In the journey of Lehi's company during the eight years that elapsed between the time when it left Jerusalem until it reached Irreantum, its members spent much of that period needlessly in delays caused by transgressions. The compass, or Liahona, simply would not work, nor would it show those who depended upon its instructions, which way to go in their further travels. Delay after delay, because of Laman's and Lemuel's truculence, lengthened out the time of the already arduous trek across the Arabian Desert. Time and time once more, they set their own feelings above God's commands. Again and again, they kindled their wrath against their righteous father and brother because of their righteousness. Their actions hindered the progress of the little company both spiritually and temporally. But, in spite of it all, the Lord preserved them, showing His loving-kindness and watchful care, even to those who disobeyed Him, providing them with food and water when needed, but always protecting those who served Him.
Alma saw a resemblance in following the Lord, thereby doing His will, to the Compass or Director which showed unto Lehi the way to go in his exodus from Jerusalem. He impressed upon Helaman the idea that temporal blessings came to their fathers when they yielded obedience to the directions upon the ball. They guided Lehi's colony to the Promised Land, and that by the shortest route. Even so, spiritual blessings may be had, he solemnly promised Helaman, if obedience were given to the Lord's commands. "For," he said, "as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were tamporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual."
“These Things Are Not Without a Shadow”
In the journey of Lehi's company during the eight years that elapsed between the time when it left Jerusalem until it reached Irreantum, its members spent much of that period needlessly in delays caused by transgressions. The compass, or Liahona, simply would not work, nor would it show those who depended upon its instructions, which way to go in their further travels. Delay after delay, because of Laman's and Lemuel's truculence, lengthened out the time of the already arduous trek across the Arabian Desert. Time and time once more, they set their own feelings above God's commands. Again and again, they kindled their wrath against their righteous father and brother because of their righteousness. Their actions hindered the progress of the little company both spiritually and temporally. But, in spite of it all, the Lord preserved them, showing His loving-kindness and watchful care, even to those who disobeyed Him, providing them with food and water when needed, but always protecting those who served Him.
Alma saw a resemblance in following the Lord, thereby doing His will, to the Compass or Director which showed unto Lehi the way to go in his exodus from Jerusalem. He impressed upon Helaman the idea that temporal blessings came to their fathers when they yielded obedience to the directions upon the ball. They guided Lehi's colony to the Promised Land, and that by the shortest route. Even so, spiritual blessings may be had, he solemnly promised Helaman, if obedience were given to the Lord's commands. "For," he said, "as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were tamporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual."