Monday, April 26, 2010

Mosiah 16

Abinadi finishes his testimony by testifying that if the priests continue to pursue their carnal desires, their will be no redemption for them in spite of the great atonement and sacrifice of the Lord. He shows the priests how if Christ were not to come, there would be no redemption at all, no resurrection, no hope for after this life. But because of Christ, there will be a resurrection, everyone will receive an immortal body and those who have been good will be received into a state of happiness and peace. But people like Noah and the priests will suffer great anguish and the severe consequences that justice requires because they failed to listen to the Lord who had extended his arms of mercy to them, warning them and commanding them to repent. The Lord does this because he loves them and desires that they will understand his great gift that is offered to them. He not only sees the consequences of their actions in their lives, but in the lives of the people who follow them. Abinadi ends his testimony returning to his first question, if you teach the law of Moses, why don't you keep it? The law of Moses is symbolic of the sacrifice of Christ and if they understood and taught the law of Moses correctly, they would also teach that redemption comes through Christ.

Abinadi's arguments are so logical and so powerful that undoubtedly Noah and his priests would have been left sitting their in silence not knowing what to say. But as we shall see in the next chapter, they are so saturated in their wickedness and pride that their being dumb founded is not based on he's right, what should we do? But on how can they get rid of this man so they don't have to face what he says? There is no concern for right or wrong, only concern for their power and position and the desire to continue in their wickedness. These are all, except one, truly wicked men.

No comments: