Mosiah 12-17 God Himself…Shall Redeem His People

1. Mosiah 12-17God Himself…Shall Redeem His People

2. Difficult missions…Why were they willing to do it?

3. Mosiah 11What were the sins of Noah’s people?

5. Abinadi warns twiceMosiah 11:26-29; 12:8-16 • How is he received? • How do we receive the prophets? • Why did they defend Noah?

6. Pattern for avoiding repentanceMosiah 11:26-29; 12:8-16 • Anger • Discredit the messenger • Destroy the messenger • Blind to the need for repentance

7. Mosiah 12:13-16What are the many ways the priests are wrong in these verses? • How can people as corrupt as Noah and his priests come to believe that they have not sinned? • How can we be sure that we do not deceive ourselves about sin? • X Ether 12:27

8. Mosiah 12:13-16 • What are the dangers of believing that strength and prosperity are always a sign of God’s favor? • How can we keep strength and prosperity (or a lack thereof) in proper perspective?

9. Mosiah 12:19Why did the wicked priests want to question Abinadi? • Why did they quote Isaiah 52:7-10?

10. If we don’t want to hear the words of the prophet, what do we do? • Question • Try to cross him • Find something to accuse him

11. Why this Question?Mosiah 12:20-24 • Beauty • good tidings • Publisheth salvation • Sing • See eye to eye • Break forth in joy • Comfort • Sing together

12. The Question:Mosiah 12:20-24 • In the day in which Isaiah wrote this passage, messages were often carried by runners, men who sprinted from place to place with documents of importance. Carrying a message of victory–a message of good tidings–was a great honor. Consider the following example: • In 490 BC the Athenians had miraculously defeated a much stronger force of invading Persians on the Plains of Marathon. Pheidippidies was selected to carry the good news back to Athens. The fleet runner ran the grueling 25 miles as fast as he could. Upon reaching the walls of the Acropolis, Pheidippidies cried out, “Rejoice, we conquer!” and promptly fell dead. (Webster’s Word Histories, Mirriam-Webster, Inc.,1989, p. 291; for an additional example, see 2 Sam. 18, 19-28) • Ted Gibbons, LDS Living

13. The Answer: Lays the groundwork for the answer The Answer: Mosiah 15 The Question: Mosiah 12

14. Mosiah 12:24-37 • As the trial of Abinadi progressed, who was in charge of the questioning?

15. Mosiah 12:25-27What were the priests doing wrong? 1. If you have understood these things, you haven’t taught them.2. So you have perverted the way of the Lord.3. You haven’t applied your hearts to understanding.4. So what have you taught?

16. Mosiah 12:24-27Why were the priests unable to understand this scripture passage? • What does it mean to apply our hearts to understanding? • X D&C 8:2-3 • 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. • 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. Do we make an effort to apply our hearts to understanding or do we try to excessively intellectualize the gospel?

17. 2 Ne 33:1Holy Ghost carries unto the hearts God has, by divine decree, made us the guardians of our own hearts. Each of us is the gatekeeper of our own heart. In life each of us erects a fence around our hearts. This right to control access to our hearts, or our inner selves, is one of the most fundamental and sacred aspects of agency.

18. In some cases the fence erected around the heart is a low picket fence with daisies growing along it. On the gate is a welcome sign, and the gate swings open easily. Other hearts are surrounded by an eight foot high chain link fence with a padlocked gate. Instead of daisies, the fence is topped with razor wire and patrolled by guard dogs. Sometimes such formidable defenses develop because of years of hurt and betrayal In other cases, the high fence is the result of sin and transgression. Gerald Lund, Hearing the Voice of the Lord, 264

19. Elder Bednar I find it most interesting in these and many other verses that understanding is linked primarily to the heart. Note that we are not explicitly counseled to apply our minds to understanding. Obviously, we must use our minds and our rational capacity to obtain and evaluate information and to reach appropriate conclusions and judgments. But perhaps the scriptures are suggesting to us that reason and “the arm of flesh” are not sufficient to produce true understanding. Thus, understanding, as the word is used in the scriptures, does not refer solely or even primarily to intellectual or cognitive comprehension. Rather, understanding occurs when what we know in our minds is confirmed as true in our hearts by the witness of the Holy Ghost. … And as testimony and conviction move from our heads to our hearts, we no longer just have information or knowledge—but we begin to understand and seek after the mighty change of heart. Understanding, then, is the result of revelation… This revealed insight about the relationship between the heart and understanding has greatly influenced my approach to gospel learning and study, has affected positively the way Sister Bednar and I teach our children and grandchildren, and has impacted my priesthood service. BYU Fireside, 2007

20. Laws • Including the Ten Commandments • “No other gods before me.” • No “graven image.” • Don’t “take the name of the Lord . . . in vain.” • Keep the “sabbath day” holy. • “Honour thy father and thy mother.” • “Thou shalt not kill.” • “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” • “Thou shalt not steal.” • “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” • “Thou shalt not covet.” • + • Mosiah 12:31-32 Ordinances Including Animal Sacrifice =

21. Mosiah 12:29, 37 • Abinadi reveals a problem with the priests’ claim that they taught the law of Moses?

22. Mosiah 13:11Why did Abinadi read the Ten Commandments? • What does it mean to have the commandments “written in [our] hearts”? • How might having the commandments written in our hearts affect our efforts to obey them?

23. Write commandments in your heart • When your heart tells you things that your mind does not know, then the Spirit is guiding you… • The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today. If it is one of dishonesty, if it is one of unchastity, if it is one of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you have been able to conquer that weakness. Put that aright and then you start on the next one that is most difficult for you to keep. That’s the way to sanctify yourself by keeping the commandments of God. • Teachings of Harold B Lee, 82, 509

24. Mosiah 13:28, 30-35 • What did Noah and his priests leave out of the formula? • According to Abinadi, why was the law of Moses given? (see Mosiah 13:30–31).

25. Laws Including the Ten Commandments + Ordinances Including BaptismSacrament. . . + How could they know “the Law” But not understand the Savior? Can we understand “the Church” but not the Atonement? The Atonement =

26. Mosiah 13:28,14,32-35How does salvation come? • Suppose we have the scriptures, the gospel, the priesthood, the Church, the ordinances, the organization, even the keys of the kingdom – everything… down to the last jot and tittle – and yet there is no atonement of Christ. What then? Can we be saved?... Most assuredly we will not… We are saved by the blood of Christ. • Bruce R McConkie, Sermons and Writings, 76

27. Mosiah 14:1-5Abinadi quotes Isaiah • What are some things we learn about the Savior from the prophecy quoted in Mosiah 14?

28. Abinadi concentrates on three phrases from the “suffering servant” chapter God the Father shall see the travail/labor of Christ’s soul, and shall be satisfied

29. Mosiah 15:10-11Who shall be his seed? • Whosoever has heard the words of the prophets • All those who have hearkened unto their words • All those who have believed that the Lord would redeem his people • All those who have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins

30. He shall see His seed • The prophet Abinadi further states that “when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed” (Mosiah 15:10). Abinadi then identifies the Savior’s seed as the prophets and those who follow them. For many years I thought of the Savior’s experience in the garden and on the cross as places where a large mass of sin was heaped upon Him. Through the words of Alma, Abinadi, Isaiah, and other prophets, however, my view has changed. Instead of an impersonal mass of sin, there was a long line of people, as Jesus felt “our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15), “[bore] our griefs, … carried our sorrows … [and] was bruised for our iniquities” (Isa. 53:4–5). • The Atonement was an intimate, personal experience in which Jesus came to know how to help each of us. • Merrill J. Bateman, “A Pattern for All,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 74

31. The Answer: Lays the groundwork for the answer The Answer: Mosiah 15 The Question: Mosiah 12

32. Mosiah 15:13-18Who are those with beautiful feet? • The prophets • All those who publish peace • Past • Present • Future • Christ

34. Mosiah 17:2-4Was Abinadi successful in his mission? 23,707 people united with the Church, and, in addition to this, thirteen other large groups of people (whose numbers are not specified) were converted. -Andrew Horton

35. Sadly, in today’s world, a person’s importance is often judged by the size of the audience before which he or she performs. That is how media and sports programs are rated, how corporate prominence is sometimes determined, and often how governmental rank is obtained. That may be why roles such as father, mother, and missionary seldom receive standing ovations. Fathers, mothers, and missionaries “play” before very small audiences. Yet, in the eyes of the Lord, there may be only one size of audience that is of lasting importance – and that is just one, each one, you and me, and each one of the children of God. The irony of the Atonement is that it is infinite and eternal, yet it is applied individually, one person at a time. • M Russell Ballard, Ensign, May 2004, 87

36. Mosiah 17:8-9How could Abinadi have avoided death? "The gospel is a pill I have swallowed, and it is already working its good in me. Do not worry about me. I will always be faithful." -Faustina Haizel Sandra Rogers, BYU Women’s Conf, 2005

37. Mosiah 17:8-9How could Abinadi have avoided death? 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” Ezra Taft Benson,Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6 Sandra Rogers, BYU Women’s Conf, 2005

38. Be strong – in standing for the right. We live in an age of compromise and acquiescence. In situations with which we are daily confronted, we know what is right, but under pressure from our peers and the beguiling voices of those who would persuade us, we capitulate. We compromise… We must cultivate the strength to follow our convictions • Gordon B Hinckley, Teachings, 135

40. Abinadi And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying… 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 it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them… And it came to pass that they were angry with him; and they took him and carried him bound before the king, and said unto the king: Behold, we have brought a man before thee who has prophesied evil concerning thy people, and saith that God will destroy them. And it came to pass that king Noah caused that Abinadi should be cast into prison; and he commanded that the priests should gather themselves together that he might hold a council with them what he should do with him. I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! … Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people? How could they know “the Law” But not understand the Savior? Can we understand “the Church” but not the Atonement?

41. Abinadi said that the Savior “satisfied the demands of justice” (Mosiah 15:9). What are the demands of justice? (See Alma 42:11, 14.) What did the Savior do to satisfy the demands of justice? (See Mosiah 15:9; Alma 42:12–13, 15.)

42. Abinadi spoke of the seed, or the sons and daughters, of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 15:10; see also Mosiah 14:10). What does it mean to be the Savior’s sons and daughters? (See Mosiah 15:11–14; see also Mosiah 5:5–7. Explain that Jesus Christ is the author of salvation. There is a Father-child relationship between Him and those who accept His gospel. We become His seed, or His sons and daughters, when we believe in Him, repent of our sins, and covenant to do His will and obey His commandments.)

43. The Father and The Son: A Doctrinal Exposition by the First Presidency and The Twelve. • Issued June 30, 1916. • Published in Articles of Faith by James E. Talmage (pp465-473).

44. Abinadi said that Jesus was called the Son “because he dwelleth in flesh” and the Father “because he was conceived by the power of God” (Mosiah 15:2–3; see also D&C 93:3–4). When Abinadi spoke of “the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:7), he referred to Jesus subjecting His flesh to His spirit (Mosiah 15:2–5; see also 3 Nephi 1:14). When Jesus subjected His flesh to His spirit, He also subjected His will to the will of Heavenly Father (Matthew 26:39; D&C 19:16–19).

45. Mosiah 15Role as the Father • Jesus’ roles as Father include • (a) His work as “the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning” (Mosiah 3:8); • (b) His mission as the Father of those who accept His gospel and follow Him (Mosiah 5:7; 15:10–13; Ether 3:14); and • (c) His authority to speak and act in behalf of Heavenly Father, which has been termed “divine investiture of authority.”

46. Jesus’ roles as the Son of God include • (a) His Atonement for the sins of the world (Mosiah 15:6–9) and • (b) His service as our Mediator and Advocate with Heavenly Father (Jacob 4:10–11; D&C 45:3–5).

47. Remind class members that one of Noah’s priests asked Abinadi to interpret Isaiah’s statement “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings” (Mosiah 12:20–24). What are these good tidings? (See Mosiah 15:19–25; D&C 76:40–42.) Who are the messengers who share these good tidings? (See Mosiah 15:13–18. The Savior Himself, the prophets, and others who share the gospel.) How can we help bring these good tidings to others?

48. How will we be blessed after we die if we have believed in Christ, followed Him, and accepted His Atonement? (See Mosiah 15:21–23; 16:8–11.) What will happen to us if we have rejected Christ and His Atonement? (See Mosiah 15:26–27; 16:2–3, 5, 10–12.)

49. Mosiah 16:13-15Abinadi exhorts Noah and priests • How can we apply this counsel in our lives? • Repent • Teach the Law • Teach the shadow of things to come • Teach that redemption comes through Christ