoms,” and “shall rule them with the word of God,” confirming Nephi’s definition of the “rod of iron” (see the JST text in the LDS Bible appendix p. 812).
The strait and narrow path is not defined, but is the path to the tree of life as will be shown in further analysis of the vision.
There are four classes of people described in the following fourteen verses and are first summarized.