Mosiah 17
People in this chapter
Abinadi has finished. Through Mosiah 12-16 he has taught the king and his priests the commandments, Isaiah's prophecy of the suffering servant, and the doctrine of the Redeemer. Now the king commanded that the priests should take him and cause that he should be put to death (v. 1).
Tap any highlighted phrase to jump to the commentary that unpacks it.
Mosiah 17:1-4There Was One among Them
1And 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. 2But 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.
Of all Noah's priests, one believed: a young man named Alma. He knew Abinadi was telling the truth about their sins, and he pleaded for Abinadi's life.
3But 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. 4But 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.
The king had Alma thrown out and sent men to kill him. Alma hid, and while hiding he wrote down all of Abinadi's words. That is how we have them today.
Mosiah 17:5-12I Will Not Recall My Words
5And 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. 6And after three days, having counseled with his priests, he caused that he should again be brought before him. 7And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death. 8For 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.
9Now 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. 10Yea, 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.
Abinadi could save his life by taking back his words. He refuses: they are true. He even says he let himself be captured so they would know it.
11And 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. 12But 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.
Noah almost lets Abinadi go because he is afraid of God's judgments. But when his priests accuse Abinadi of insulting the king, Noah gives in and hands him over to die.
Mosiah 17:13-20Having Sealed the Truth of His Words by His Death
13And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death. 14And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto them, saying:
Faggots are bundles of sticks used for fuel. Abinadi is put to death by fire.
15Behold, 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. 16And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all manner of diseases because of your iniquities. 17Yea, 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. 18And 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.
From the fire Abinadi prophesies that the priests' descendants will burn believers and be hunted. Mormon records that it came true (Alma 25:9-12).
19Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people. O God, receive my soul. 20And 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.
Abinadi's last words are a prayer: O God, receive my soul. Jesus and Stephen died with similar prayers.
Abinadi sealed the truth of his words by his death. His testimony did not die with him. Alma carried it forward.
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.
- Martyr, MartyrdomScriptures on those who give their lives rather than deny Christ and His gospel, including Abinadi.
- AbinadiA short summary of Abinadi's ministry with references to Mosiah 11-17.
- Alma the ElderReferences for Alma's life, from his conversion under Abinadi to his leadership of the church.
Where this echoes in Scripture
There Was One among Them
- Mosiah 23:9I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord.Alma looks back on his years as Noah's priest.
- Mosiah 26:15Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi.
- Alma 5:11-12Did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi?... And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart.Alma's son tells the story a generation later.
- John 3:1-2A man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night.Another ruler drawn to the truth, at first in secret.
I Will Not Recall My Words
- Mosiah 7:26-28Because he said unto them that Christ was the God... and that God should come down among the children of men... they did put him to death.Limhi names the charge years later.
- Mark 14:61-64Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?... they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
- John 19:12From thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend.
- Daniel 3:17-18Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace... But if not.Others who would not deny their God before a king's fire.
Having Sealed the Truth of His Words by His Death
- Alma 25:9-12Thus the words of Abinadi were brought to pass... What ye shall do unto me shall be a type of things to come.Mormon records the fulfillment.
- Mosiah 19:20They were angry with the king, and caused that he should suffer, even unto death by fire.
- Acts 7:59-60Lord Jesus, receive my spirit... Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.Stephen's last prayer.
- Luke 23:46Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
- D&C 135:1To seal the testimony of this book and the Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet, and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch.