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The Iron Rod
The Iron Rod Experience at Cinnamon Creek Camp
Cinnamon Creek Recreation Camp, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is located about 40 miles south of Logan, Utah. Covering over 4,000 acres, Cinnamon Creek Camp is filled with cottonwoods, maples and pine and the sparkling waters of the East Fork of the Little Bear River run through the entire camp. There are large areas where nine named camps are placed along a rough two-mile graveled road: Antum, Bountiful, Cumorah, Eden, Fountain, Gideon, Jerson, Lehi and Manti.
For over fourteen years, a physical Iron Rod has followed a narrow path through a beautiful, wooded area east of Gideon camp. This activity is designed to help campers understand the Iron Rod analogy recorded in the Book of Mormon and to understand the importance of listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost while keeping hold of the Iron Rod.
About thirty feet before The Rod begins is a large circle with log benches where the participants gather to talk about Lehi’s Dream and the angelic answers to Nephi’s questions, sing “The Iron Rod,” and discuss some of the experiences they will have along their journey. The current Iron Rod is 500 feet (1/4 mile) in length and runs directly alongside the creek in several areas. Next to or even leaning against the rod are large stones, heavy logs, and over-hanging branches to represent the obstacles faced during mortality. Because of the river and the shape of the ground, the rod curves, rises and falls, and finally ends at a stairway made of railroad ties. Another large circle with benches is located near the end of the rod to allow participants to gather and talk about their experiences, what they have learned and share insights gained.
As camp hosts for Fountain/Gideon for three years, we had the great joy of overseeing the Iron Rod and caring for the reflection circles. After a while, I began to write down some of the experiences we, as well as others, had on The Rod. This is a compilation of some of the most important lessons we learned and observed, as well as some experiences shared with us, about following the Iron Rod.