Following a night in which the Lord spoke to him and
commanded him to journey into the wilderness, the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi
found a "round ball of curious workmanship" outside his tent (1 Ne.
16:9-10). This ball, made of fine brass, contained two spindles, one of which
pointed the way Lehi and his party should travel in the wilderness by the
borders of the Red Sea. The ball worked according to the faith and righteous
diligence of Lehi and his followers. Writings appeared on its surface which
changed from time to time and gave the people "understanding concerning
the ways of the Lord" (1 Ne. 16:26-30; 18:12, 21). It was variously
referred to as a "ball or compass" (2 Ne. 5:12), a "director"
(Mosiah 1:16), or a "Liahona" (Alma 37:38).
Smith and Sjodahl have written: "When Lehi perceived
the wonderful qualities of this instrument, he exclaimed, in ecstasy, Liahona!
and that became its name.… Liahona is a Hebrew word with, possibly, a Nephite
termination, added later. L means [p.362] 'to'; Jah is an abbriviated form of
the sacred name, 'Jehovah,' and on means 'light.' The meaning, then, is, 'To
Jehovah is light'; that is, 'God has light; light comes from God,' for He had
answered his prayers for light and guidance." (SS, 78.)
David Whitmer testified that he-along with Oliver Cowdery,
Martin Harris, and Joseph Smith -saw this instrument as promised by the Lord
(LJFS, 242; D&C 17:1).
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