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Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 5
fastened at the side of the chariot, On the march, the bow was probably carried in a leather
covering, which, however, enclosed perhaps only the middle portion of the bow ( cf Hab, 3: 9).
THE MIRACLE BALL GIVES HELP, VER, 31-41
1 Ne 5:32 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord said unto him, Look upon the ball, and behold
the things which are written!
5:32 Before moving out to get food, Nephi asked his father where to go. Lehi was humbled after
Nephi "did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul" (5:30). When Lehi looked "he did
fear and tremble exceedingly; and also my brethren, and the sons of Ishmael, and our wives"
(5:33).
It will be noted that Nephi was showing remarkable respect for his father, who had been
complaining with the rest (v. 20). Nephi never forgot the fifth commandment of the Decalogue
that says, "Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land."
From this point onward the Lord often gave directions through this brass ball of curious
workmanship (5:11). Nephi refers to it as a compass (II N. 4:17) since it pointed the direction they
were to travel "according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it" (5:35). Mosiah refers to
it as a “director" (Mos. 1:24). Alma records that “our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being
interpreted, a compass" (17:71).
We are not told what was written on the ball at this time, but we learn that all the company saw it,
and it struck fear into their hearts. As a result of the writing, Nephi went to the "top of the
mountain" and obtained food. This brought joy to the group, and they humbled themselves.
ISHMAEL DIES; REBELLION THREATENS, VER. 42-54
1 Ne 5:45 And it came to pass that the daughters of Ishmael did mourn exceedingly, because of the loss
of their father, and because of their afflictions in the wilderness;
5:45 Perhaps it was because the women did not usually complain that Nephi mentions them first
and not that their voices were the first raised against Lehi. The two sons of Ishmael, as also Lehi's
two older sons, raised the old cry of wanting to return to Jerusalem. The men included Nephi with
his father in their complaints.
How soon men forget God's mercy and goodness! Basically their problem was that they lacked
faith in divine directions and promises.
Mourning was an elaborate ceremony among the Jews and other Orientals. When Job heard of his
misfortunes he "rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and
worshipped" (Job 1:20). His friends, who by appointment, came to mourn with him, "lifted up
their voice and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads
toward heaven. So they sat down, with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights” (Job
2:12, 13). The mourning for Jacob's death in Egypt lasted seventy days (Gen. 50:3, 10). The
Israelites wept for Moses thirty days (Deut. 34:8). Friends were expected to "weep with them that
weep" (Rom. 12:15), but frequently mourners were hired to weep ...The mourning for Ishmael
must have been an elaborate function according to the circumstances, since they "did mourn
exceedingly."