My purpose in writing this book has been to seek new light and knowledge on the Liahona, a venerated Nephite instrument mentioned in the Book of Mormon (Alma 37:38). The Liahona was also described as a “compass,” a “ball,” and a “director.” I have approached my examination of the Liahona with five main questions: (1) Can the Book of Mormon narrative and other scriptures support the idea that the Liahona contained a magnetic spindle? (2) If so, was magnetism or the principle of a magnetic compass known in ancient times? (3) Could Nephi and Lehi have been in the right place geographically and at the right time chronologically to have become acquainted with the principle of a magnetic compass? (4) if so, could this knowledge have become "lost"? and (5) if we assume that the term compass (which Joseph used in his Book of Mormon translation to describe the Liahona) came form Joseph’s own cultural environment, would the meaning of compass have implied a magnetic compass?

In attempting to answer these questions, I hope that I will provide the reader with some interesting perspectives on the way to possibly restoring “lost” history as it concerns the Liahona.