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29 Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings. Mosiah 12:1 1 And it came to pass that after the space of two years that Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying—Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; therefore, I will visit them in my anger, yea, in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations.
When Abinadi comes among the people he comes in disguise, and then appears to blow his cover by announcing his name. Why the disguise if he were to openly state his name? The answer is verse 11:29. Without the disguise Abinadi could not have come among them because he would have been killed as he entered the community. We learn from this that Abinidi has been outside the community for the space of two years, but would still be known and still hunted for his life. Whether or not Abinadi understood the personal martyrdom that awaited him, the Lord's purpose required that Abinadi go before Noah's court. To accomplish that, Abinadi had to survive long enough to be in a public place where he could both preach and call attention to himself. In such a public place, the people who might have killed him upon sight would now defer to the officials of the government, and Abinadi would be take before Noah. That audience before Noah was the true purpose of his mission. Coming in disguise got him to the point where he could be given over to the authorities and brought to confront Noah and his priests directly.
2 Yea, wo be unto this generation! And the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth thy hand and prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that this generation, because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage, and shall be smitten on the cheek; yea, and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild beasts, shall devour their flesh.
Textual: Mormon appears to be citing a record of Abinadi's speech. However, it is also clear from internal evidence that there was no single account of the speech (see verses 10-12 below). It would have been very surprising to have a single account of this part of Abinadi's discourse because it was made to a public that was not expecting him. There would have been no way that someone would have happened to have the writing materials with him to record the precise words. Mormon's source here is the official record of Noah, and the source of that record had to be the oral remembrances of those in the crowd. Those remembrances were not complete, and lead to slightly differing versions of what he said (again see 10-12 below).
3 And it shall come to pass that the life of king Noah shall be valued even as a garment in a hot furnace; for he shall know that I am the Lord.
Literary: It is possible that both the form of this curse and the imagery of the curse flowed from references retained from the Old World. While at this point in time specific Nephite remembrance of Old World customs may be limited, the retention of certain literary structures is not beyond possibility. Similarly, the retention of practice that correlated to the specifics of the law of Moses also have a probability of retention. In that light, note the following:
4 And it shall come to pass that I will smite this my people with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence; and I will cause that they shall howl all the day long. Mosiah 12:5 5 Yea, and I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass.
Translation: Abinadi uses the phrase "they shall be driven before like a dumb ass." The understandable
reference to this is that the people will be used as beasts of burden, which is the state in which Ammon finds
Limhi and his people. The translation problem comes with both the animal and the conception. There are no asses
in the Western Hemisphere prior to European contact, and there are no known beasts of burden. Thus both the animal
and the concept of using an animal in this way would be foreign to Abinadi.
6 And it shall come to pass that I will send forth hail among them, and it shall smite them; and they shall also be smitten with the east wind; and insects shall pester their land also, and devour their grain. Mosiah 12:7 7 And they shall be smitten with a great pestilence—and all this will I do because of their iniquities and abominations.
8 And it shall come to pass that except they repent I will utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth; yet they shall leave a record behind them, and I will preserve them for other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will I do that I may discover the abominations of this people to other nations. And many things did Abinadi prophesy against this people.
9 And it came to pass that they were angry with him; and they took him and carried him bound before the king, and said unto the king: Behold, we have brought a man before thee who has prophesied evil concerning thy people, and saith that God will destroy them. The anger of the people does not get Abinadi killed, it gets him taken before the king. Once again, this is the desired outcome of the mission. Mosiah 12:10 10 And he also prophesieth evil concerning thy life, and saith that thy life shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire. Mosiah 12:11 11 And again, he saith that thou shalt be as a stalk, even as a dry stalk of the field, which is run over by the beasts and trodden under foot. Mosiah 12:12 12 And again, he saith thou shalt be as the blossoms of a thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven forth upon the face of the land. And he pretendeth the Lord hath spoken it. And he saith all this shall come upon thee except thou repent, and this because of thine iniquities.
13 And now, O king, what great evil hast thou done, or what great sins have thy people committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of this man? Mosiah 12:14 14 And now, O king, behold, we are guiltless, and thou, O king, hast not sinned; therefore, this man has lied concerning you, and he has prophesied in vain. Mosiah 12:15 15 And behold, we are strong, we shall not come into bondage, or be taken captive by our enemies; yea, and thou hast prospered in the land, and thou shalt also prosper.
The accusation against Abinadi focuses on Abinadi's statements about the king and about the people themselves. Because those statements deal with the destruction of the political order, Abinadi may be rightly (in their eyes) seen as a seditionist, and therefore culpable by law. The people bring Abinadi before their government, and accuse him.
16 Behold, here is the man, we deliver him into thy hands; thou mayest do with him as seemeth thee good.
17 And it came to pass that king Noah caused that Abinadi should be cast into prison; and he commanded that the priests should gather themselves together that he might hold a council with them what he should do with him. Mosiah 12:18 18 And it came to pass that they said unto the king: Bring him hither that we may question him; and the king commanded that he should be brought before them. Mosiah 12:19 19 And they began to question him, that they might cross him, that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse him; but he answered them boldly, and withstood all their questions, yea, to their astonishment; for he did withstand them in all their questions, and did confound them in all their words.
First, it does not appear that there is a tremendous popular support for Abinadi as it was the people who turned him over to the king. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the ways of God were forgotten entirely, and there were likely to be some sympathizers, even if they were not as vocal as the rest of the community that had adopted the new ways. As we have developed the story of Noah and Abinadi, the theme has been a conflict between religious systems (remembering the close connection between religion and community politics at this time). It is therefore very understandable that Abinadi be brought before the priests. Abinadi poses a religious challenge, one that should be met by the religious establishment. The intent of the priests is to "cross him," or to show Abinadi to be wrong. The presumption is that they will be able to prevail, and use their superior knowledge and position to declare victory over Abinadi's ideas. This would effectively discredit Abinadi with those who might have sympathized, and consolidate the rule of the new order over all of the people. The tactic backfires, however, as Abinadi "did withstand them in all their questions, and did confound them in all their words." This tells us that there is a religious debate being held, and that while the attempt is being made to discredit Abinadi, he is holding his own. Textual: This interpretation of Abinadi's defense before the priests of Noah is again Mormon's summary. It is entirely possible that the perception of Abinadi's withstanding the questioning is related to Mormon's sympathy with Abinadi. As will be clear as the story continues, the priests of Noah will eventually have a very different reaction to Abinadi, and consider him to have condemned himself (though it will by they who condemn themselves in the eyes of God).
20 And it came to pass that one of them said unto him: What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying: Mosiah 12:21 21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth; Mosiah 12:22 22 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion; Mosiah 12:23 23 Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem; Mosiah 12:24 24 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God?
The question of the priests cites Isaiah 52:7-10, with no changes from the text of the King James Version of those verses. The very stating of these verses tells us something important about the Zeniffite expedition. They clearly brought a copy of the brass plates (or at least some sections, with Isaiah being obviously one of the them). It is certain that the brass plates themselves would not have been allowed to leave Zarahemla, as they were part of the regnal insignia entrusted to Mosiah by Benjamin (Mosiah 1:16). The preparations for their departure must either have included the time to make a copy, or else there were multiple copies available in the community. That a copy was available for study rather than remembered text (even though this text is remembered, as there is no indication of consulting the text at this time) is evidenced by the change in the priests under Noah. Those who might have been charged with remembering scriptures were removed, and these new priests needed a way of learning the texts. The last question that must be asked of this section of text is why this particular question was posed to Abinadi. We must suppose that since the priests of Noah were trying to "cross" Abinadi, that the question was not asked because they sincerely wanted to understand the answer. There must be some conflict hidden in the text which would show a difference between Abinadi and the priests that they could use against him. Thus somehow, this text is one where they saw a religious difference that they thought they could use to their advantage. What was it? Of course we do not have sufficient information to know for certain, but there are some possibilities that can at least give us a frame in which we can see the verbal combat arising. Context 1: Noah's people as a victorious Jerusalem versus Abinadi's future calamities. The text that is specifically cited deals with a triumphant Jerusalem. The watchmen are shouting for joy, and the Lord "hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem." In the context of the earlier victory over the Lamanites, Noah's realm appears to be in a period of peace. It would not be unusual for the priests to associate themselves with Jerusalem, and apply this verse to their present conditions. If the priests were using this text as a proof of the current protection of the Lord over their people, that would place Abinadi in a position of denying scripture. Thus in this context, the question is asked to contrast the current favor and peace with Abinadi's dire predictions. This is essentially the position John W. Welch takes:
Context 2: This context is a little harder to see, because it presumes that both the priests and Abinadi knew the surrounding context of the verses rather than the verses themselves. This is not hard to presume, as the appear to be able to cite scripture at will. When the particular text is cited, it comes with the implicit connections to the surrounding texts. Indeed, Abinadi's response strongly suggests that he understood this linkage to the larger context, because his response cites Isaiah 53, which is a continuation of the text message of 52 from which this text arises. If this is the context of the question, then we may be seeing a repeat of the Sherem/Jacob conflict. Abinadi's response clearly proclaims the Messiah. If Noah's priests understand the Law the way Sherem did, then they would preach the Law of Moses (as they proclaim in verse 28) but deny the role of the Messiah. With their Nephite heritage, however, they would surely have known of the Messianic emphasis of Nephite religion, and expected that Abinadi would interpret this text Messianically. We may presume that the priests would have denied the Messianic nature of the text, and used that conflict of interpretation to condemn Abinadi. See Jacob 7 for the debate between Jacob and Sherem. It is interesting to note that not only do we see a recurrence of the polygamy issue when these people return to the culture area of the land of Nephi, but also perhaps a return to the religious philosophy of Sherem, who was a man of that culture area. We may be seeing a particular form of religious synthesis adopted by the Lamanites of that particular region.
25 And now 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?
26 I say unto you, wo 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.
27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people? Mosiah 12:28 28 And they said: We teach the law of Moses.
I have suggested that the significant difference in the Noah rule over that of his father, Zeniff, is that Noah has adopted aspects of a foreign culture and religion. While this incursion of foreign elements is the source for their "whoredoms" and "idolatry," it could not have come at the complete abandonment of all of the culture/religion of the people prior to that time. Change rarely works this way (even under the duress of outright conquest the conquered peoples still attempt to retain some of their previous culture and religion). Thus the incursion of new ideas into the society was overlaid on the foundation of the Mosaic law, and doubtless justified through it. It is entirely conceivable that the multiple wives was justified by Solomon and David, just as occurred during Jacob's time. The conceptual foundation of the people was the law of Moses, even though it had been interpreted to allow the entrance of the elements that Mormon found distasteful, and against which Abinadi is directly preaching. Nevertheless, we should not presume that the power of the idea of living the law of Moses was diminished. Thus when Abinadi asks what is preached, the quick answer is the law of Moses. In the minds of the priests this should put Abinadi at the disadvantage. What they are attempting to do is place themselves as defenders of the law of Moses, and by contrast, Abinadi would have to be against the law of Moses, and therefore culpable. Of course, the tactic does not work, and Abinadi turns up the pressure on the priests of Noah. Variant: The 1830 text for verse 27 reads "… therefore what teachest thou this people.." (emphasis added). This has been changed to "therefore what teach ye this people…" (emphasis added. Book of Mormon Critical Text. FARMS 1987, p. 428). The shift from "thou" to "ye" is needed grammatically because Abinadi is addressing a group of people, and "thou" is the singular form. There is no significant meaning lost through the change, and in fact, the modern usage must reflect the underlying text better than the 1830's version. The fact is that a native speaker would not make this type of mistake, but Joseph could easily make the error since this form of English was not native to him. As with other similar types of errors in the Book of Mormon text, the best suggestion is that the translation method allowed for some participation of Joseph's language, while remaining faithful to the general meaning of the underlying text.
29 And again he said unto them: 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?
Abinadi gives a list of ways in which they priests are in violation of the law of Moses:
Abinadi's first accusation certainly sounds bad, but how is it a violation of the law of Moses? There is nothing in the law of Moses that prevents people from being well-to-do. There is nothing that suggests that poverty is preferable. To get a better idea of what Abinadi is suggesting, we need only look at the other two examples we have to this point in the Book of Mormon where men of God have railed against riches. Jacob clearly objects not to riches, but to the unequal distribution of riches (see Jacob 2:17-19). Benjamin has the same concern, and specifically discusses the responsibility of those who have toward those who do not (see Mosiah 4:16-25). Abinadi is following what appears to be a consistent Nephite reading of the law of Moses, that it desires the common good of the people, and counsels against the social and economic separation that riches can bring. It is this principle that the priests are violating. That they might have riches is not the issue, but that their hearts are upon them. They desire the riches, power, and position. They desire to be placed above the populace (remember that they are even seated above those who come before them - Mosiah 11:11). It is this inequality that is the violation of the law as the Nephite prophets interpret it. The second accusation concerns whoredoms and harlots. As has been discussed previously, this presumes social definitions. It is virtually certain (though unstated) that the priests of Noah justified their multiple wives on the basis of Solomon and David, as did the Nephites who first lived in Nephi during Jacob's times. Once again, Abinadi is preaching against the specifics, and in this case most likely the marriage to outside women and the adoption of foreign religious practices that may have included ritual sex acts. These are not simply moral sins, but open acts of rebellion against God. The last accusation is that the priests are teaching these things to the people. Clearly the priests have been the means of integrating the new practices into the inherited religion of the people. Their task has been to find ways, such as an appear to David and Solomon, to ease the entrance of these new ideas. In this role, the priests are directly at fault for the beliefs of the people, who have been swayed by them, and now believe enough that they would not only not recognize a prophet of God, but would willingly turn him over to his inevitable death. In this accusation, Abinadi foreshadows Christ's teaching on the Sermon on the Mount: "Matt. 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven…"
30 Know ye not that I speak the truth? Yea, ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God. Mosiah 12:31 31 And it shall come to pass that 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? Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?
Rhetorical: Once again Abinadi attacks the priests directly. Just as they thought to lay a verbal trap for Abinadi, Abinadi lays one for them. He asks if salvation comes through the law of Moses. Abinadi knows what they will say, and this question goes to the crux of the apostasy of the Noahite priests and peoples. Abinadi knows that salavation comes only through the Messiah, and know that they have known this in the past. It was taught to them at one time. However, the priests have altered the teachings, and as Sherem did, removed the Messiah from the picture, holding only to the law of Moses. Abinadi will highlight and condemn this position.
32 And they answered and said that salvation did come by the law of Moses.
33 But now Abinadi said unto them: I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved; yea, if ye keep the commandments which the Lord delivered unto Moses in the mount of Sinai, saying:
34 I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Mosiah 12:35 35 Thou shalt have no other God before me. Mosiah 12:36 36 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath.
Ex. 20:2-4 2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: (the words in italics are emphasized to note the locations of the differences between Abinadi and the KJV text). The deletion of "that is" is a simplification procedure. This is a case where a change is made that is not related to italicized words in the KJV (Book of Mormon Critical Text. FARMS 1987, p. 431). There is very little specific that can be gleaned from this change, other than the confirmation that the KJV text was not copied directly and completely faithfully. The more interesting change is the shift from the plural "gods" of the KJV to the "God" of Abinadi. This may be a simple change similar to the reduction of the "that is" clauses, a simple shortening of the text. However, it is also possible that in the context of Abinadi before the priests of Noah. To understand this possible context, we must remember that the priests of Noah were synthesizing the old religion with elements of the new religion. One of the fundamental principles of the law of Moses was the belief in the One God. That belief is so fundamental that it would be impossible to alter in a single generation from Zeniff to Noah (even assuming that there were converts from polytheistic cultures among them - the converts might be accustomed to multiple gods, but would have willingly given them up. Such people tend to be even more protective of their new religious principles). It is therefore likely that the priests of Noah had not mixed in new gods. What they had done was to so alter the law as to effectively deny the one. This is Abinadi's accusation. Abinadi may have very consciously recited the verse with God in the singular because it would be easy for the priests to deny that they worshipped multiple gods. However, the accusation isn't in multiple gods, but rather that they have perverted the worship of the One God.
37 Now Abinadi said unto them, Have ye done all this? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not. And have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? I say unto you, Nay, ye have not.
Textual: The modern chapter break at this point is unfortunate. It does not exist in the 1830 edition, and this interruption creates too much conceptual distance between this remarkable accusation and the effect of that accusation upon the priests of Noah. This chapter should always be read with the next one for the sense of the power of the argument and drama of the situation. |
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| by Brant Gardner. Copyright 1999 |
Mosiah
11:29
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