This is a copy of the talk Dave gave for Ward Conference in February this year.
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you,feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:3)
Thirty three years ago, long before the internet, years before the term “home computer” had any meaning, mail order catalogs were still a popular way of enticing consumers to make purchases. Magazines frequently had a section of ads at the back for a multitude of items specifically tailored to captivate the reader’s imagination and convince him or her to part with their hard-earned cash.
One such ad caught the eye of a 14 year old boy. This was a small picture of a large sheath survival knife. I still remember the heading…”Over 12” long and Razor Sharp”… There was a rather long list of features and associated benefits that could be yours for the astoundingly low price of $5 + S&H. In its handle was a small kit containing items deemed useful in a survival situation. One such item was a small compass. In addition to desiring one of these for myself, I was convinced these would also make great gifts for siblings and purchased four of these innovative marvels.
Following what seemed like an eternity, the greatly anticipated package finally arrived in the mail. However, upon opening it quickly became apparent that what I had purchased was a mere shadow of what I had envisioned. Aside from the obvious inferior quality of the knife, closer inspection of the survival items in its handle revealed that they were also nearly useless. One particular item which made a particular deep impression on me was the compass which proved to be so entirely inconsistent so as to remove all confidence in relying on it for anything. In my heart I knew that if I wanted the quality and consistency I had anticipated, I would need to invest more.
Four years later, I found myself as the chosen leader of a group of six individuals comprised of both boys and girls, dropped off somewhere in the desert west of Utah Lake. We were equipped with food, water, first aid supplies, suitable clothing for any likely contingency, skills and training in survival essentials and, perhaps most importantly, maps and a compass. This time I had wisely invested in more reliable equipment suitable for the circumstances and, comprehending the potential consequences of failure, had given great heed and diligence to the prior training I had undergone.
Our group’s task was to successfully navigate to a known destination 8 miles away using our equipment and acquired knowledge. The first order of business was to figure out where we were on the map. Keep in mind that GPS navigation was not anything readily available to the public, so we were obliged to rely on the map, our powers of observation and the ability to identify landmarks by something called contour lines on a map, and the ability to determine where they were on the map by using the compass to “triangulate.” The terrain was such that simply hiking in a straight line was out of the question. Additionally, we had been given the task of demonstrating our ability to find water along the way using the map and compass to navigate to a source of water and filling a provided container. It therefore became necessary to regularly check our orientation and progress using the map and compass.
As the day played out, our confidence in our equipment and training grew as we began to anticipate landmarks before we came to them. It was a challenging day which left us spent both physically and mentally. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment we felt as we arrived at our destination late in the afternoon where food, comfort, refreshment, and transportation awaited us. Imagine what it did for one’s faith in and gratitude for heed and diligence to proper instruction and reliable equipment.
This experience forever changed how I consider the account of another group of people over 2 ½ thousand years ago who ventured into the wilderness headed for a land of promise. They also were provided with a compass of sorts as well as the means to regularly check their orientation with the commandments of God…
10 And it came to pass that as my father arose in the morning, and went forth to the tent door, to his great astonishment he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass. And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness. (1 Nephi 16:10)
28 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.
29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it.And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.
(1 Nephi 16:28-29)
We are told that this ball or director led them in the more fertile parts of the land in the course of their journey.
The prophet Alma spoke to his son Helaman and expounded on the nature and significance of this "director":
And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it.
39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
40 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.
41 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 37:38)
43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
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.
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.
46 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 37:43-45)
- Our Heavenly Father in His love has provided us a means whereby we can return to His presence.
- We must regularly feast on the words of Christ and check our personal spiritual orientation against them. (Not nibbling from sample plates at the store.)
- There are landmarks or indicators which help us maintain the proper course and which, if we will look, demonstrate the reliability and consistent nature of the words of Christ and the wisdom of heeding them.
o Do we have greater peace, happiness, contentment in our lives?
o Do we feel confident in approaching our Heavenly Father through regular prayer?
o Do we find substantial spiritual nourishment through the daily study of His word?
o Do we have increased strength and capacity to resist evil and keep God’s commandments?
o Are we able to Recognize God’s hand in our lives manifest miraculously in small and simple ways?
o Are the promised spiritual and temporal blessings of obedience evident in our lives?
I bear witness that these things are true. In contrast, I further witness that what the world offers is neither reliable in direction nor consistent in function and will never lead us back to God. However, if we will simply invest our faith, heed, and diligence in the Words of Christ they will with a surety “tell [us] all things what ye should do” and carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.”
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