The Sure Compass

"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."(Alma 37: 46).  I found this counsel of Alma to his son Helaman interesting.  Life is difficult right?  What does Alma know that we need to know?

 

Alma was speaking to his son about the experience of their ancestors.  They were led by God out of Jerusalem to the "promised land" prior to the city falling into Babylonian captivity.  While journeying through the wilderness, the Lord gave them a special compass, or Liahona, to show them the way they should travel.  "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."(Alma 37: 40).  All they had to do was trust in God and look at the compass and follow the spindles.  They weren't always faithful.  When they weren't faithful, the compass didn't work.  "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: 42).  All they had to do was be faithful and God led them.  They were led to a great promised land!

So too it is with us.  Alma taught his son in verse 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."  He compares the compass with the scriptures.  They had to follow the compass, it showed them the way to a promised land.  We must follow the scriptures, which show us to a great promised land on high.  They had to be faithful and diligent to the counsel and God.  We too must be faithful and diligent to the counsel of God.  The scriptures are special tools given to us from God to help us through our journey through life.  As we heed them faithfully, we will be blessed.  When we are not faithful, we will struggle.  I testify that the scriptures are a great blessing, we will find a better route as we read and follow their counsel.  As Alma taught his son in verse 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."  All we have to do is read and follow!


Images found at:
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http://www.sugardoodle.net/sdclipart/?p=1671
http://www.sugardoodle.net/sdclipart/?s=alma&search=Search