6. This was a curious instrument called by the Nephites _Liahona_. It was found by the prophet Lehi at the door of his tent one morning, in the wilderness, not long after the departure of his colony from Jerusalem. It was a round ball of fine brass with two spindles in it, one of which indicated the course to be traveled by the colony. But the instrument worked according to the faith and diligence with which the colony gave heed to it. From time to time also there appeared upon it written instructions or reproofs according as the colony required the one or the other. 7. _History of the Church,_ vol. I, p. 53, and also Doc. and Cov. Sec. 17. 8. _Joseph Smith the Prophet_, by Lucy Smith, ch. 31. 9. Ibid. 10. _Joseph Smith the Prophet_, by Lucy Smith, ch. 31. 11. _Joseph Smith the Prophet_, by Lucy Smith, ch. 31. 12. _History of the Church,_ vol. I, pp. 54, 55. 13. Statement by Oliver Cowdery, _Deseret News_ of 13th April, 1859. 14. Letters of Edward Stevenson to _Millennial Star_, vol. 48, pp. 367-389. 15. _Millennial Star_, vol. 40, nos. 49, 50, report of Pratt and Smith, is signed by them and bears date of Sept. 17, 1878. CHAPTER XVI. DIRECT EXTERNAL EVIDENCES--THE THREE WITNESSES--SUBSEQUENT LIFE AND TESTIMONIES. OLIVER COWDERY. The Witnesses themselves always adhered to the truth of their testimony. They never denied what they in their now celebrated testimony so solemnly affirmed. It was reported at different times during their life time that they had denied their testimony, and such statements are to be found in the earlier editions of such standard works as the _American Encyclopedia_ and in the _Encyclopedia Britannica_. It is evident that the reports about Oliver Cowdery denying his testimony obtained some credence even among the Saints at Nauvoo; for in the _Times and Seasons_, published by the Church at Nauvoo, one J. H. Johnson, in some verses written by him maintaining the fact that the truth stands fast though men may be untrue to it, says: --Or prove that Christ was not the Lord Because that Peter cursed and swore, Or Book of Mormon not his word, Because denied by Oliver. [1]