The Ball or Director
The Nephites Called it a Liahona
Being Interpreted, a Compass
"...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) 600- 592 B.C.
"...I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass...." (Alma 37:38) About 73 B.C.
"...we did follow the directions of the ball..." (1 Nephi 16:16) 600-592 B.C.
"...Look upon the ball, and behold the things which are written...directions ...were given upon the ball." (1 Nephi 16:26-30) 600 - 592 B.C.
----------------------
<< The prophet Lehi Finding the Liahona
This round ball of curious workmanship, call the Liahona was of great importance to the family of Lehi. It was passed down from Prophet to Prophet along with the brass plates, gold plates and other records and items. Following the directions and writings upon the 'ball' was a life or death matter. I find it very interesting that in pre-Columbus codex’s there are many drawings of a 'round ball' that seems to also be of great importance.
<< The prophet Lehi and his family crossing the ocean being guided by the Liahona arriving in the promise land.
The prophet Lehi and his family traveled across the ocean bring the Liahona the sword of Laban and the plates of Brass.
"...the plates of brass; and also the ball..." (2 Nephi 5:12) 588-570 B.C.
<< Pre-Columbus, drawing of a man who is traveling, the round Ball, plates all upon water. Codex Fejérváry-Mayer
<< Round Ball and Plates, Pre-Columbus, Codex Fejérváry-Mayer,p.13
----------------------
"These tribes came from the other part of the sea, from the East, from Pa-Tulan, Pa-Civan. They came from where the sun rises, descendants of Israel, of the same language and the same [Hebrew] customs…When they rose from Pa-Tulán, Pa-Civán, the first leader was Balam-Qitse, by unanimous vote, and then the great father Nacxit, [God], gave them a present called Girón-Gagal, [the Liahona]." (Title of the Lords of Totonicapán, Goetz 1953, 170)
----------------------
<< A tapestry hanging in the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City
This codex that dates back to ancient times. It shows a group of people coming out of the ocean led by a man who is carrying a round object in front of his face. The codice shows their migration from town to town, the man always carrying the round object in front. The Quiche name for the object is Giron-Gagal which means "compass" or "director". Their enemies believed that who ever had this object could not be defeated in battle, because they had the blessing of the Gods. (The Title of the Lords of Totonicapan, 170) A photograph of this tapestry can be seen in "The Lives and Travels of Mormon and Moroni" by Ainsworth, page 87.
...
...
...
...
under construction