Killing Abinadi...
Killing Abinadi: A Clash of Doctrine
Wicked King Noah brutally executed Abinadi.
But why?
The answer: Noah accused Abinadi of blasphemy for declaring that God Himself would come down to earth in the flesh.
The Question
Now, the question isn't just about Abinadi's fate during his time, but the question is what has become of this truth since it was revealed? Do we believe and understand God Himself died to atone for our sins?
Because of writings that came after the Book of Mormon's publication, this becomes a difficult issue for many in the Restoration.
What Do We Believe?
While most Restorationists condemn Abinadi's fiery demise, many of these same believers accept a doctrine that directly contradicts Abinadi's message. That message states God didn't take on flesh, but he sent someone in his place. But the Book of Mormon teaches God Himself came to earth.
The words we tell and teach have evolved, moving away from the clarity of Abinadi's teaching.
Most in the restoration embrace that God didn't take on flesh but instead 'sent' His Son, assuming a 'biological' relationship between father and son exists in the eternal world.
But this starkly opposes the very doctrine for which Abinadi was martyred, one of the most pivotal teachings in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon asserts (through every writer) that God HIMSELF would be the atonement, not another being.
If you intellectually reject that God took on flesh, are you spiritually aligning with those who killed Abinadi?
Our Crossroad
We stand at a crossroads. Some become angrey to suggest God took on flesh, but which of all books was given as the 'fullness of the Gospel?' What does the Book of Mormon teach?
To embrace the Book of Mormon, one might begin by accepting Abinadi's teachings.
What Did Abinadi Teach?
Abinadi taught:
God Himself would atone for the sins and iniquities of his people.
Mosiah 8:5 And moreover, I say unto you that salvation doth not come by the law alone. And were it not for the atonement which God Himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of His people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses. (LDS: Mosiah 13:28)
God Himself would come down among the children of men and take upon him the form of man.
Mosiah 8:13 Have they not said that God Himself should come down among the children of men and take upon Him the form of man and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? (LDS: Mosiah 13:34)
Mosiah 8:28 And now Abinadi saith unto them: I would that ye should understand that God Himself shall come down among the children of men and shall redeem His people. (LDS: Mosiah 15:1)
That God Himself would bring to pass the resurrection and that God Himself would be oppressed and afflicted.
Mosiah 8:14 Yea, and have they not said also that He should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead and that He, Himself, should be oppressed and afflicted? (LDS: Mosiah 13:35)
God Himself would come down among the children of men and redeem his people.
Mosiah 8:28 And now Abinadi saith unto them: I would that ye should understand that God Himself shall come down among the children of men and shall redeem His people. (LDS: Mosiah 15:1)
Because he dwells in the flesh, he would be called the son of God.
Mosiah 8:29 And because He dwelleth in flesh, He shall be called the Son of God. (LDS: Mosiah 15:2)
The flesh and the spirit were locked together as one God.
Mosiah 8:30 And having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son - The Father, because He was conceived by the power of God, and the Son, because of the flesh, thus becoming the Father and Son, (LDS: Mosiah 15:3)
They are one God, the very eternal father of heaven and earth.
Mosiah 8:31 And They are one God, yea, the Very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth - (LDS: Mosiah 15:4)
This God would suffer temptation and not yield to temptation. But would suffer Himself to be mocked, scourged, cast out and disowned by his people.
Mosiah 8:32 And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation and yieldeth not to the temptation, But suffereth Himself to be mocked and scourged and cast out and disowned by His people. (LDS: Mosiah 15:5)
God in the flesh as Jesus would be led crucified in slain, subject under death, allowing the will of the Son to be swallowed up in the will of the Father.
Mosiah 8:34 Yea, even so He shall be led, crucified and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, The will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. (LDS: Mosiah 15:7)
God Himself would break the bands of death, allowing mercy to overcome justice. (later, in verse 80, Abinadi states Christ breaks the bands of death. Christ is the eternal father who breaks these bands.).
Mosiah 8:35 And thus God breaketh the bands of death, Having gained the victory over death, giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men, (LDS: Mosiah 15:8)
Mosiah 8:80 And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. (LDS: Mosiah 16:7)
God Himself would take up upon him our iniquity and transgressions.
Mosiah 8:37 standing betwixt them and justice, Having broken the bands of death, taken upon Himself their iniquity and their transgressions,…. (LDS: Mosiah 15:9)
God's atonement for us would satisfy the demands of justice.
Mosiah 8:37 ……. Having redeemed them and satisfied the demands of justice. (LDS: Mosiah 15:9)
Abinadi's conclusion: teach them that redemption comes through Christ the Lord, which is the very eternal father.
Mosiah 8:91 Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, which is the Very Eternal Father. Amen. (LDS: Mosiah 16:15)
So, what do you believe? Choose your response wisely.
Will you challenge Abinadi's teachings, or recognize the profound truth in his message, even if it conflicts with modern interpretations?