1 Nephi 16:27 - 16:31
1 Nephi 16:27 And it came to pass that when my father beheld the things which were written upon the ball, he did fear and tremble exceedingly, and also my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and our wives.
What was written on the ball shook up most of the group. Mostly the older brothers, Ishmael's sons and their wives. One can see that it was basically Laman, Lemuel, Ishmael's sons and their family against the others. It must have been hard on journey but it was compounded by the constant complaining and rebellion by these people. Anyway whatever was written on the ball made these dissenters think about their actions and what were the consequences if they continued.
1 Nephi 16:28 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.
Nephi notices that pointers in the ball work according to the faith of those in the group. I thought he would have know this all along, but this fact now comes to him. I’m assuming that they might have been doing their own thinking about where to hunt and did not pay any attention to the ball.
It is like us much of the time. We think we can do it and only need to call upon God when we are in trouble. The Lord wants us to look to him in everything. Now that might seem to make us little robots, but in fact He knows where to pitfalls are and can lead us around them as they are everywhere and most of the time unseen.
It is not a weakness to look to the Lord in all things. He knows the beginning from the end. All possible consequences from all possible actions. There are a myriad of ways to travel in this life and it is comforting to know that if we look to him, we will avoid many of the ‘slings and arrows of misfortune’ as brother Hamlet tells us.
1 Nephi 16:29 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.
Nephi tells us a bit more about the ball or Liahona as it is named by Alma (Alma 37:38). It was easy to read. It contained information and direction on how the Lord works with his people. It was easy to comprehend what was being taught. It apparently worked by faith. If one look to it for direction it was written on the Liahona.
Now Nephi tells us that by this means, that is, by the instructions on this ball, this great enterprise of taking this branch of the House of Israel to American would come to pass. The writing on a small object would cause the appearance of a great civilization like the Nephites to come into being with all it literature and history. The effects of the records that would be kept would influence peoples in future times. That influence of the history of Nephi’s descendants would be world wide. But it all started with instructions written on this ball.
1 Nephi 16:30 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did go forth up into the top of the mountain, according to the directions which were given upon the ball.
There is instruction on the ball that tells Nephi to go to a particular mountain where he will find game. It is on the top of a mountain. Wonder why on the top of a mountain and not on the sides or even on bottom land around oasis? Illusions of the Temple for sure.
1 Nephi 16:31 And it came to pass that I did slay wild beasts, insomuch that I did obtain food for our families.
Nephi is successful on this hunting trip and the camp now has food.
