1 Nephi 16

On the morning that Lehi's family were to take their journey into the wilderness -

"...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; and it was of fine brass." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:10)

And they discovered that -

"...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)

Nephi tells that as they traveled -

"...we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:16)

It is interesting to me that the ball didn't deliver them from the wilderness, but led them in the more fertile parts. And as they used this ball, they -

"...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." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:28)

These words suggest that the ball was energized or received power by faith and righteousness. As the group began to murmur losing faith in the Lord -

"...the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:25)

It was while Lehi was in this humble state of repentance -

"...the Lord said unto him: Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written.
27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:26 - 27)

Nephi tells us -

"...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." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:29)

On one instance -

"...I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball.
31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:30 - 31)

Nephi then gives us a great incite on the ways of the Lord -

"...And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 16:29)

Allowing the opportunity to develop faith. Years later, Alma applies a great analogy to the "ball of curious workmanship" while speaking to his son, Helaman -

"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." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:38 - 46)