Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
1 Nephi Chapter 5
5:209 Only after the rebellious ones had repented and released Nephi, was the power of God
manifested. The first evidence was that this brass ball of curious workmanship, having two
spindles one of which pointed the direction they were to go (5:11, 12), began to function again.
Lehi's descendants had great difficulty in fixing on a name for this instrument which is here called
"compass." This was because it did more than point "the way whither we should go." On one
occasion the Lord said to Lehi, "Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written"
(5:32). King Benjamin called it "the ball or director" (Mos. 1:24). Alma referred to it, saying, "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" (A. 17:71). Nowhere did the Lord speak of it as a
"compass."
Book of Mormon critics called this reference to a compass about 500 B.C. an anachronism, since
the mariner's instrument was not known to the Western world until the twelfth century after Christ.
However, there was no suggestion that the Book of Mormon instrument was magnetic. It worked
according to faith (I N. 5:33). No attempt was made to explain where it came from or how it was
made beyond Alma's simple explanation that it had been "prepared of the Lord." Some Christians
are considered "simple" because the mysteries of life are attributed to God. On the other hand the
skeptics have a ready method of disposing of all miracles by doubt and denial. A modern
philosopher declared that the matter with the world today is that "the ignorant are so positive,
while the intelligent are so full of doubt."
1 Ne 5:210 And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord; and after I had prayed, the winds did cease,
and the storm did cease, and there was a great calm.
5:210 This was the second evidence given of divine power. It must have been very gratifying to
the group of seasick voyagers. The winds did not merely subside. The record says, "There was a
great calm." The transition from tempest to calm was a powerful demonstration which all would
observe.
1 Ne 5:212 And it came to pass that after we had sailed for the space of many days, we did arrive to the
promised land;
5:212 This statement is devoid of specific details. It would be entirely speculative to estimate the
time consumed in the voyage. Neither is the point of landing at all clear.
SEEDS PLANTED AND GAME FOUND, VER. 214-217
1 Ne 5:214 And it came to pass that we did begin to till the earth, and we began to plant seeds, yea, we
did put all our seeds into the earth, which we had brought from the land of Jerusalem.
5:214 The chief difference between primitive men and people of even a limited culture is their
method of obtaining food. The higher the culture the more planting and foresight is given to
providing ahead for food and water supplies. Uncivilized or primitive man depended largely on
game and other natural products. They were hunters, trappers, fishers, and gatherers of wild foods.
As they took on culture they domesticated animals and became herdsmen. They planted grain and
harvested it for later use. They dug wells instead of depending on springs, rivers, and lakes.