1 Nephi 16: 29

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.

Obedience to the Lord’s commandments may seem difficult at times, but it really is not too much for the Lord to ask of us. And when we are faithfully diligent in keeping the commandments, in heeding revelation we may receive, the Lord can accomplish great things. These great things that the Lord can bring about could be rightfully called miracles. They are brought about by our faith and diligence, which is a small thing by comparison. King Benjamin seems to imply this by his choice of words in Mosiah 2: 22, where he is talking about blessings from the Lord. He mentions or lists what the Lord is willing to do for us, and says, “all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments.” That’s it. Such a small thing. Keeping his commandments requires faith. Even if we do the right thing, if it’s for the wrong reason, it’s not considered obedience to a commandment. This is what Mormon teaches in Moroni 7: 6–10. If we offer a gift, or pray unto God, “except [we] shall do it with real intent…it is not counted unto [us] for righteousness.” Laman and Lemuel are great examples of this. They did the right things, came with Lehi, went back for the plates, helped build the boat, etc., but they did it all for the wrong reason. They weren’t obeying the Lord so much as they were obeying their father, or saving their skins. I don’t think their good works were counted as righteousness. Later on, in Moroni 7: 37, Mormon makes it very clear that miracles are only possible through faith. Faith, as James says, is best demonstrated by works, or obedience, heed, and diligence to the word of God (see James 2: 14–26). During the Savior’s ministry on earth, there was a time he went to his own country, and even He was restricted; even He “did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13: 58).

On the other hand, there is the example of Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5. The Lord cured his leprosy because he washed in the river Jordan as directed by Elisha, the prophet. Such a small thing, washing in a river, which, as he pointed out to his servant, was something he could have done in any river (vs. 12). The servant, however, convinced Naaman to “experiment on [Elisha’s] words, and exercise a particle of faith,” which, when he completed the “small means” of Elisha’s instructions, great things were brought about; the instant cure of leprosy (see Alma 32:27 for the quote).

Lehi and his family enjoyed the miracle of revelation, very plain revelation, which is a great thing, through the small means of their faith and diligence. What a blessing to that family. We definitely get the better end of that deal in my opinion.

It occurs to me that this Liahona is symbolic of our relationship with various forms of instruction from God. There are two spindles, “one pointed the way whither [they] should go into the wilderness” (vs. 10). Presumably the other spindle pointed north, like a regular compass. If that’s the case, then the comparison could be made to the north-pointing spindle representing the scriptures. They are standard. They give God’s will in ways that could be applied to various circumstances through our own understanding. The spindle that pointed the way they should go could represent more current revelation, such as would come from a living prophet. In other words, you always know where north is (what the Lord’s standards are), now here is more specific instruction. In this case, go that direction. Then the writing on the Liahona might represent a very personal, very direct way of receiving personal revelation. An example of this might be when Nephi obtained the brass plates. The standard default position is that killing a defenseless person is murder, and against God’s commandments (the north-pointing spindle). Nephi is told to kill Laban so he can obtain the plates in disguise (the spindle pointing to where he should go in this specific case). Nephi didn’t want to do it, so he questioned the commandment given him by the Spirit. So He was given direct, detailed reasons by the Spirit for completing the commandment (the writing on the ball) (1 Nephi 4: 7–18). Maybe another, more modern example of this could be the Lord’s teaching that “whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5: 28). This is the north-pointing spindle. Modern prophets tell us that viewing pornography would be like lusting after a woman and committing adultery in our hearts (the spindle pointing the way to go). Then we are prompted to avoid or leave a specific web site because of its pornographic content (the writing on the ball). So it gets more specific and personal at each level.

• 2 Kings 5:13
• Job 32:8
• James 3:4
• Mosiah 2:22
• Alma 37:6 (6–8, 41)
• Moroni 7:37
• D&C 64:33

1 Nephi 16: 28

28 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.

Ingredients for revelation

This verse is often used in connection with discussions about miracles, and how miracles are dependant on our faith and diligence to be performed. The Savior himself is limited in what He can accomplish if the people have no faith (see Matthew 13:38). However, this verse has to do with a specific type of miracle: revelation.

Revelation is indeed a miracle by itself. Think about it. We can talk to God whenever we want to through the process of prayer. But that could be done whether or not God even exists. The miracle occurs when He talks back! And that can take on any number of forms. Joseph Smith received an actual visit from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in answer to his prayer in the spring of 1820. Revelation doesn’t get any more direct or powerfully dramatic than that. More often than that are impressions we receive, giving guidance. Other times the Lord chooses to use physical means to reveal His will, as in the case of the Liahona. This was a form of revelation, and as such, this verse gives us valuable information on what it takes to receive continuing revelation. The pointers in the Liahona only worked according to the company’s faith, diligence, and heed given them. And so it is with revelation without the Liahona. It is only given according to our faith, diligence, and heed. If we remove any of these ingredients, we lose that gift, that miracle of revelation (see D&C 1:33; 43:10; 93:39). It reminds me of the parable of the talents told by the Savior (Matthew 25:14–30). At the end of the parable, when the lord said, “unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” As applied to the principle of revelation, if we are diligent and give heed to revelations we receive, we will continue to receive them. However, if we are not, then we lose the privilege of receiving revelations. For most people, it is a matter of being sensitive enough to understand revelations, and the faith to heed them. Most people don’t have a Liahona.

• 1 Nephi 18:12
• Alma 37:40
• Moroni 7:37

1 Nephi 16: 26–27

26 And it came to pass that the voice of 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.

This small part of the account is interesting to me for a couple of reasons. Most obvious is the strange reaction, especially of Lehi, a prophet, to the incident. He heard the voice of the Lord, and all it said was to look at the ball. I know if I heard the voice of the Lord I would have a pretty strong reaction. It’s possible that Lehi, being a prophet, was more used to hearing the voice of the Lord, but still his strong reaction came after he looked at the ball and saw what was written there. This is the first time we read that the Liahona had this capability to give written instruction as well as pointers, so the reaction may have been to that revelation. At any rate, they looked at the ball, then Lehi, along with nearly everybody else, “did fear and tremble exceedingly.” My guess is this strong reaction was because they didn’t realize that the ball could work that way.

Getting back to hearing the voice of the Lord, we don’t know what form that voice took when Lehi heard it. It could have been an actual audible voice that Lehi heard with his ears, or it could have been a flash of inspiration that came to him, prompting him to look at the ball. If it was the former, I think there would have been a stronger reaction. So I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was inspired in a much more usual manner. Given that, shouldn’t I be quicker, as was Nephi, to recognize the voice of the Lord in the flashes of inspiration I receive? Am I, even while heeding the inspiration, slow to recognize these insights as the voice of the Lord? I pray that I will be quicker to recognize these experiences for what they are: revelation from God. It’s my Heavenly Father taking interest in my life.

The next observation about this incident is that Nephi vey pointedly leaves himself off the list of those who feared and trembled exceedingly at the sight of the writing. Now, being the one keeping the record, Nephi can leave whatever impression he wants, and in this case the impression is that he alone, of the whole company, was not surprised by the new writing on the ball. So either he was surprised along with everyone else, and just didn’t want future generations to know that, or he genuinely was not surprised at this manifestation of God’s will.

This experience reminds me of the account in Daniel, chapter 5 in the Old Testament. That’s the account of the king of Babylon seeing the writing on the wall that Daniel interpreted. Occasionally the Lord’s communication takes a very physical and public form like this. I would say that these cases, such as Daniel’s and Lehi’s are the minority. Usually revelation is much less obvious, much more personal, and takes more effort to discern and understand. I don’t really have any hope of understanding the Lord’s reasoning in this or many other matters, but I wonder if He just sometimes needs to get someone’s attention. That seems to be the case here. Maybe He just needed to remind Lehi’s company who was really in charge (see verse 29).

1 Nephi 16: 25

25 And it came to pass that 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.

I’m sure it’s not a pleasant experience to be chastened by the Lord Himself. Here Lehi endured it; later on in the Book of Mormon we read that the brother of Jared was chastened by the Lord for three hours! One other thing these two accounts have in common is that at the end of the chastening, both Lehi and the brother of Jared received new instructions. It’s wonderful evidence that when the Lord forgives, it really does become water under the bridge, so to speak. He does not hold the sin against the truly repentant sinner, and their relationship moves forward just the same as it was before, if not stronger.

Several scriptures point to the fact that this chastening of the Lord is a good thing. It’s evidence that He loves us, and that He has hope for us (see Job 5:17; Proverbs 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:5–9 for evidence of this). In Ether 2:14–15, where the brother of Jared’s experience with this is recorded, the Lord warned him that he needed to straighten up and sin no more, because His “Spirit will not always strive with man.” It would be much worse than being chastened by Him, to get the silent treatment from Him. That implies that you are so far gone that you are beyond hope, even for the Lord, who stands ready to forgive.

• Job 5:17
• Proverbs 3:11–12
• Hebrews 12:5–9
• Ether 2:14–15

1 Nephi 16: 24

24 And it came to pass that he did inquire of the Lord, for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul.

Alma said, “the preaching of the word [has] a great tendency to lead the people to do that which [is] just” (Alma 31:5). Lehi especially, being the Lord’s prophet, was responsive to Nephi’s preaching. It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall during this episode. Nephi said “many things unto them in the energy of [his] soul.” I just wonder in what attitude that energy was displayed. Was it frustration at their lapse in faith? Was it encouraging, like a pep talk? How do you call a prophet to repentance, especially when that prophet is your own father? It would have been an interesting scene to witness.

• Alma 31:5

1 Nephi 16: 23

23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?

If this experience is to be compared to something spiritual, everything needs to represent something. If we compare this experience to the Tree of Life dream, for example, the bow could equal the rod of iron. Without the bow and arrow, they could not obtain food; without the iron rod they cound not get to the Tree of Life. Just like holding to the rod is a voluntary act showing initiative to obtain the fruit of God’s love, making the bow is a voluntary act requiring initiative, and making it possible to obtain food. Because of our agency, initiative is an important component in returning to Heavenly Father. It insures that only those who want to return actually do return. It takes effort to make and keep covenants with our Heavenly Father, and although He loves all His children, only those who make and keep covenants will have a chance of truly becoming like Him. Just wanting it isn’t quite enough, as described in Matthew 7:21–23.

The second significant part of this verse is what Nephi does after he makes the bow and arrow. He asked his father where he should go to find food. What an expression of humility and obedience! Whether you take it from the standpoint of honoring his parent, or looking to the prophet for direction, it’s significant because Lehi had been one of the complainers (vs. 20), but he was still in charge. This also teaches that all of our initiative will only take us so far. We still need to look to the prophet as the Lord’s mouthpiece, and therefore the source of spiritual nourishment and direction. It’s also important to note how this show of confidence helped Lehi repent and turn to the Lord again.

• D&C 28:6–7

1 Nephi 16: 22

22 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren, because they had hardened their hearts again, even unto complaining against the Lord their God.

Typical of faithless people, Nephi’s brethren started blaming the Lord for their difficulties. In many cases, trials come as a result of iniquity, but this just seems to be due to the natural difficulties associated with a hard life in the wilderness. Although, as Alma suggests to his son, Helaman, in the case of Lehi and his family, any hardship such as this was due to getting lazy in following the directions on the Liahona (Alma 37:40–42). When the Children of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years, they complained to the Lord, or against the Lord when they had difficulty. They blamed Him for their hardships, when really the hardships were due to their own slothfulness in keeping the commandments, or their outright rebellion. In either case, complaining and blaming the Lord for hardship due to either natural circumstances or our own iniquity just makes matters worse. If it had not been for Nephi in this situation, things could have gotten much worse. D&C 59:21 says that the Lord gets offended or angry only against those who “confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.” In this account, that would apply to the Liahona. It’s possible that using it day to day became so routine that they took it for granted. And that led to the hardship of the broken bow.

• Alma 37: 42 (40–42)