The Liahona was more than a compass. It was a revelatory instrument that provided understanding concerning spiritual matters, with writings that changed from time to time according to the faith and diligence given it. It was, in effect, a dynamic scripture source for the faithful. A small ball with great outcomes, the Liahona compares with our scriptures—small enough to hold in our hands but capable of producing an enormous influence in our lives. The language about small means leading to great outcomes also anticipates what Alma was to teach his son Helaman about the value of the scriptures:
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.
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.
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” (Alma 37:6–8).
Alma then draws a comparison with the Liahona: “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” (Alma 37:41).