In crossing the wilderness and the ocean to the promised land, Lehi's party had to deal with the intermittent rebellion of eldest sons Laman and Lemuel, manifest, among other ways, in a desire to return to Jerusalem, from whence Lehi's family had been commanded to flee before its pending destruction. (See 1 Nephi 7:7.)

Their desire was reminiscent of the attitude of the Israelites who, suffering the vicissitudes of their exodus, murmured against Moses in the wilderness, saying it would have been better for them had they remained under Egyptian bondage and expressing the intent to return. (See Numbers 14:2-4.)

Nephi must have been well aware of the parallel between the rebellion of Laman and Lemuel and that of the Israelites under Moses. In chastening his elder brothers, he gave this commentary regarding ancient Israel:

"And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts and blinded their minds and reviled against Moses and against the true and living God" ( 1 Nephi 17:30).

Nephi went on to warn, pointedly, that though the Lord "esteemeth all flesh in one," He favors the righteous, those who will "have him to be their God." (See verses 35 and 40.)

How like Laman, Lemuel and the rebellious Israelites is the natural man who, once delivered from the bondage and spiritual peril of sin, is inclined to turn back to old ways and habits. With graphic imagery, the scriptures compare this propensity to a "dog (that) is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire" (2 Peter 2:22).

At this season, just a few weeks into the new year, the general habit of breaking resolutions so recently made has become proverbial. In truth, the task of putting off the "natural man" (see 1 Corinthians 2:14; Mosiah 3:19), sanctifying oneself and becoming a "new creature" (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) is hard work indeed. In pursuing it, we might at times grow weary, discouraged, frustrated, even lonely. At times of greatest stress on our journey toward immortality and exaltation, how tempting and easy it seems to backslide. In such moments, the comfort and familiarity of former iniquities and spiritual idleness can seem as alluring as did the fleshpots of Egypt to the Israelites (see Exodus 16:13) or the wealth and prestige of Jerusalem to Laman and Lemuel in the days before the destruction. Thus weakened we, too, might be blinded to the treachery of what ultimately will bring our bondage and destruction.

At such times, we can draw strength and fortitude from another lesson from the journey of Lehi's family. It is the typology of the Liahona, the marvelous "ball of curious workmanship," that not only pointed the way they should go in the wilderness but contained writings of divine counsel that were changed as needed.

Of this miraculous instrument, Nephi wrote that it functioned according to the "faith, diligence and heed" with which they responded to it. "And thus we see that by small means (such as faith, diligence and heed) the Lord can bring about great things (such as the miraculous nature of the Liahona and the blessings of guidance it brought to them)" (1 Nephi 16:29).

And thus we today can see a valuable object lesson in the Liahona as we compare it to the Holy Spirit, which can be a constant guide in our lives according to the faith, diligence and heed we give it. The Spirit functions in combination with various instruments which can be to us as the Liahona was to Lehi's party. These include earnest prayer, by which we seek to know the Lord's mind and will as it pertains to us; the scriptures, which are described as "a lamp unto our feet" (Psalm 119:105) and truly can be a means of personal revelation to us if we are humble and receptive; a patriarchal blessing, which is given by revelation and which can uncover new vistas for the individual who ponders it at various stages of life; and inspired counsel from God's servants, the latter-day prophets, which is more accessible today than ever before

"Does the journey seem long, the path rugged and steep?" Elder Joseph Fielding Smith asked in one of our hymns (No. 127). "Are there briars and thorns on the way? Do sharp stones cut your feet As you struggle to rise To new heights through the heat of the day?"

We echo him in this assurance: "Let your heart be not faint Now the journey's begun; There is One who still beckons to you. So look upward in joy And take hold of his hand; He will lead you to heights that are new — A land holy and pure, Where all trouble doth end, And your life shall be free from all sin, Where no tears shall be shed, For no sorrows remain. Take his hand and with him enter in."