Alma Chapter 37

Scripture Mastery

Alma 37:6-7 By small and simple things are great things brought to pass, and small means, in many instances, doth confound the wise.

Alma 37:35-37 Alma to his son Helaman, Remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.

Chapter 37 consists of the continued counsel of Alma to his son Helaman. Alma will challenge each of his three sons to obey the commandments, to be an example to others, and to proclaim the gospel. To Helaman, however, he will give additional responsibilities.

1 And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;

verse 1 "the records which have been entrusted with me" These include the Nephite records (the small plates of Nephi and the collection of plates referred to as the large plates of Nephi), the plates of brass, and the twenty-four plates containing a record of the Jaredites. The other sacred artifacts entrusted to Helaman were the interpreters or Urim and Thummim, and the Liahona.

Apparently Alma had first offered the sacred records to Nephihah, his successor as chief judge. When Nephihah refused to take possession of them, they were given to Helaman (see Alma 50:38).

2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.

verse 2 Alma commands Helaman to write and continue the record. Helaman's record will begin with Alma 45 and extend through Alma 62. The final chapter in the book of Alma, Alma 63, was written by Helaman's brother Shiblon with heavy editing by the prophet Mormon.

"it is for a wise purpose that they are kept" There are two major purposes for the Nephites' records. We will read of these purposes in verses 8-10, 14, 18-19.

3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning-

verse 3 The plates of brass, of course played a major role in the spiritual lives of the Book of Mormon peoples. These plates were their scripture, and undoubtedly many copies of the brass plates were made and distributed among the people. We might easily review the contents of the brass plates by reviewing 1 Nephi 4-5 and the commentary for the verses in those two chapters. The contents of the plates of brass may be summarized as follows:

1. the five books of Moses

2. the prophecies of many Israelite prophets down to the prophet Jeremiah. We know that many prophecies of the prophet Jeremiah were contained on the brass plates (1 Nephi 5:13), but it is likely that the entire book of Jeremiah was not contained on the brass plates, as he was a contemporary of the prophet Lehi. Lehi and his family might well have left Jerusalem prior to Jeremiah's completion of his writings.

3. a genealogy of Lehi's ancestors. We have previously enumerated several features of the brass plates that are not found in the Old Testament. Thus the plates of brass constituted a more comprehensive scriptural record than the Bible as we know it today (see the commentary for 1 Nephi 5:11-14 and 1 Nephi 13:23 and its commentary). We also know that the plates of brass were written in the language of the Egyptians (see Mosiah 1:4 and its commentary).

4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.

verse 4 This is an intriguing verse. It suggests that the content of the brass plates will be preserved and handed down until it is finally delivered to "every nation, kindred, tongue, and people." What do you suppose this means exactly? Certainly one of the ways by which the people of our day have and will be exposed to the messages on the brass plates is through the Book of Mormon, since the Book of Mormon prophets had the brass plates and often depended on them for their sermons and writings. Perhaps one day, in addition, the brass plates themselves will be restored to the earth and the knowledge thereon will be available to all who would avail themselves of the opportunity to learn from them (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 103; and Millennial Messiah, 113). The prophet Lehi once uttered a prophecy similar to the one in this verse (1 Nephi 5:18).

5 And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.

verse 5 "if they are kept they must retain their brightness" It seems likely that Alma intended a double meaning here. To be "kept" is to be properly cared for. If the plates are properly preserved, they will not tarnish and will maintain their luster. Also, if they are properly valued and cherished, they will always retain their spiritual brightness and remain a source of continuing spiritual satisfaction.

"yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ" Alma then prophesies that the plates of brass will, indeed, retain their spiritual brightness, as will other plates of divine provenance (including the Book of Mormon).

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

verse 6 "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" Here is an important principle. In a man's personal spiritual progress, for example, the small inch by inch and "line upon line" steps he takes eventually accrue incrementally and result in "great" end results. It is by being faithful and diligent in the small and menial tasks that we eventually receive magnificent spiritual gifts. President Joseph F. Smith wrote: "To do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness" (Gospel Doctrine, 285-86).

7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

verses 8-10 The Nephite records had two important purposes. First, they had been and would yet be used to teach the Lamanites and the Nephites. The second major purpose will be given in verses 14 and 18: to show forth God's "power unto future generations" (see also verse 19).

8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.

verse 8 "they have enlarged the memory of this people" It is interesting to note that all of the plates in the possession of Alma have been used by the Nephite peoples as their scriptures. This includes likely more than just the plates of brass. It will one day be interesting to learn exactly by what mechanism the large and small plates and the plates of Ether might have been made available to the people.

The scriptures "enlarge" our memory by reminding us of our covenants and obligations in the kingdom of God here on earth. King Benjamin suggested the inevitable results when a people has no opportunity to have their memories enlarged by scripture: "Even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct" (Mosiah 1:5).

9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.

verse 9 Obviously Ammon and his brethren carried with them on their mission personal copies of at least some of the materials contained on the brass plates of Laban. Further, the "incorrect traditions" of the Lamanite fathers would have been more easily corrected by the Lamanites' having access to the small and large plates of Nephi.

10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?

verse 10 "they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them" "They" refers to the scriptural records on the plates. "Them" refers to Lamanites who might be converted to the gospel of Christ in the future.

11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.

verse 11 "these mysteries are not yet fully made know unto me" The full impact of the brass plates and other plates on future generations had not yet been made known to Alma, therefore he will "forbear," or say nothing further on the matter.

12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.

verse 12 "he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works" God's perspective is an omniscient and eternal one. He invariably knows what is ultimately best for each of us. Thus, "he doth counsel in wisdom."

"his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round" These phrases refer to a rich and vital concept. We are all governed by God's law. That law is absolute, completely reliable, unvarying, and its consequences are inescapable. For every action there is an identical consequence. These results follow without respect to person. It has always been thus, in Adam's day just as in ours and in the eternities to come. Thus, "his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round."

A "straight" path seems to be the Book of Mormon metaphor for the righteous use of time. The word straight means "direct, right (correct), or not bent or curved." The use of the word straight in this verse is appropriate and related to the word straight in Isaiah 40:3. See the supplemental article, Strait and Straight in the Book of Mormon.

13 O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land-but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence.

verse 13 "If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land-but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence" Here again is the now familiar "promise/curse" of the Book of Mormon. The earliest reference to this promise from the Lord is in 1 Nephi 2:20: "And inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall proper, and shall be led to a land of promise."

14 And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations.

15 And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind.

verse 15 "ye shall be delivered up unto Satan" What is the essence of being "delivered up unto Satan"? It is simply to lose access to the Spirit of God. Such a man is helpless and defenseless. It is inevitable that he will eventually find himself fully captive to the devil.

Alma's analogy of being sifted "as chaff before the wind" is apt. This process is also called winnowing or threshing. In this particular case the righteous are the wheat, and those without the Spirit of God are the worthless waste materials-the husks, the chaff. The latter cannot resist the "wind." They will be separated from the righteous and taken captive by Satan.

16 But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) behold, no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words.

verse 16 Alma urges his son Helaman to seek the Lord's help in just how he might best superintend the sacred plates.

17 For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers.

18 For he promised unto them that he would preserve these things for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth his power unto future generations.

verse 18 Keep in mind that "these things" include the Nephite records (the small plates of Nephi and the collection of plates referred to as the large plates of Nephi), the plates of brass, the twenty-four plates containing a record of the Jaredites, the interpreters or Urim and Thummim, and the Liahona.

19 And now behold, one purpose hath he fulfilled, even to the restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; and he hath shown forth his power in them, and he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved.

verse 19 "One purpose hath he fulfilled" Alma refers again to the mission of Ammon and his brethren to the Lamanites (verse 9).

"he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved" Alma knew from his study of the small plates of Nephi the account of Nephi's vision, and he knew the prophecies contained therein pertaining to the future of the Nephites and Lamanites (1 Nephi 12; see also 1 Nephi 15:5). The Nephites will eventually be destroyed, and the Lamanites will be preserved.

20 Therefore I command you, my son Helaman, that ye be diligent in fulfilling all my words, and that ye be diligent in keeping the commandments of God as they are written.

21 And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty-four plates, that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, and that ye preserve these interpreters.

verse 21 "those twenty-four plates" These of course are the plates found by the expedition sent out by King Limhi from the land of Lehi-Nephi (see Mosiah 21:25-28). The expedition had set out to locate the land of Zarahemla, but instead they bypassed Zarahemla, passed through the narrow pass (through the narrow neck of land), and came upon the land Desolation, the site of the great final wars of the Jaredites. Here they discovered the twenty-four plates which had been prepared and buried by Ether. Doubtless they had been hidden in such a way that they would be discovered. These plates were later translated by king Mosiah, the son of king Benjamin, and they will yet be abridged by Moroni and become part of the plates of Mormon, the book of Ether. Perhaps a review of the article, Those Confusing Book of Mormon Plates, would be helpful at this point.

"that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works . . . may be made manifest unto this people" There were certain things in the Jaredite record that Alma wanted taught to the Nephites as useful negative lessons. We will learn that there were also some things in the Jaredite record that Alma did not want revealed to the Nephite peoples (see verses 27, 29, 32).

"and that ye preserve these interpreters" We have previously discussed the interpreters in the commentary for Mosiah 8:13. For review and for the convenience of the reader, we will repeat that discussion here. We understand the "interpreters" to be the "Urim and Thummim," two special stones prepared by God and used by prophets for receiving revelations and for translating scriptural records written in a language unknown to the prophet. God's prophets who are allowed to use the Urim and Thummim have been referred to as "seers." The term "interpreters" is unique to the Book of Mormon. The name "Urim and Thummim" is the transliteration of two Hebrew words which mean "lights" and "perfections." The -im ending on both words apparently represents the Hebrew masculine plural suffix. The term "Urim and Thummim" is not found in the Book of Mormon text. For a detailed physical description of the interpreters, see The Process of Translating the Book of Mormon in Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine, volume 2, appendix A.

Is there more that one set of interpreters in ancient scripture? There are at least two and possibly three or more. The brother of Jared was the first to receive a set (Ether 3:22-28). Joseph Smith, of course, possessed the interpreters, and we are told that his were the same that had been in the possession of the brother of Jared (D&C 17:1). Where did king Mosiah get his? There is no mention of Lehi and his party's bringing these stones with them. Some have suggested that Mosiah obtained his from his father and grandfather, Benjamin and Mosiah. This idea originates with the account of the elder Mosiah's translating the Mulekite's large stone "by the gift and power of God" (Omni 1:20-21). Were king Mosiah's interpreters the same as those given to the brother of Jared? It is possible, but it seems unlikely they were, unless the early Mulekites found them among the artifacts previously belonging to the Jaredites and handed them down to eventually be delivered by the people of Zarahemla to Mosiah. Abraham received a set of interpreters (Abraham 3:1). Either Abraham's set was passed along or Moses received another (Exodus 28:30). The fate of this set or these sets is unknown. There are several other mentions of this type of device in the Old Testament (Leviticus 8:8; Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 33:8; 1 Samuel 28:6; Ezra 2:63; Nehemiah 7:65).

22 For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth.

verse 22 "the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness" Alma is here referring to the Jaredites. The Lord had warned them through their prophets that if they did not repent, they would be destroyed.

23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.

verse 23 "I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone" The punctuation of this phrase suggests that "Gazelem" is the servant. The stone is the Urim and Thummim. If a comma were placed following the word servant, then the phrase might suggest that the title Gazelem referred instead to the stone. Perhaps it refers to both. It is interesting to recall that Jesus gave to Simon Peter the title "stone": "And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone" (John 1:42). The title "Gazelem" in this verse may refer to any seer or prophet, but it has been suggested that it might be a direct reference to Joseph Smith. In the Doctrine and Covenants (pre-1981 editions only), Joseph Smith is called "Gazelam" (note the different spelling), which is perhaps a variant spelling of Gazelem.

"that I may discover unto my people . . . the works of their brethren" The word "discover" here means reveal.

24 And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:

25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.

verse 25 Here Alma seems to be quoting some scriptural source which is not available to us today.

26 And now, my son, we see that they did not repent; therefore they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of God has been fulfilled; yea, their secret abominations have been brought out of darkness and made known unto us.

verse 26 Alma is still referring to the Jaredites.

27 And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall keep from this people, that they know them not, lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.

verse 27 Alma commanded his son Helaman to "retain" or keep secret the specific mechanisms of the secret combinations of the Jaredites-the oaths, covenants, and agreements. This, of course, was to guard against their potentially seductive effects on any who might receive them.

These forbidden secret writings were undoubtedly found on the twenty-four plates along with the more useful materials. So what was Helaman to do in order to comply with this wise commandment from his father? Obviously he would allow the plates to be seen and handled only by those who understood and agreed to comply with Alma's edict. Was Helaman true to his charge? We know that secret combinations will eventually arise among the Nephites organized by Gadianton and others. Did the oaths and covenants of these secret Nephite combinations originate with these twenty-four Jaredite plates? We will learn that they did not. Helaman was diligent in guarding the plates (see Helaman 6:25-26).

Peradventure means by chance or perhaps.

28 For behold, there is a curse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe; therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed.

verse 28 The destruction of the wicked Jaredites had left a curse upon all of the land of the Book of Mormon. The Lord had given a clear warning to the brother of Jared that the wicked should be "swept off" the land (Ether 2:8-9).

For a discussion of the concept of being "fully ripe" in iniquity, see comments on "ripe for destruction" under the subtitle "Pride Operates at Various Levels" under the title "Pride" in Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine, volume 1, chapter 5, The "Natural Self" and "Spiritual Self."

"therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed" The Lord expresses his desire that the Nephites not fall under the same fate as had the Jaredites.

29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.

30 For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret combinations.

31 Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.

verse 31 "before they are fully ripe" To be fully ripe is for a wicked man to progress far enough in wickedness that his judgment is sealed against him.

32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity.

verse 32 "teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity" This is not just so much rhetoric. Those who have progressed spiritually to a certain point are spoken of as being sanctified, and they have actually lost their disposition to commit sin (Mosiah 5:2).

33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

verse 34 "Teach them to never be weary of good works" Is it possible to become weary of doing good works? It is if we undertake good works for incorrect reasons-if our motivations for doing good are largely arbitrary or self-serving ones. We are in danger of wearying of good works if we do good works just because we have decided to, or because we have set a goal and we are sticking doggedly to that goal, or because we are involved in this or that achievement or excellence program. On the other hand, we never tire of good works if they are properly motivated. We are properly motivated when the Spirit of God abides in us and moves toward acts of charity toward others.

"such shall find rest to their souls" For a discussion of the concept of the rest of the Lord, see the commentary for 2 Nephi 21:10.

35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

verse 35 The verb to remember in Hebrew texts means far more that the mere mental recall of information. This verb occurs in the Old Testament over two hundred times and means "to be attentive, to consider, to keep divine commandments, or to act. . . . Indeed, to remember involves turning to God, or repenting, or acting in accordance with divine injunctions. . . . Conversely, the antonym of the verb to remember in Hebrew-to forget-does not merely describe the passing of a thought from the mind, but involves a failure to act, or a failure to do or keep something. Hence, failing to remember God and his commandments is the equivalent of apostasy" (Louis C. Midgley, "O Man, Remember, and Perish Not," a FARMS reprint, March 1990). For examples of other uses of the verb to remember in the Book of Mormon see Mosiah 4:30; Mosiah 13:29-30; Alma 37:35; Moroni 4:3).

36 Yea, and 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.

verse 36 Praying always entails constantly being conscious of God and his plan of salvation. It consists of having a continual attitude which directs us during every waking moment of mortality, of maintaining a spiritual posture of thankfulness and reliance on the Lord, of desiring the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Brigham Young noted that to pray always is to live as we pray: "I do not know any other way for the Latter-day Saints than for every breath to be virtually a prayer for God to guide and direct his people. . . . Every breath should virtually be a prayer that God will preserve us from sin and from the effects of sin" (Discourses of Brigham Young. Ed. John A. Widtsoe. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1977, 43-44). The scriptures enumerate the blessings of praying always: "Pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him" (3 Nephi 18:15); "I will pour out my Spirit upon you" (D&C 19:38); "I [will] unfold [truth] to [your] understanding" (D&C 32:4); and pray always "that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom" (D&C 33:17).

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.

verse 37 In an interesting article by Angela Crowell ("Hebrew Poetry in the Book of Mormon, Part 1," Zarahemla Record, Nos. 32-33 [1986]:2-9) a Hebrew poetic form known as merismus is described. With this form Hebrew poets could express a broad concept by a pair of narrower adjectives. For example "young and aged" equals everybody (Job 29:8) and "sea and dry land" equals the universe (Psalm 95:5). In this verse the same form is seen. The use of "night" and "morning" conveys the concept of "all the time."

verses 38-47 Alma gives counsel to his son Helaman regarding the Liahona, the device provided to Lehi and his party as they traveled in the wilderness. Some interesting insight on how the expanded family of Lehi used the Liahona is obtained from these verses. We have previously discussed this concept in the commentary for 1 Nephi 16:10. For the reader's convenience, we will reproduce much of that commentary: The Liahona was a gift of God, made by his very hand (2 Nephi 5:12), that worked solely by the power of God. It functioned only in response to the faith and diligence of those who followed it. Alma teaches that the Liahona seemed a "temporal" thing of "small means," and accordingly there was a constant tendency for Lehi's people to take it for granted, in fact, ignore it. Apparently this device did not seem entirely new and unfamiliar to Lehi's party, rather it seemed unremarkable and ordinary. Dr. Hugh Nibley has pointed out why this might have been so. He reported evidence that the tradition in Hebrew culture of divining with arrows is well established. Hebrews believed that for many types of decisions, including finding their way through uncharted territory, the Lord's influence would intervene if they used arrows in a type of divining ritual ("The Liahona's Cousin," a FARMS reprint). Evidently, then, to Lehi's group the Liahona seemed just another device with which they could seek the Lord's will through the use of arrows-just another "pair of dice," as it were. Apparently they often did not take it seriously and were careless in giving heed to its advice. Alma will teach his son Helaman that this carelessness and disobedience of those in Lehi's party contributed to their having to wander eight years in the wilderness: "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; therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions" (verse 41). Alma will also teach that the Liahona was a type or symbol of Christ (Alma 37:44-45) in that Lehi's party had but to follow its words and directions to be led to the promised land. Similarly, if we follow the words of Christ we will be led to a much better promised land.

It is natural to try to picture the specific appearance of this device. That is not possible, of course, because we only have this cursory description. Apparently the round ball of brass did not have a complete spherical shell and was at least in part hollow since the pointer spindles were "within the ball." There was obviously some type of gap or window in the shell that allowed visualization of the spindles or pointers. A spindle is a slender rod or pin, a headless arrow. On these pointers a special writing would appear from time to time, clarifying and amplifying the message of the pointers. See the speculative illustration, Liahona.

38 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.

verse 38 This unusual device is not given a name in the Book of Mormon until this verse when it is referred to as the Liahona. In previous verses it has been referred to as "the compass," "the ball," the director," or the "round ball of curious workmanship." Though many meanings have been suggested for the term "Liahona," Dr. Nibley's favorite is "God is our guide" ("The Liahona's Cousin," a FARMS reprint).

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.

verse 40 "it did work for them according to their faith in God" Here is a reminder that miracles occur as a result of faith, and they are not given to instill faith. See Miracles in Ye Shall Know of the Doctrine, volume 3, chapter 20.

"if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done" For a discussion of why the Liahona had two spindles instead of just one, see the commentary for 1 Nephi 16:10. Also see the illustration, Spindles of Liahona.

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;

verse 41 Dr. Hugh Nibley favors a re-punctuation of this verse to make its meaning more clear. He would render it, "Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means (albeit it did show unto them marvelous works), they were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence." The meaning seems clear: Though Lehi's people enjoyed daily demonstrations of God's power, the device by which that power operated seemed quite ordinary. Thus, in spite of the "marvelous works" it showed them, they tended to neglect it (Hugh Nibley, "The Liahona's Cousins," a FARMS reprint).

Alma's purpose seems clear here. He is drawing an analogy between Lehi's journey in the wilderness and fallen man's journey through life. In life man is expected to recognize his fallen and unfulfilled state and develop a hunger and thirst for a higher, eternal purpose to life. This higher purpose can only be perceived through diligence, obedience, and faith.

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.

verse 42 Here we learn the interesting fact that the reasons for the prolonged wanderings of Lehi and his family in the wilderness included their lack of faith and lack of obedience.

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.

verse 43 "these things are not without a shadow" This rather awkward phrase may be restated: "These events and happenings have symbolic meaning."

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.

verse 44 "this compass" The Liahona was a temporal "type" or "shadow" of the Savior just as was Moses's fiery serpent previously referred to (1 Nephi 17:41; Numbers 21:4-9). The Liahona and the brass serpent offered the believers temporal sustenance, while the Savior offers to the penitent spiritual respite.

"it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ . . . as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass" This is an interesting verse which might bear some discussion. Is it really "easy" to live the gospel of Jesus Christ? One might argue that the principles and commandments are very straight forward and uncomplicated and can be understood and lived by anyone. If it is so simple, then, why do many falter in their attempts? Clearly it is the influences of the world that appeal to the "natural man" tendency within each of us that pulls us in the wrong direction. When the influence of the Spirit of God is abiding firmly within our hearts, then living the gospel and avoiding sin is "easy." But here is another pitfall. Maintaining the influence of the Spirit is hardly a passive process. It is in fact a most demanding and rigorous process that requires a pro-active and constant striving and reaching and deliberate obeying.

"straight course to eternal bliss" "straight course to the promised land" Here the word straight must be understood in the sense of "direct," much like the English sentence "She went straight to the boss." These two uses of the word straight (as opposed to strait) in this verse are appropriate as discussed in the supplemental article, Strait and Straight in the Book of Mormon.

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.

verse 45 "is there not a type in this thing?" Alma asks Helaman whether or not Helaman sees a metaphor or analogy in the story of the Liahona applicable universally to all of us.

"beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise" A vale is a tract of low ground between hills; a valley. This "vale of sorrow" is this earth life. The "far better land of promise" is eternal life in God's presence. The expression "land of promise" actually has a dual meaning. First, it is a physical place to live where God blesses his children temporally. Second, it has spiritual significance in the fact that God blesses his children with experiences which lead them back to eternal life. The concept of the promised land on earth is therefore symbolic for a "far better land of promise"-heaven.

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.

47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.

verse 47 "look to God and live" Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet aptly wrote: "Just as Peter needed to keep his eyes on the Son of God in order to walk on the surface of the water of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:22- 32); just as Peter summoned the lame man at the Gate Beautiful with the words, 'Look on us' (Acts 3:4); even so does our Master invite us to look to him, to fix our gaze and fasten our hearts and souls upon him. Dedicated discipleship entails looking straight ahead to our Lord and Savior, giving little or no heed to the divergent and demanding voices of the world. Jesus pleads: 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not' (D&C 6:36). As we look to him and to him only we come to enjoy that abundant life which he brought (see John 10:10)" (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, volume 3, 283).