Mists of Darkness by Doctorcraft, Lawyercraft, Priestcraft

"The four pillars that uphold the Devil's kingdom are Doctorcraft, Lawyercraft, Priestcraft and Kingcraft."  Brigham Young

Mists of darkness causes those pressing forward in the path to let go of the iron rod which is guiding them to the tree of life and the fruit which is "white above all that is white, and pure above all that is pure" which fills and satisfies the souls of those who partake.  Thus these wander off into forbidden paths and perish.

The iron rod is the scriptures, saith the Lord.

Van Hale is an example of doctorcraft (experts, scholars, scientists, a snobbish elite who practice infamy against the testimony of the prophets).  His whole program is an effort to persuade those pressing forward, who have grasped the end of the iron rod to guide them, to let go, since these scriptures are "myths" and words of men, opinion, etc.  Those who let go due to the derisive comments of these, in their attitude of pointing the finger and mocking the humble followers of Christ, become ashamed and wander off into "forbidden paths" (humanism, Darwinism, teachings of men) and are lost.

19 And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood. And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood.... And I saw numberless concourses of people,... that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood. And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree. 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.  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 8:19–23)