“We Have Wandered Much in the Wilderness”

Alan C. Miner

Terrence Szink notes that Lehi's family did not always use the Liahona to its full potential; some five hundred years later, while delivering this spiritual compass to his son, Alma said:

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; therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. (Alma 37:41-42)

This disobedience contributed to the group's eight years of wandering in the wilderness. (1 Nephi 17:4) Since the relationship between Lehi's party, the Liahona, and the Lord was one of faith and trust, the Liahona served well as a Christological symbol. Alma compared it to the words of Christ:

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. 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. (Alma 37:44-45)

[Terrence L. Szink, "To a Land of Promise," in Studies in Scripture: Book of Mormon, Part 1, p. 62]

Step by Step Through the Book of Mormon: A Cultural Commentary

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