“The Liahona and the Broken Bow,” Book of Mormon Stories (2023)
The Liahona and the Broken Bow
Seeking the Lord’s help
The families of Lehi and Ishmael traveled in the wilderness for many years. The Lord led them through the better parts of the land. They had to hunt and collect food along the way. It was a hard journey.
The Lord promised to lead the families to a good land if they kept the commandments. They did not know how to find the land, but He would guide them.
One morning, Lehi was surprised to find a brass ball outside of his tent. The ball was called the Liahona. Inside the Liahona, an arrow pointed the way the group needed to travel. Sometimes they found messages from the Lord written on the Liahona. This was how the Lord guided them.
1 Nephi 16:10, 16, 26–29; Alma 37:38
One day while Nephi was hunting, his steel bow broke. The families could not get food without it. Nephi’s brothers were angry with him and the Lord.
They were all very tired and hungry. Some of them were sad and complained. They were scared that they would starve. Even Lehi complained to the Lord.
Nephi made a new bow and an arrow out of wood. He had faith that the Lord would help him find food.
Nephi asked Lehi where to go to hunt. Lehi was sorry that he had complained. He repented and asked the Lord for help. The Lord told Lehi to look at the Liahona. A message was written on it. The families learned that the Liahona only worked when they had faith in the Lord and obeyed the commandments.
The Lord sometimes changed the message on the Liahona to help them during their travels. The Liahona helped Nephi know where to hunt. He brought back food to eat, and they were all happy. They repented and thanked the Lord.