Mosiah 16
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This is the last page of Abinadi's sermon. He has been teaching a hostile court for four chapters, and he knows how it will end for him. He stretched forth his hand (v. 1) and spoke about how it will end for everyone.
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
Mosiah 16:1-5Thus All Mankind Were Lost
1And now, it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these words he stretched forth his hand and said: The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just. 2And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.
A day will come when everyone sees the Lord's salvation and admits that His judgments are fair. Those who refused to listen will mourn.
3For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil. 4Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state. 5But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.
Through the Fall of Adam and Eve, all people became subject to sin and the devil's influence. Without God's redemption, we would have been endlessly lost.
Christ has paid for our redemption, but a person who refuses to repent stays in the fallen state, as though there was no redemption made.
Mosiah 16:6-9The Grave Hath No Victory
6And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption. 7And 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. 8But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
Abinadi speaks of Christ's coming as if it had already happened. To a prophet, what God has promised is as sure as what has already taken place.
9He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
Christ is a light that is endless and a life which is endless. Because He lives, there will be no more death.
Mosiah 16:10-15Redemption Cometh through Christ the Lord
10Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil— 11If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—
Everyone will be resurrected and judged by their works. The good rise to endless life and happiness; the evil to endless damnation.
12Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent. 13And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved?
God's arms of mercy were stretched out to the wicked, but they would not come. Abinadi pleads with the priests to repent, because salvation is only through Christ.
14Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come— 15Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen.
Abinadi's last words tell the priests what to teach: the law of Moses is a shadow pointing to Christ, and redemption comes only through Him.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- ResurrectionScriptures on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of all people.
- ResurrectionAn overview of the doctrine of the Resurrection, made possible by Jesus Christ.
- Natural ManThe carnal, fallen state Abinadi describes in verses 3-5, and how it is overcome through Christ.
- Law of MosesThe law given through Moses as a preparatory law pointing to Christ, the background to verse 14.
Where this echoes in Scripture
Thus All Mankind Were Lost
- Philippians 2:10-11Every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
- Mosiah 3:19The natural man is an enemy to God... unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Nephi 2:25Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
- Alma 42:10As they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare.
- Moses 5:13And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish.
The Grave Hath No Victory
- 1 Corinthians 15:17-22If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain... For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-55Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
- John 8:12I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness.
- John 11:25I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.
- Mosiah 3:13Whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins... even as though he had already come.
Redemption Cometh through Christ the Lord
- John 5:28-29They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
- Alma 5:33The arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.
- 3 Nephi 9:14Mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive.
- Hebrews 10:1For the law having a shadow of good things to come.
- D&C 88:97-98They who have slept in their graves shall come forth... They are Christ's, the first fruits.