1 Nephi 16

Jehovah

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord spake unto my father by night, and commanded him that on the morrow he should take his journey into the wilderness. 1 Nephi 16:9

The Lord who speaks to Lehi and leads his family, as He once led Israel, is Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Liahona

Liahona — the compass or director (Alma 37:38)

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

The ball that points the way through the wilderness is a type of Christ's words, which point a straight course to eternal life. Alma explicitly calls it a shadow of the words of Christ.

• interpreted by Alma 37:38-45 — Alma: 'these things are not without a shadow'; the Liahona typifies the word of Christ pointing to eternal bliss.

Jehovah

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came unto my father; and he was truly chastened because of his murmuring against the Lord, insomuch that he was brought down into the depths of sorrow. 1 Nephi 16:25–26

Jehovah chastens Lehi and then directs him to look to the ball for guidance. The invitation to 'look' echoes Alma's use of the Liahona: look to Christ's word and live.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alluded to by Alma 37:46-47 — Alma: as with the Liahona, 'look to God and live'; the way is easy.

Liahona

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. 1 Nephi 16:28–29

The Liahona only worked by faith, diligence and heed, just as Christ's words guide us only when we exercise faith in Him. Its changing writing gave understanding of the ways of the Lord.

• interpreted by Alma 37:40-41 — It worked according to their faith; when slothful they did not progress.
• alluded to by Alma 37:6-7 — 'By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.'

Jehovah

And it came to pass that the Lord was with us, yea, even the voice of the Lord came and did speak many words unto them, and did chasten them exceedingly; and after they were chastened by the voice of the Lord they did turn away their anger, and did repent of their sins, insomuch that the Lord did bless us again with food, that we did not perish. 1 Nephi 16:39

Jehovah speaks directly to Laman, Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael, chastening them and then blessing the family with food so they would not perish.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)