Mosiah 17

Chapter Overview

What happens in Mosiah 17

After Abinadi finishes his testimony, King Noah commands his death. One young priest named Alma believes Abinadi's words and pleads for his life, but is cast out. After three days in prison, Abinadi refuses to deny his message and is martyred by fire, sealing his testimony with his blood.

Scripture

Alma Believes and Is Cast Out

Study note

Among all of Noah's priests, only the young Alma recognizes the truth of Abinadi's message. When Alma pleads with the king to release Abinadi peacefully, Noah becomes angry and expels Alma, sending servants to kill him. Alma flees and goes into hiding, where he writes down all of Abinadi's words. This moment is the seed from which the entire Nephite church will grow -- one young man's courageous response to prophetic truth.

1 And now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him and cause that he should be put to death.

2 But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace.

3 But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be cast out from among them, and sent his servants after him that they might slay him.

4 But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found him not. And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which Abinadi had spoken.

Abinadi's Final Trial

Study note

After three days in prison, Abinadi is brought before Noah again and given a final ultimatum: recant his words or die. Abinadi refuses, declaring that he will not recall his message because it is true, and that he will seal his testimony with his life. Noah, initially inclined to release him, is persuaded by the priests to carry out the death sentence.

5 And it came to pass that the king caused that his guards should surround Abinadi and take him; and they bound him and cast him into prison.

6 And after three days, having counseled with his priests, he caused that he should again be brought before him.

7 And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death.

8 For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people.

9 Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands.

10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

11 And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared his word; for he feared that the judgments of God would come upon him.

12 But the priests lifted up their voices against him, and began to accuse him, saying: He has reviled the king. Therefore the king was stirred up in anger against him, and he delivered him up that he might be slain.

The Martyrdom of Abinadi

Study note

Abinadi is scourged with burning faggots until death. In his final moments, he prophesies that Noah will suffer the same kind of death and that many will suffer diseases because of their iniquities. His dying words -- 'O God, receive my soul' -- echo the final words of martyrs throughout scripture. Abinadi's death becomes the catalyst for the entire narrative that follows, as Alma carries his message forward to establish the church of God.

13 And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death.

14 And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto them, saying:

15 Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to pass that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do suffer, even the pains of death by fire; and this because they believe in the salvation of the Lord their God.

16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities.

17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and ferocious beasts.

18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains of death by fire.

19 Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people. O God, receive my soul.

20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death.

Key Themes

Themes in Mosiah 17

The cost of prophetic witnessMartyrdom as a seal of testimonyOne person's faith changing the course of historyThe courage to stand for truth unto deathGod's justice upon those who persecute His servants

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Mosiah 17:19-20 Acts 7:59-60

Abinadi's dying words 'O God, receive my soul' and his prophecy of judgment upon his persecutors closely parallel the martyrdom of Stephen, who cried 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit' as he was stoned to death.

Mosiah 17:2-4 Acts 26:9-18

Alma's conversion through hearing Abinadi's testimony, despite being part of the wicked establishment, foreshadows Paul's dramatic conversion from persecutor to apostle after encountering the truth of Christ.

Mosiah 17:9-10 Revelation 2:10

Abinadi's refusal to recant even at the cost of his life embodies the scriptural call to 'be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'

Apply This Today

Living Mosiah 17

Abinadi's martyrdom shows us what it means to value truth above life itself. But equally powerful is the story of Alma, the one person who listened. We may never know the full impact of our willingness to receive truth when others reject it. One believing heart was enough for God to build an entire church. Our faithful response to God's word, even when we stand alone, can have consequences that ripple through generations.

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