Mosiah 12:1-8 Bondage and Destruction Foretold
The first time Abinadi came to the King Noah’s people he told them the Lord would “visit” them in “his anger” (see Mosiah 11:20). The people did not repent. What sorts of things did Abinadi say would happen to them? According to Mosiah 12:8, what was going to happen if King Noah’s people did not repent this time? What do these verses teach us about the patience of the Lord?
Abiniadi prophesied before King Noah and his wicked priests.
Mosiah 12:17-37 “What teach ye this people?”
King Noah’s wicked priests try to trick Abinadi into saying something that will condemn him. They ask him to interpret some words from the Prophet Isaiah (see Mosiah 12:21-24). After the wicked priests quote Isaiah, what questions does Abinadi ask them? (see Mosiah 12:25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 37. Why did Abinadi condemn the priests of King Noah?
Mosiah 13:1-25 The Ten Commandments
Abinadi begins to quote the Ten Commandments to the wicked priests of King Noah. They cut him off and claim that he is mad (see Mosiah 12:33-13:1). Then he starts quoting the commandments again (see Mosiah 13:11-24). Ask students why they think Abinadi would quote the Ten Commandments. Where else in scripture can we read the Ten Commandments? (See Exodus 20:1-17; see also D&C 42:18-29.) What conclusion do you draw when you see that the commandments were revealed anciently and preserved for our day?
Mosiah 14:1-12 A Prophecy about the Savior
Have students select one or two verses that they will read, or assign students to read selected verses. Have them look for things that remind them of the life and sacrifice of Christ. Why was Isaiah shown these things many hundred years before Christ was born? Why did Abinadi quote these verses to the wicked priests of King Noah? Mosiah 15:10 “Who shall declare his generation?”
This is a difficult and controversial chapter in the Book of Mormon. The difficulty comes from the statements made twice in this chapter that Christ is “the Father and the Son.” This appears to be in conflict with LDS doctrine that Christ and the Father are separate, distinct beings. A key word to help understand this chapter is the word “becoming” in Mosiah 15:3. It clearly states in this verse that the Messiah “becomes” the Father and the Son by submitting his will (the will of his flesh), to the will of the Father (the will of his spirit). What follows is a scripture analysis you may want to incorporate into your lesson. It’s underlying assumption is that God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son are two distinct beings. 1 AND now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men [from the context of this verse we must conclude that “God himself” refers to Jesus Christ because “he shall come down”], and shall redeem his people.
2 And because he [Jesus Christ] dwelleth in flesh he [Jesus Christ] shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being [“being” means this is his eternal condition] the Father and the Son--
3 The Father [Christ is the Father], because he [Christ] was conceived by the power of God [God the Father]; and the Son [Christ is the Son of God], because of the flesh; thus becoming [“becoming” means that he was not always the Father and the Son. He did something to “become” what he would be for eternity.] the Father and Son--
4 And they [Christ as the Father and Christ as the Son] are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.
5 And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or [the will of]the Son [becoming subject] to the [will of the]Father, being [in his eternal condition] one God, [Christ] suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.
6 And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he [Christ] shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.
7 Yea, even so he [Christ] shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son [the will of the flesh] being swallowed up in the will of the Father [the will of the Spirit].
8 And thus God [God the Father] breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son [Jesus Christ] power to make intercession for the children of men--
9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; [Jesus Christ] standing betwixt them [the children of men] and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself [Jesus Christ] their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
10 And now I [Abinadi] say unto you, who shall declare his generation [who shall say who Christ’s children are]? Behold, I say unto you, that when his [Christ’s] soul has been made an offering for sin he [Christ] shall see his seed [the people he has redeemed and thereby has become the “Father” of their saved souls]. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed?
Invite students to read verses 11-13 to discover the answer to Abinadi's question.
Mosiah 16:13 Ought we not to tremble and repent?
Have students read Abinadi’s words in Mosiah 16:5-8 and look for the blessings that have come to them through the sacrifice of Christ. What are those blessings? What happens if we continue to do our will, rather than the will of Christ? (see verse 12) Christ became the Father and the Son by submitting his will to the will of God. What happens to us if we submit our will to the will of Christ?
Mosiah 17:9-10, 14-19 O God, receive my soul!
Look for the things Abinadi testified of before he died. Ask students why they think he was willing to suffer rather than take back his words. What are you willing to do that is right, even though it may destroy your relationship with others?
