THE LIAHONA - DECISIONS DETERMINE DESTINY

Lehi received a command from the Lord that it was time to leave their camp in the valley and travel forward to a destination unknown to Lehi, but known to God. They had the brass plates, Ishmael and his family had joined them, and his sons and Zoram were all married.  They were to take down their tents and pack their things and leave as soon as they were able.  Lehi must have felt a little apprehensive not knowing how they would find their way. The next morning, something miraculous had happened.

Nephi  recorded it in this way:

And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, it his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass.  And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness (1 Nephi 16: 10)

The two spindles were pointers that showed them which way they should go, much as a compass does. The difference was that it also gave written instructions that changed according the Lehi's needs.

They soon learned that the ball only gave them instructions when they were being righteous. Nephi wrote that the pointers worked only according to the faith and diligence and heed which the family demonstrated (1 Nephi 16: 28)
There was also writing upon the ball which gave them an understanding of how to use the ball, and that writing changed according to their needs and faithfulness (See 1 Nephi16: 29)*

The family did pack their tents and belonging and traveled south-southeast into the wilderness.  The followed the directions given on the ball which led them to the most fertile parts of the wilderness, in the borders near the Red Sea.  The men provided food for their families along the way by hunting wild beasts.

When Nephi broke his bow and the company murmured against him and against God, the director didn't work.  Lehi and his family had to repent and humble themselves so that they could receive further directions.

Nephi made a new bow and asked his father where he might go to find game.  Lehi had to humble himself before the Lord and he was chastised because of his murmuring and the murmuring of the other sons. (16: 24, 25) The Lord directed Lehi to inquire of the Liahona.  The pointers directed Nephi to go the top of the mountain.  Nephi did and was able to find meat for the family.

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Nephi learned from using the Liahona that through small things the Lord can bring about great things. (16: 29) He also learned that, even in adversity, if you are faithful and obedient, the Lord will direct your footsteps.

What is my Liahona?  It is the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  It, too, works according to my faithfulness.  President Thomas S. Monson told the Saints that our Decision Determine our Destiny.  I am not a product of what has happened to me in my life so much as I am a product of my decisions.  I have made good decisions.  I have also made poor decisions. Simple mistakes don't seem to stop my Liahona from working, but deliberate poor choices - when I knew better - do shut down the Spirit.

President Nelson has asked us all to develop a close relationship with the Holy Ghost and to live worthy of His constant companionship.  Our spiritual survival depends on it.

©January 2020, Dr. Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson

*Nephi didn't record a name for this instrument, simply calling it the director. It was several hundred years later that a descendant of Nephi, another Prophet name Alma, the Younger, recorded that the ball was called the Liahona. (See Alma 37: 38) It was passed down through the line of Nephite kings (see Mosiah 1: 16 for an example) and was ultimately buried by the Prophet Moroni when he his up the plates.  The three witnesses to the Book of Mormon reported that they had seen the Liahona when the angel showed them the plates. (Doctrine and Covenants)