I love this statement by Nephi about the Liahona. “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things” (1 Nephi 16:28; RE 1 Nephi 5:8).
Later on Alma explains to his son, Helaman, that the liahona is a type of the word of God as found in the scriptures.
“And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.
39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
40 And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.
41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;
42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.
43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell” (Alma 37:38-47; RE Alma 17:15-17).
The words of Christ are truly a feast and a faithful counselor. I’m so blessed to have the scriptures. I’m so blessed to have had many experiences in my life where the scriptures were the medium for the Lord to instruct me and to hear his voice.
Additionally I have noticed that the words change. Well, kind of. It’s actually me that is changing and so the same words on the page change to fit my needs, just as the liahona did for Lehi and his family. As we continue faithful in our journey, the terrain changes and our ability to understand and follow. Veils of unbelief are removed from my mind as I accept the truths he gives me. The words become alive again and again, teaching according to my diligence and faith in following him, the one true God.
So, in reality, It’s me and my vistas of spirituality that are changing. The words appear to change as they give me the perfect route to navigate this journey of life.
For example, when I discovered Joseph taught against polygamy and never practiced it, I was certain the Lord sanctioned it in Jacob 2-3. I went back again and again through those verses to seek for justification or proof against the practice of plural marriage. Then one day, it just clicked. I could see what the Lord was saying through Jacob and now I can’t see it the old way anymore. I had continued faithful and the Lord unlocked his word to me. A new vista finally appeared.
Praise be to God for the liahona! Praise be to God for the scriptures, his word, that lead us through the layers of the onion as we progress. Each layer is beautiful and nutritious but there is always more if we continue searching for truth.
I testify that Jesus was speaking the truth when he counseled us, “whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived” (JS-Matthew 1:37; RE Matthew 11:9).
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