Compasses

Here is a regular compass. It points to Magnetic North--near the North Pole (here is your tie-in to the theme). You have to learn how to use this to have it be useful. (This is a plug for some of the Cub Scout activities and awards.) If you put a magnet near it, the compass will point towards the magnet instead of towards North.

Here is a GPS receiver. It works by receiving radio transmissions from satellites then doing some calculations to figure out where you are and which way you are heading. It can also help you get to where you want to go, if you know exactly where that is (the latitude, longitude, and altitude). It doesn't work if your batteries run out, if you are in a place where the radio transmissions can't reach, etc.

There is another compass that we learn about in the Book of Mormon--the Liahona. It was given to Lehi to help him lead his people to the Promised Land--America. Alma the Younger explained to his son, Helaman, how the Liahona worked (Alma 37:38-42).

38 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 ^aLiahona, 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 ^afaith 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 ^asmall means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were ^bslothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;

42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did ^anot travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

He then explained how apply the idea of a compass pointing towards CHRIST to help us get back to Heaven (Alma 37:43-47)

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a ^ashadow; 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 ^aword 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 ^atype 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 ^aslothful because of the ^beasiness of the ^cway; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would ^dlook they might ^elive; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

47 And now, my son, see that ye take ^acare of these sacred things, yea, see that ye ^blook to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.

Let us "...look to God and live."