How the Liahona Worked: Part Two: The Writing on the Ball by Peter K Bellville

How the Liahona Worked:

Part Two: The Writing on the Ball

by Peter K Bellville

In part one of “How the Liahona Worked”, we saw how the Liahona could have been a magnetic compass and how that compass could have directed Lehi even when he didn't know where he was going or how to use it. This part will address how the text messages on the ball changed to accommodate Lehi's circumstances. (1 Nephi 16:21-30) This is only hypothetical, of course, and only a suggestion meant to stimulate thinking about how God can use small means to direct us.

How might messages appear, disappear, and alter on the Liahona? The construction of the Liahona provides a clue for a simple explanation for the mysterious appearance of text. Two spindles are mentioned which suggests two pointers. (1 Nephi 16:10) The pointers are on a face or compass rose as discussed in part one. Possibly, two faces were part of the construction, one sandwiched over the other. The upper face could have a cutout, a window open to the lower face which would have text on it. As the upper desk, with accompanying pointer, shifted with changes in direction, the text on the lower disk would seem to change as the window moved over a new portion of text.

We don't know the nature of the text. Was it reformed Egyptian, Hebrew,

or some other readable language? Other than the type of writing, we can also consider what was said. The messages may have been very specific but we don't have an actual quote from the Liahona in the Book of Mormon. The text might have said, as an example,

"Nephi, hunt in the mountains to the west for the game you need to feed the company. You'll find Ibex in a ravine halfway up."

We can accept that miracles are part of God's plan so such specificity is possible. More likely, the text was suggestive and generic, probably scripture quotes that could be interpreted according to the spirit. Isaiah would be a likely source. For instance, when Nephi and Lehi consulted the Liahona to find food, Nephi says in 1 Nephi 16:30 that the Liahona instructed him to look for food in the top of the mountain. Perhaps he read something like this from Isaiah 25: 6:

And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

Or Isaiah 40:9 which reads:

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Many who read scriptures find personal messages seemly directed to them and their needs that in other moments would not have had meaning. Joseph Smith found on reading James 1:5 a directive that led to the restoration of the gospel. He most certainly had read the same passage on a previous occasion without much impact. Joseph Smith himself stated that never before had a scripture influenced him such as this one. (JS-History 1:11-12) This is most likely how the original Liahona functioned for Lehi and his family. Text would be revealed, possibly a quote from Isaiah or other scripture, and the spirit would inspire the reader.

The scriptures served as a Liahona for Joseph Smith. Likewise, the scriptures can serve as a Liahona for us in our own personal lives. Just as the Liahona guided Lehi, the scriptures can guide us according to the faith, heed, and diligence we give them .