This sounds like a wonderful reply. The only problem it creates is it destroys the image of what the Rod of Iron is supposed to be about. The Rod of Iron, as presented by the Church, is a relatively safe path through the mists of darkness and filthy river and leads safely to the Tree of Life. It is so envisioned because anyone can follow it, and it is thought everyone can take the same path. The idea is nice, and fits well into the Mormon Culture of 'The Thinking is Done for Us Already.'

If the Rod of Iron is the Word of God as ratified by the Spirit, then the rod is not as fixed in place as people imagine a rod of iron to be.

Well, I suppose we'll have to take a step back and watch the process of a new convert following the Iron Rod. First they gain a testimony of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. Right there we have a book of scripture which is accepted first as a whole, and later as individual chapters and verses. Can the Book of Mormon on its own get us to the Tree of Life? By Amonhi's answer I would say no. It will get us closer to God than any other book, but will not get us the whole way.

5 And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me.
6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.
7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste. - 1Ne. 8:5-7

President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel--said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church--that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls--applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall--that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds,..." -TotPJS, Section Five 1842-43, p.237

7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the Lord will answer him by myself:
8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;
11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord God.

9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field.
10 And it came to pass that I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.

19 The aweak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh--
20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;