Mosiah 11-14

 

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.