1 Nephi 8:10; it's interesting the contrast in the beginning of this chapter with "a dark and dreary wilderness." and Lehi goes and partakes of the "fruit" that "was desirable to make one happy"

David A. Bednar said;

The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement.  Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully efficacious in our lives.  The fruit is described as "desirable to make one happy" (1 Ne 8:10) and produces great joy and the desire to share that joy with others. (Ensign, Oct. 2011, 34)

Right after Lehi partook of the fruit He felt of its goodness and had such love for his family that he desired them to partake of the fruit. 

"And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about if they were ashamed."

My mission president told me that 60% of those that leave the church will return. Which gave me comfort because there are a lot leaving the church right now because of the big stances it has taken with the way the world is going.

In speaking of the Iron rod as the word of God;

Ezra Taft Benson said,

"We must engage in activities that bring spiritual power. I speak of such activities as immersing ourselves in the scriptures. There is a power that flows into our lives when we read and study the scriptures on a daily basis that cannot be found in any other way." (1987-1988 BYU Devotional and Fireside Speeches, pp. 53-54, as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormoncompiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p.31)

Joseph Fielding Smith

"Mark you, this word strait is spelled s-t-r-a-i-t and not s-t-r-a-i-g-h-t. While no doubt, that path which leads into the presence of God is straight, it is also strait, which means that those who enter into it will find it restricted; it is narrow; they cannot take with them that which does not apply, or which does not belong to the kingdom of God. All such things must be left behind when we enter into this narrow way which leads in to the presence of God, where we can receive life eternal. 'Few there be that find it.'" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 2. pp. 13-14 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p.31-2)

We need to make sure we stay on the path and continue to hold on to the Iron rod.

David A. Bednar

In 1 Nephi 8:24-28 we read about a second group of people who obtained the strait and narrow path that led to the tree of life. This group "did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree" (verse 24). However, as the finely dressed occupants of the great and spacious building mocked this second group of people, "they were ashamed" and "fell away into forbidden paths and were lost" (verse 28). Please notice that this group is described as "clinging to the rod of iron" (1 Nephi 8:24; emphasis added).

 

It is significant that the second group pressed forward with faith and commitment. They also had the added blessing of the rod of iron, and they were clinging to it! However, as they were confronted with persecution and adversity, they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group eventually was lost-perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional "bursts" of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God. (Ensign, Oct. 2011, 35)

Am I clinging onto the word of God or just holding? Blessing: I was able to sleep very well last night and this moring because it wasn't hot.