Mosiah 11:
Noah is worldly, walking after the desires of his
heart. He doesn’t keep the
commandments. He dismisses all the
righteous priests and leaders and replaces them with those like himself and
whom he can command. He levies a
burdensome tax on the people, He sinks into idolatry, He plans vineyards and
starts making lots of wine…corrupting himself and his people with drunkenness. Abinadi is sent to preach repentance to King
Noah and his people. The people try to
kill him but the Lord delivers him out of their hands. King Noah hardens his heart against the
Lord.
Application: Do I say
“all is well: just because the material part of my life is well? Do I close my eyes to spiritual decay as Noah
and his people did?
Mosiah 12:
Abinadi returns preaching repentance, and declaring a tierce
destruction if they don’t turn back to the Lord as they are “ripe” and full of
inequality. King Noah imprisons Abinidi
and has him brought before him to speak and that they may question him. Abinidi confounds the King and his
priests. He states “Ye have not applied
your hearts to understanding, therefore ye have not been wise” also he states “I know if ye keep the commandments of God,
ye shall be saved.”
Application: Do I study
the Words of the Lord, ponder and pray that I might be wise? Do I keep the
commandments that I may be saved?
Mosiah 13:
The King commands that Abinidi be seized and killed but
Abinidi is filled with the spirit. He
warns them if they touch him they will be struck down and the guards are afraid
to touch him. Abinidi finishes his
warning and testimony. He explains the
Law of Moses and the need for an atonement and the coming of the Messiah.
Application: Keeping
the commandments (works) are not sufficient to save us. Only through the atonement of Christ can
death and hell be overcome.
Mosiah 14:
Christ comes like “a root from dry ground”. He is not handsome and doesn’t have a physical
beauty that would cause us to desire Him.
He is despised and rejected of men.
A man of sorrow and grief.
Despite man’s rejection of him, both then and now, He took upon Him our
transgressions and intercedes with the Father for us. Since He was “cut off” (having no children),
all of us who accept Him as their Savior shall be His children.
Application: Do I reverence
Christ for His great and merciful sacrifice; am I mindful of my position of dependence
and have I truly taken His name upon me-- as a child takes her father’s name.
