September 2, 2015
Today I would like to expound just a little on an old prophet whose name is Abinadi. We all know this man when he stood in front of King Noah and testified that King Noah was wicked and taught false doctrines. Abinadi called him and his priests out and didn’t hesitate to call them to repentance. In Mosiah 11: 20-25, we hear from Abinadi as he predicts the people will be placed in bondage. The king doesn't like this so he throws him in prison. Then in chapter 12, the priests of King Noah contend with Abinadi and try to batter him with scripture in which Abinadi defends himself quite well with the help of the spirit. In chapter 13 he begins to teach the 10 commandments.
Now we all know that
King Noah killed Abinadi and didn't accept the word of Christ but what stands
out to me most is that twice did Abinadi prophecy of his own death. In Mosiah
13: 3 he states "...God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time." also in 13:9-10 "But I finish my
message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved. But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a
type and a shadow of things which are to come." We see here that Abinadi knows that
he will die by preaching and nontheless that he knows he will die by fire! He
knows and taught that the wicked will suffer an endless torment of fire and he
states that what happens to him will be a shadow of what is to come (fire to
the unrepentant sinners). He knows he will die because of his teachings...so
why does he continue?
We learn in Mosiah 17: 2
why Abinadi taught the King and priests. Alma! Alma was a priest of King Noah
and he believed on the words which Abinadi taught. It is through Alma that we
have this story (Mosiah 17: 4). We all know Alma to be a great man and through
him countless people were brought to the light of Christ. To my
understanding, Abinadi didn't see what Alma did so he never got to see the
fruits of his labors and sacrifice, but through him thousands if not tens of
thousands (if not more) of people came unto Christ.
The point behind this is
that we may not see the result of our works right away. We may never see our
results at all! But this shouldn't stop us from doing our job. Every member a
missionary! Bring others unto Christ through your example and as time passes
you may convert people and SAVE THEIR SOULS! Study the story of Abinadi AND
look at the fruit of his labor.
I know these things to
be true and close this letter in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Elder Morris
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