One of my most favorite passages in the Book of Mormon is where Alma is giving counsel to his son Helaman. Alma talks about the compass that was used in the first of the Book of Mormon and relates it to how his son and also ourselves use our faith, scriptures, and the commandments to keep us on the right path. They are our own personal guides! He also mentions that the way has been prepared for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father. This section is from the book of Alma in chapter 37, from verses 38 until 47.
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.
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.
(Like all things, we first have to put our faith in God for things to work. Sometimes we seem to let that slide..)
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;
(We are all just human, so at times we forget all of the many great miracles and blessings in our lives.)
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.
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.
( A foreshadow for Helaman and us!)
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.
( We need to feast upon the words of Christ and do all we can to live by His teachings! And if we do we can have eternal happiness.)
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.
( It does get tough here on earth at times, sometimes it just seems like we will never get through it. But things always come to pass when we are doing what the Lord would have us do!)
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.
( The "cool" or "easy" way is not always the best way to go..)
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.
I personally know that the way has been prepared for each and every one of us by our loving Heavenly Father. He has given us tools so that we may know what we need to do in order to return to live with Him. Those tools are the scriptures, prayer, church magazines, Prophets and Apostles, and many other things! I know that as we follow the guidance of those tools we will be blessed! Our lives will be more peaceful and happy.
"Our love for our Father in Heaven and the Lord Jesus Christ needs to be reflected in our daily choices and actions. They have promised peace, joy, and happiness to those who keep Their commandments."
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