Abinadi

This paper examines Abinadi, the surrounding story and as a type and a shadow of things which are to come. In the Hebrew the word: Abi means Father or Father of Adoni means my Lord is righteous or my Lord Let me set-up the story, briefly, so we can see what is going on at the time Abinidi comes on the scene. Zeniff came up out of the land of Zarahemla which was the land of their fathers, who was made a king by the voice of the people (Mosiah 7:9). Noah is conferred the Kingdom by his father Zenniff (Mosiah 11:1) and he began to reign in his stead. Zeniff kept the commandments of God and his son Noah did not (Mosiah 11:2). Noah walked after the desires of his own heart (See Babylon definition D&C 1:16). On the other hand, Abinadi does not have a history of where he came from and he began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord-Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger (and Mosiah 11:20) Maybe if we keep in mind his Hebrew name origin it may give us clues of who he is and what his mission was. Now at the beginning of Abinadis entrance, King Noah makes a curious statement Who is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him, or who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction? (Mosiah 11:27). The statement that Who is Abinadi and who is the Lord are in parallel with one another which suggests that they are the same person. Things get really interesting in Mosiah 12:1 when Abinadi came among them in disguise and they knew him not especially when just two years before he went forth among them, and began to prophesy unto the people (Mosiah 11:20). The Hebrew word for disguise from several words chaphas {khaw-fas'} 1) to be searched for, be sought out 2) to let oneself be searched for nakar {naw-kar'} 1) to recognise, acknowledge, know, respect, discern, regard 2) to be recognised

3) pay attention to, pay regard to, notice 4) to recognise (as formerly known), perceive 'alaph {aw-laf'} 1) to cover shana {shaw-naw'} 1) to be changed shanah {shaw-naw'} 1) to repeat, do again, change, alter 2) to be repeated 3) to be changed Brother Nibley in reference about Abinadis disguise says that is a common device of the prophets, and angels do it. We are told that men have often entertained angels unawares. And the Lord himself was not recognized. Its a way to get an audience. (Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Honors Book of Mormon Class at BYU, 1988-1990.) Could the following Messianic patterns of Abinadi give us insights as to the real story of Christ Crucifixion or gives us additional events not sighted in the Gospels or scriptures? Keep in mind when reviewing this list as to the events of Christ AND who this Abinadi that is disguised. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) for [they] shall know that I am the Lord. (Mosiah 12:3) (Christ Parallels John 8:28) they took him and carried him bound before the king (Mosiah 12:9) (Christ Parallel Matthew 27:11) we deliver him into thy hands; thou mayest do with him as seemeth thee good. (Mosiah 12:16) he [king Noah] commanded that the priests should gather themselves together that he might hold a council with them what he should do with him. (Mosiah 12:17) (Christ Parallels Matthew 26:59) Bring him hither that we may question him; and the king commanded that he should be brought before them. (Mosiah 12:18) 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. (Mosiah 12:19) (Christ Parallel Matthew 26:59) 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

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to know of me what these things mean? (Mosiah 12:25) Remember that in Revelation 19:10 it says that the spirit of prophesy is the testimony of Jesus. What is Abinadi really saying here? Could he be referring to himself as Jesus Christ, the Father, or some other Messianic person like the Arm of the Lord? 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. (Mosiah 12:26) And now when the king had heard these words, he said unto his priests: Away with this fellow, and slay him; for what have we to do with him, for he is mad. (Mosiah 13:1) And they stood forth and attempted to lay their hands on him; but he withstood them (Mosiah 13:2) Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver ; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time . (Mosiah 13:3) (Christ parallel John 7:6, Matthew 24:6, John 8:20) But I must fulfil the commandments wherewith God has commanded me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry with me. And again, because I have spoken the word of God ye have judged me that I am mad. (Mosiah 13:4) (Christ parallel John 5:19) the people of king Noah durst not lay their hands on him, for the Spirit of the Lord was upon him; and his face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord. (Mosiah 13:5) But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved. (Mosiah 13:9) But this much I tell you, what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come . (Mosiah 13:10) I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses. (Mosiah 13:27)

Now Abinadi goes on to say that that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man (Mosiah 13:34) and that all the prophets have testified of the coming of the Messiah (Mosiah 13:33-35). The question I ask is why did Abinadi lead us in this direction towards Christ life and ? Mosiah 14:1