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For several years we enjoyed a look at classic literary works with Marilyn Green Faulkner in her column “Back to the Best Books.” We are happy to welcome Marilyn back to Meridian, and this time she brings her unique approach to the Book of Mormon. If you’ve ever had trouble connecting the scriptures to your everyday dilemmas, Marilyn has written a study guide just for you.
Marilyn’s new book, The User-friendly Book of Mormon: Timeless Truths for Today’s Challenges, will be available March 8, 2016 from Cedar Fort Publishing, but excerpts will be appearing exclusively in Meridian starting this week. For more lesson helps and excerpts from the book, go to the website, www.userfriendlybookofmormon.com.
(1 Nephi 16)
One day when Lehi looked out of the tent door, there was something new.
He “arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness.” (1 Nephi 16:10)
But this wasn’t just a compass; it was a unique device that only worked under certain conditions: “the pointers which were in the ball… did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them. 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” (1 Nephi 16:28-29). Evan in this world of smart phones and talking watches the Liahona was a marvel.
How Do I Get One of These?
If thousands of people line up to get the latest technological device, imagine what a stir it would make if we could get our hands on a Liahona. Well, it turns out that maybe we can. We have in the Liahona a symbolic source of divine guidance that is close at hand yet requires significant spiritual preparation in order to utilize it.
What in our lives today is like the Liahona? Since it acted as a guide for Lehi and his family, and since it actually contained words from a divine source, the Liahona could symbolize the scriptures. Or, because it was something special and outside of the day-to-day routine, and because it was a little hard to understand but offered words of guidance, it might symbolize the temple. Its needles could represent the words of the living Prophets, since they responded to the everyday needs of the people. In any case, the Liahona represents the guiding spirit of God in the lives of the saints.
You Don’t Even Have to Wait in Line
The Liahona is right there, waiting at the door of your tent (or on your nightstand.) Are you stepping over it every morning rather than taking time to consult it? Taking a few minutes to read the scriptures or conference talks, or to attend a temple session often go unnoticed by others. But these quiet efforts to get in touch with God’s guidance make a significant difference in our lives. They help us to align our lives with the spiritual promptings of the Holy Ghost and with the celestial course laid before us.
Just Slightly Off Course Can be Deadly
Dieter Uchtdorf compares being in tune with spiritual guidance to the navigation of a great airliner. He tells the true story of a large passenger jet with 257 people aboard that flew from New Zealand to Antarctica in 1979. Unbeknownst to the pilots, the flight coordinates had been modified just two degrees, meaning that the plane was 28 miles east of where the pilots assumed it to be. This resulted in the airplane flying into the side of a 12,000 foot volcano, killing everyone on board. Elder Uchtdorf concludes:
“Through years of serving the Lord and in countless interviews, I have learned that the difference between happiness and misery in individuals, in marriages, and families often comes down to an error of only a few degrees. These commandments and covenants of God are like navigational instructions from celestial heights and will lead us safely to our eternal destination. It is one of beauty and glory beyond understanding. It is worth the effort. It is worth making decisive corrections now and then staying on course.”1
The commandments and covenants are the needles on the ball that keep us on a straight course, as the Liahona did the family of Lehi. And thus we see, that “by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” (1 Ne 16:29) Let’s make sure that in our hurry to get on with our day, we aren’t tripping over the very devices that can make our path homeward safe and sure.
Notes
1 Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Matter of a Few Degrees.” ttps://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/04/a-matter-of-a-few-degrees?lang=eng
