302 The Liahona

1 Nephi 16:6, 1 Nephi 16:910, 1 Nephi 16:16, 1 Nephi 16:2829; Alma 37:38
And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship. 1 Nephi 16:10

After Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, they camped in a valley that Lehi named Lemuel. One night the Lord spoke to Lehi, commanding him to continue his journey into the wilderness the next day. (See 1 Nephi 16:6, 1 Nephi 16:9.)

The following morning Lehi went to the tent door and, to his amazement, found a strange round ball on the ground (see 1 Nephi 16:10). The ball was called the Liahona, which means "compass" (see Alma 37:38).

The Liahona was made of fine brass, and inside the ball were two spindles. One of the spindles pointed the direction Lehi and his family were to travel. (See 1 Nephi 16:10.) They followed the directions in the ball and were led through "the more fertile parts of the wilderness" (1 Nephi 16:16). They found that the pointers worked according to their faith, work, and obedience (see 1 Nephi 16:28).

The ball also contained writings that helped them understand the ways of the Lord. This writing changed from time to time as they believed and obeyed the Lord's instructions. (See 1 Nephi 16:29.)

Summary

The Liahona was an unusual compass, round like a ball and made of fine brass. The prophet Lehi discovered it one morning at the door of his tent in the wilderness. The Liahona pointed the direction that Lehi and his family should travel. It also contained written messages that helped them understand the ways of the Lord. The Liahona worked according to their faith, work, and obedience.

Artist, Arnold Friberg

© 2002 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA