“Our Fathers Called It Liahona Which Is Being Interpreted a Compass”

Brant Gardner

This is the first time the director’s name is given. It is not in Nephi’s record, so it must appear either in the book of Lehi or Nephi’s large plates. (See commentary accompanying 1 Nephi 16:10.)

Reference: Why does Alma mention the Liahona after such a long time in which it apparently formed no part of the record and so long after it ceased to be operational? I hypothesize that, because Nephi characterized the Liahona as “small means” and Alma used the same phrase earlier in his charge to Helaman, it was present in his mind. He will highlight it again in verse 41.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

References