XML : Use XElement or XDocument in vb.net

For simplicity let's say my XML is

  <root><Mode>TestMode1</Mode><ShipperID>1234</ShipperID></root>    

And I have the following code:

  Dim xmlObj As XElement = XElement.Parse(exampleString)  Console.WriteLine(xmlObj.<Mode>.Value)    

Or

  Dim doc As XDocument = XDocument.Parse(exampleString)  Dim specificElement = doc.Root.Element("Mode").Value  Console.WriteLine(specificElement)    

Which is the right way to go? The first treats the XML as an element whereas the second treats it as a document.

I prefer the first because I can reference the properties in the XML dynamically whereas in the second I need to reference by string.

Which way is the recommended way to go?