Life Lessons from the Book of Mormon ~ The Sermons of Abinadi

As with King Benjamin, there are many sermons that could be preached from the words of the Prophet Abinadi to King Noah and his court.  The theme I have chosen deals with the fact that these "priests" supposed to be the spiritual leaders of their people.  They claimed to be teaching and living the Law given to Moses on Sinai.  By their smooth and "flattering words" they had led the people into a sense of carnal security.  Abinadi exposes their lies for what they are and chastises them for their pretense and hypocrisy.  I quote from the twelfth chapter of the Book of Mosiah:

[[When questioned about a basic scriptural verse by a "priest"] Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?  I say unto you, woe be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted 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?

 

And they said: We teach the law of Moses.

 

If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots, yea, and cause this people to commit sin, that the Lord has cause to send me to prophesy against this people, yea, even a great evil against this people?  Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God . . . [for] ye shall be smitten for your iniquities, for ye have said that ye teach the law of Moses. And what know ye concerning the law of Moses? (Mosiah 12: 25-31)

 

This fearless prophet, in chains, then went on to teach these men about the Law and about the coming of the Messiah who would fulfill the Law.  He taught the basics, such as the Ten Commandments, and the messianic prophecies of Isaiah.  None dared to interrupt him.

 

Do we know the commandments of God?  If so, do we keep them?  Do we teach them to our children and grandchildren?  Do we set for them an example of a true believer and disciple?  If we don't know God's commandments for us, we need to learn them through prayerful study of the scriptures.  Then, once we understand them, we need to keep them, seeking daily to know God's will for us in all things.

 

Text copyright August 2013, Gebara Education

 

Pictures from www.lds.org

except

King Noah picture, which was downloaded from www.dennisagle.wordpress.com