Alma 37 - 40

Alma said to Helaman –

“…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.” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:38)

Here, Alma is referring to the instrument Lehi found as he –

“…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; 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.” (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:10)

The ball must have been very unique in that -

“…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.” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:39)

“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…” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:40)

The spindles within the ball must have been very easy to follow. But as easy as it was, it must have required a great deal of faith in that the spindles were pointing them in the direction they should go, for -

"...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." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:40)

These miracles must not have been overwhelming miracles, but must have seemed rather simple and easy, for -

“…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” (Book of Mormon Alma 37:41 - 42)

Alma used the Liahona as an analogy in teaching helaman obedience -

“…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”. (Book of Mormon Alma 37:43 - 44)

To see that Helaman understood, he asked -

"...is there not a type in this thing?" (Book of Mormon Alma 37:45)

Or in other words, do not the words of Christ give us direction in that which we should do? Is it really that difficult to read his words and obey?

"...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." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:45)

And these are the words of Christ spoken by Alma to his sons, Helaman and Shiblon -

"...cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:36 - 37)

"...I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things.
11 See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.
13 Do not pray...to be heard of men, and to be praised for their wisdom....but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times." (Book of Mormon Alma 38:10 - 14)

"...that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness." (Book of Mormon Alma 38:9)