Scriptures are hyperlinked to Scriptures at ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Resource quotes have been highlighted in blue and are noted at the end of the blog
A questions was asked this week as I prepared for this post. "What do I find in this lesson that can help me become a better teacher?" At the moment I read the question it struck me, what do I find to make me better? Am I properly teaching my family? Am I teaching myself? Am I putting forth all I can to make my post informative, creative, and most importantly a place to share the gospel in the right way with the right information? For those few moments, as I read, it really made me look at what I post and why I post, and how does it improve my relationship with Christ. Its something that I will consider further each week and will strive to improve and grow.
I ask you now to consider the same question. The lesson this week covers Abinadi’s example of gospel teaching. What can you find in Mosiah 11–17 that can help you become a better teacher for yourself, for your family, for your friends or even strangers? For now is surely the time that we all need to be the best teachers we can be in our homes and lives, for the gathering of Israel, for the world.
History and Background
Because King Noah’s pride and riotous living led many of his people into wickedness, the Lord sent the prophet Abinadi to warn Noah and his people. Abinadi warned them that they would be placed under bondage if they did not repent. The people chose not to heed the warnings, and King Noah ordered that Abinadi be cast into prison.
During the reign of King Noah, the prophet Abinadi warned the people to repent. He also prophesied of pending destruction for turning from God. Abinadi’s teachings also demonstrated the Savior’s divinity, His unity with the Father, and the great sacrifice the Savior would make in the Atonement process.
When the priests of King Noah questioned Abinadi, the prophet rebuked them for not living or teaching the commandments. God protected Abinadi and gave him power to finish his message to King Noah and his priests. Quoting Isaiah, Abinadi testified of all people’s need to rely on Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Abinadi’s martyrdom exhibits his great courage. Abinadi’s testimony led to the conversion of Alma but cost Abinadi his life.
Mosiah 12–13. Abinadi calls King Noah and his priests to repentance. He exhorts them to keep the commandments. He teaches them that the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses are types, or symbols, of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 17. Alma, one of Noah’s priests, repents and records the words of Abinadi. Abinadi seals his testimony of the Savior with his life.
Part 1: Mosiah 11–13; 17 We can stand for truth, even when we stand alone
Although it is unlikely that we will ever be threatened with death for our testimonies, we may and I know I personally do face opposition for my beliefs as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a difficult mission at times, to be a member of the church and keep the commandment to share the gospel, and fulfill difficult missions or callings.
There are many scriptural accounts of the Lord commanding people to fulfill difficult missions:
Noah preaching to the people
Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt
Lehi warning the people in Jerusalem
Esther going before King Ahasuerus
Samuel preaching in Zarahemla
Joseph Smith fulfilling his mission as the Prophet of the Restoration
Why were these missions difficult? Why do you think these people were willing to fulfill their missions despite the difficult circumstances?
Abinadi preaching to King Noah is one of those examples, in fact, like others, he gave his life in order to complete his mission. Lets take a look at the reasons why Abinadi was willing to give his life in order to preach to the people. Perhaps in the events of these sections we can find added courage to stand for the truth.
Who became king after Zeniff? Mosiah 11:1. Zeniff led a group of people to the land of Nephi, where they were brought into bondage by the Lamanites. Although Zeniff’s overzealousness led him to be deceived by the Lamanites, he was a good man, and he taught his people to put their trust in the Lord. Before Zeniff died, he conferred the kingdom on his son Noah.
What kind of a ruler was Noah? Mosiah 11:1–19 Noah ruled over the Nephites who were in the land of Nephi. King Noah and his people chose to live in wickedness.
2 For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness.
3 And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part of all their grain.
4 And all this did he take to support himself, and his wives and his concubines; and also his priests, and their wives and their concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom.
5 For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts.
6 Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity.
7 Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.
8 And it came to pass that king Noah built many elegant and spacious buildings; and he ornamented them with fine work of wood, and of all manner of precious things, of gold, and of silver, and of iron, and of brass, and of ziff, and of copper;
9 And he also built him a spacious palace, and a throne in the midst thereof, all of which was of fine wood and was ornamented with gold and silver and with precious things.
10 And he also caused that his workmen should work all manner of fine work within the walls of the temple, of fine wood, and of copper, and of brass.
11 And the seats which were set apart for the high priests, which were above all the other seats, he did ornament with pure gold; and he caused a breastwork to be built before them, that they might rest their bodies and their arms upon while they should speak lying and vain words to his people.
12 And it came to pass that he built a tower near the temple; yea, a very high tower, even so high that he could stand upon the top thereof and overlook the land of Shilom, and also the land of Shemlon, which was possessed by the Lamanites; and he could even look over all the land round about.
13 And it came to pass that he caused many buildings to be built in the land Shilom; and he caused a great tower to be built on the hill north of the land Shilom, which had been a resort for the children of Nephi at the time they fled out of the land; and thus he did do with the riches which he obtained by the taxation of his people.
14 And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches, and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his concubines; and so did also his priests spend their time with harlots.
15 And it came to pass that he planted vineyards round about in the land; and he built wine-presses, and made wine in abundance; and therefore he became a wine-bibber, and also his people.
16 And it came to pass that the Lamanites began to come in upon his people, upon small numbers, and to slay them in their fields, and while they were tending their flocks.
17 And king Noah sent guards round about the land to keep them off; but he did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks out of the land; thus the Lamanites began to destroy them, and to exercise their hatred upon them.
18 And it came to pass that king Noah sent his armies against them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil.
19 And now, because of this great victory they were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength, saying that their fifty could stand against thousands of the Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood, and the shedding of the blood of their brethren, and this because of the wickedness of their king and priests.
How did the people and Noah share the responsibility for their sinfulness? Mosiah 11:2, 5–7
5 For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts.
6 Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity.
7 Yea, and they also became idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them.
Why did the Lord call Abinidi to his mission? Though they all chose to live in wickedness, the Lord still loved the people and wanted to help them. The Lord sent the prophet Abinadi to call Noah and his people to repentance Mosiah 11:20.
What warnings did the Lord give through Abinadi? Mosiah 11:20–25.
21 And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.22 And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people.
23 And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God.
24 Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies.
25 And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me.
How did Noah and his people respond to Abinadi’s warnings? Mosiah 11:26–28
26 Now it came to pass that when Abinadi had spoken these words unto them they were wroth with him, and sought to take away his life; but the Lord delivered him out of their hands.27 Now when king Noah had heard of the words which Abinadi had spoken unto the people, he was also wroth; and he said: Who is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him, or who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction?
28 I command you to bring Abinadi hither, that I may slay him, for he has said these things that he might stir up my people to anger one with another, and to raise contentions among my people; therefore I will slay him.
Why were the people angry with Abinadi and not with Noah, who had taxed them and caused them to support him in his iniquity? Mosiah 11:7, 29.
29 Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings.
Why do some people today reject servants of the Lord, like Abinadi, in favor of people like Noah? Why is it important to recognize and follow prophets of God?
“The message of repentance is often not welcomed. …“… When prophets come crying repentance, it ‘throws cold water on the party.’ But in reality the prophetic call should be received with joy. Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life. Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation” (D. Todd Christofferson, “The Divine Gift of Repentance,” Ensign Nov. 2011, 38).
Do you think Abinadi might have been scared? Do you think he ever thought "this is too much its so hard?" President Russell M. Nelson taught: “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world. … There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee” (“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign May 2017, 40–41).
Though he was rejected, how did Abinadi fulfill his mission? Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles highlighted Abinadi’s courage and willingness to obey the Lord: “Abinadi infuriated wicked King Noah with his courageous testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. Eventually this great missionary offered the ultimate sacrifice for his witness and faith but not before his pure testimony touched one believing heart. Alma, one of King Noah’s priests, ‘repented of his sins … , [accepted Jesus as the Christ,] and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinadi’ (Mosiah 18:1). Many were converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ as a direct result of Abinadi’s powerfully borne testimony of the Savior, believed by one soul—Alma” ( Conference Report, Oct. 2004, 43; or Ensign, Nov. 2004, 41)
While serving in the Seventy, Elder Cree-L Kofford discussed Abinadi’s influence and example: “What is there that is so special about Abinadi? Perhaps it was his total obedience as he went, presumably alone, among those whom he must have known would take his life, to deliver the word of the Lord and to cry repentance to the people. Perhaps it is the very fact that we know so little about him, or perhaps it was simply the way with which he faced the adversities which came into his life in such a straightforward, ‘square-to-the world’ way. Whatever the reason, Abinadi was and is special. His life, lived so long ago, still has the power to excite the mind and cause the pulse to pound” (“Abinadi,” in Heroes from the Book of Mormon [1995], 69–70). We know that Abinadi was a man who came from among the people, not from outside their society. He was obviously a righteous man called to warn his own people that if they did not repent, bondage and destruction would follow.
How can we be more firm and steadfast in defending truth? President Thomas S. Monson said: “May we ever be courageous and prepared to stand for what we believe, and if we must stand alone in the process, may we do so courageously, strengthened by the knowledge that in reality we are never alone when we stand with our Father in Heaven” (“Dare to Stand Alone,” Ensign Nov. 2011, 67).
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught: “Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord’ (2 Tim. 1:7–8). I wish that every member of this church would put those words where he might see them every morning as he begins his day. They would give us the courage to speak up, they would give us the faith to try, they would strengthen our conviction of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley [2016], 338)
What do we feel inspired to do because of Abinidi's example?
Two years after Abinadi had originally preached to Noah’s people, he returned to tell them that because they had not repented, they would suffer and be brought into bondage. He also said that they would be destroyed if they did not repent.
20 And it came to pass that one of them said unto him: What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying:
21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;
22 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion;
23 Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem;
24 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God?
25 And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?
26 I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?
28 And they said: We teach the law of Moses.
29 And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?
30 Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God.
31 And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And what know ye concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?
32 And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Moses.
33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:
34 I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
35 Thou shalt have no other God before me.
36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.
37 Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not.
Abinadi was brought before King Noah and his priests. The priests questioned him, trying to confuse him into saying something they could use against him. After Abinadi withstood the priests’ efforts to “cross him,” one of the priests asked him a question about a scripture passage
26 I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?
What did Abinadi reveal was the problem with the priests’ claim that they taught the law of Moses? Mosiah 12:28–37 The priests claimed that salvation came by the law of Moses. However, they did not keep the Ten Commandments, which were part of that law, and they did not teach the people to keep the commandments.
29 And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?
30 Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God.
31 And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And what know ye concerning the law of Moses? Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?
32 And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Moses.
33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:
34 I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
35 Thou shalt have no other God before me.
36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.
37 Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not.
How well do you think Noah and his priests would rate on the 1 to 10 scale of knowing and living the commandments?
How can we keep from falling into the same error?
What does it mean to apply our hearts to understanding? Why is it important to apply our hearts as we study and teach the gospel? D&C 8:2–3.
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.
Why is it important to both understand God’s law and “keep it”? Mosiah 12:29.
29 And again he said unto them: If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?
What can we learn by contrasting the attitudes and practices of Noah’s priests with the approach we should take to our gospel study?
What do you do that helps you apply your heart to understanding and add greater meaning to your gospel learning?
Part 3: Mosiah 13:28–15:11 Salvation comes through Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
To convince a skeptical audience about the coming of the Messiah, Abinadi quoted a moving prophecy from Isaiah Mosiah 14
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground; he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment; and who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no evil, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief; when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied; by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
What are some things we learn about the Savior from the prophecy quoted in Mosiah 14?
The Savior lived meekly and humbly (Mosiah 14:2).
Many people rejected Him (Mosiah 14:3).He carried our griefs and sorrows (Mosiah 14:4).
He took upon Himself the sins of all people (Mosiah 14:5–6, 8, 10–12).
He willingly subjected Himself to persecution and death (Mosiah 14:7–9).
He was without sin (Mosiah 14:9).
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland explained the significance of Isaiah 53 (Mosiah 14) as a witness of the Savior’s role: “Surely the most sublime, the lengthiest and most lyrical declaration of the life, death, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ is that found in the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, quoted in its entirety in the Book of Mormon by Abinadi as he stood in chains before King Noah” (Christ and the New Covenant, 89).
Abinadi said that the Savior “satisfied the demands of justice” Mosiah 15:9
9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
What are the demands of justice? Alma 42:11, 14
11 And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord.
14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.
To help us gain a better understanding, here are the definitions of “Justice” and “Merciful, Mercy” in Guide to the Scriptures:
Justice See also Atone, Atonement; Merciful, Mercy
The unfailing consequence of blessings for righteous thoughts and acts, and punishment for unrepented sin. Justice is an eternal law that requires a penalty each time a law of God is broken (Alma 42:13–24). The sinner must pay the penalty if he does not repent (Mosiah 2:38–39; D&C 19:17). If he does repent, the Savior pays the penalty through the Atonement, invoking mercy (Alma 34:16).
Merciful, Mercy See also Atone, Atonement; Forgive; Grace; Jesus Christ; Justice
The spirit of compassion, tenderness, and forgiveness. Mercy is one of the attributes of God. Jesus Christ offers mercy to us through His atoning sacrifice.
By virtue of the blood I spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for those who believe in my name, D&C 38:4.
They who have kept the covenant shall obtain mercy, D&C 54:6I, the Lord, forgive sins, and am merciful unto those who confess their sins with humble hearts, D&C 61:2.
I, the Lord, show mercy unto all the meek, D&C 97:2.
And who receiveth you as a little child, receiveth my kingdom, for they shall obtain mercy, D&C 99:3.
Mercy shall go before thy face, Moses 7:31.
Elder Dahlin H Oaks taught: “After all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from death or the effects of our individual sins without the grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ” (“Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Mar. 1994, 67)
What did the Savior do to satisfy the demands of justice? Mosiah 15:9; Alma 42:12–13, 15.
9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
How does He extend His mercy to us?
are an essential part of the gospel of Jesus Christ in every generation: “[The] Ten Commandments [were] written by the finger of Jehovah on tablets of stone for the salvation and safety, for the security and happiness of the children of Israel and for all of the generations which were to come after them” (Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 71; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 51).
33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:
34 I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
35 Thou shalt have no other God before me.
36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.
37 Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not.
11 And now I read unto you the remainder of the commandments of God, for I perceive that they are not written in your hearts; I perceive that ye have studied and taught iniquity the most part of your lives.
12 And now, ye remember that I said unto you: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of things which are in heaven above, or which are in the earth beneath, or which are in the water under the earth.
13 And again: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me;
14 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
15 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
16 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
17 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work;
18 But the seventh day, the sabbath of the Lord thy God, thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates;
19 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is; wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
20 Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
21 Thou shalt not kill.
22 Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal.
23 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
24 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.
25 And it came to pass that after Abinadi had made an end of these sayings that he said unto them: Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments?
26 I say unto you, Nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this people.
Why was Abinadi going to teach the rest of the Ten Commandments to the priests? The commandments of God were not written in their hearts.
What do you think it means to have the commandments written in our hearts?
What principle can we learn from the actions of Noah and his priests about what happens when we do not have the commandments of God written in our hearts? If the commandments of God are not written in our hearts, we will not seek to obey them with real intent.
“We need to get the gospel from our heads into our hearts! It is possible for us to merely go through the motions of living the gospel because it is expected or because it is the culture in which we have grown up or because it is a habit. …“We all need to seek to have our hearts and very natures changed so that we no longer have a desire to follow the ways of the world but to please God” (Bonnie L. Oscarson, “Do I Believe?” Ensign May 2016, 88)
Rather than merely going through the motions of living the gospel, what can we do to allow God’s commandments to be written in our hearts? We can choose to faithfully obey the commandments, which will enable the Holy Ghost to write them in our hearts 2 Corinthians 3:3
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
How do we know if the commandments are written in our hearts?
I love God and put Him first in my life (before friends, hobbies, my own desires, and so on).
I avoid worshipping graven images or idols (including entertainers, sports stars, material possessions, and so on)
I speak the Lord’s name with reverence
I keep the Sabbath day holy by recognizing it as the Lord’s day, not mine
I honor others by being obedient and respectful (such as avoiding gossip, arguments, sarcasm, disrespectful comments)
I control my anger and do not act violently toward others
I remain sexually pure. I avoid inappropriate images, language, and actions
I refrain from stealing and cheating
I tell the truth
I avoid coveting (which means to intensely desire something that belongs to someone else)
How have you been blessed as you have sought to write God’s commandments in your heart?
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world. Men changed for Christ will be captained by Christ. … Men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ. … Their will is swallowed up in His will. (See John 5:30.) They do always those things that please the Lord. (See John 8:29.) Not only would they die for the Lord, but more important they want to live for Him” (Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 5–6; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6)
As you ponder the events of Abinadi’s ministry, consider the influence that one righteous man had on future generations. Through his one known convert; Alma, came the next several generations of prophets who prepared the people for the coming of Jesus Christ. Like Abinadi, we too can profoundly affect our family and others we know by testifying of truth and by living righteously.
Resources
Book of Mormon Student Manual
ChurchofJesusChrist.org video library
Ensign
Conference Reports
Christ and the New Covenant
Doctrine and Covenants
Holy Bible King James Version
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church
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