1 Nephi 16

(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)

The Lord will guide you through challenges in your life if you humbly seek and follow His counsel. Even when you are obedient, you will still experience trials. If you do all you can and also seek the Lord's direction, then he will help you through your difficulties.

1-39. Have you ever noticed that when you are in tune with the Spirit it is much easier to deal patiently with things that go wrong in your life? How does The Lord sometimes use adversity to teach important lessons?

1. Why did Nephi's brother feel that he had spoken hard things against them? Why is it sometimes uncomfortable for us to have others correct our work when we know that when our mistakes are shown or pointed out to us, we can learn from it?

2.  Why do the wicked take the truth to be hard?

5. What word or phrase in this verse describes what you should do when a truth cuts you to the very center?

10. How did the Liahona help Lehi's family? What do you have that works as a Liahona or a guide in your life? How do all these gifts give you guidance today? What do you think might happen if you ignore the messages and warnings you are given? 

"Wouldn't you like to have that kind of a ball, each one of you, so that you would always know when you were in error or in the wrong way?… That, my younger brother and, you all have. The Lord gave to every boy, every man, every person, a conscience which tells him every time he starts to go on the wrong path. He is always told if he is listening; but people can, of course, become so used to hearing the messages that they ignore them until finally they do not register anymore." – Spencer W Kimball, GC, October 1976

"The same Lord provided a Liahona to Lehi provides for you and for me today a rare and valuable gift to give direction to our lives, to mark the hazards to our safety, and to chart the way, even safe passage – not to the promised land, but to our heavenly home. The gift to which I refer is known as your patriarchal blessing. Every where the member of the church is entitled to receive such a precious and priceless treasure… your blessing is not to be folded neatly and tucked away. It is not to be framed or published. Rather, it is to be read. It is to be loved. It is to be followed. Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life's dangers… Your patriarchal blessing is to you a personal Liahona to chart your course and guide your way" – Thomas S Monson, GC, October 1986

"The words of Christ can be a personal Liahona for each of us, showing us the way. Let us not be slothful because of the easiness of the way. Let us in faith take the words of Christ into our minds and into our hearts as they are recorded in sacred scripture and as they are uttered by living Prophets, seers, and revelators. Let us with faith and diligence feast upon the words of Christ, for the words of Christ will be our spiritual Liahona telling us all things what we should do." – W Rolfe Kerr, GC, April 2004

"As we strive to align our attitudes and actions with righteousness, then the Holy Ghost becomes for us today what the Liahona was for Lehi and his family in their day. The very factors that caused the Liahona to work for Lehi will likewise invite the Holy Ghost into our lives. And the very factors that caused the Liahona not to work anciently will likewise cause us to withdraw ourselves from the Holy Ghost today." – David A Bednar, GC, April 2006

20. Why is murmuring a common reaction to hardship and hunger? Does complaining help to solve problems? How does Nephi's non-complaining, productive example help you face difficult situations?

23. Why do you think that Nephi asked his father where to go to find food instead of simply asking God himself?

26–29. What was required for the Lord to guide Lehi's family through the Liahona?

29. How does the Liahona show you that by small means the Lord can bring about great things?

39. Why does the Lord chasten you from time to time? How does the Lord expect you to receive his chastening?