Alma 37

Nephi recorded many of their experiences as they journeyed to the promised land but Alma provides a little bit more information for his son saying -

"...They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence...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 teaches Helaman that this is "a type" or analogy to our life's journey. Speaking of the Liahona, Alma explains -

"...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." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:38 - 39)

It was unique or of "curious workmanship" in that -

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

We also have a compass, that being the words of Christ in scripture and modern day prophets - and the Holy Ghost which do point the way. They are so simple, but when we lack faith to believe and obey, we fail to travel in a direct course. Alma Admonished -

"...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)

"...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)

Therefore -

"...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 37:46)