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This was a Christmas present from one of my daughters.
(Sorry for the poor lighting)
A Thread:
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(Sorry for the poor lighting)
A Thread:
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For those that aren't familiar with the story behind the picture, this is a representation of a Nephite prophet - Abinadi - preaching to wicked King Noah.
(This story is found in the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon).
For those that aren't familiar with the story behind the picture, this is a representation of a Nephite prophet - Abinadi - preaching to wicked King Noah.
(This story is found in the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon).
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My prayerful studies of the Book of Mormon - both the text itself and the writings of scholars over the years - have led me to this conclusion:
Abinadi was instrumental in saving the Nephite nation, both spiritually & temporally.
Here's why:
My prayerful studies of the Book of Mormon - both the text itself and the writings of scholars over the years - have led me to this conclusion:
Abinadi was instrumental in saving the Nephite nation, both spiritually & temporally.
Here's why:
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By all accounts, Abinadi did not seem to have a "successful mission"...
While he was able to deliver his message to King Noah and to his priests - leaving them without excuse - Abinadi did not seem to have many followers from the people, either due to fear or disbelief.
By all accounts, Abinadi did not seem to have a "successful mission"...
While he was able to deliver his message to King Noah and to his priests - leaving them without excuse - Abinadi did not seem to have many followers from the people, either due to fear or disbelief.
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The only clear example of a convert was that of a young priest - Alma the Elder (in his mid-20's) - who initially objected to how Abinadi was disrespected.
Alma's objections were met with expulsion from the high court and being pursued into the wilderness.
The only clear example of a convert was that of a young priest - Alma the Elder (in his mid-20's) - who initially objected to how Abinadi was disrespected.
Alma's objections were met with expulsion from the high court and being pursued into the wilderness.
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A spiritual conversion transpired in the wilderness for Alma, despite Abinadi becoming an early martyr for Christ
We don't know much about what happened to Alma, other than remorse that he had not done more and then the endeavor to write the words of Abinadi down from memory
A spiritual conversion transpired in the wilderness for Alma, despite Abinadi becoming an early martyr for Christ
We don't know much about what happened to Alma, other than remorse that he had not done more and then the endeavor to write the words of Abinadi down from memory
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Soon after, Alma figuratively picked up the mantle of Abinadi and began to preach the word of God to the people.
Followers soon became converted, where they subsequently entered into a baptismal covenant to follow Jesus (Jehovah).
Soon after, Alma figuratively picked up the mantle of Abinadi and began to preach the word of God to the people.
Followers soon became converted, where they subsequently entered into a baptismal covenant to follow Jesus (Jehovah).
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This sway of the people came to the attention of King Noah who unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish this group once and for all. To no avail.
This sway of the people came to the attention of King Noah who unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish this group once and for all. To no avail.
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From there, it was several years of wandering and servitude, until the people of Alma rejoined the main Nephite civilization under the welcoming arms of King Mosiah.
From there, it was several years of wandering and servitude, until the people of Alma rejoined the main Nephite civilization under the welcoming arms of King Mosiah.
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Here's the reason:
Many hundreds of years later, Mormon, the main historian/editor for whom the Book is named after, compiled several accounts of both the teachings and manifestations of Christ, as well as the Nephite history.
Here's the reason:
Many hundreds of years later, Mormon, the main historian/editor for whom the Book is named after, compiled several accounts of both the teachings and manifestations of Christ, as well as the Nephite history.
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Out of all the stories he decided to include (and decided not to include), he purposely inserted the three-generational story of a small group of people that left the main body of the Nephite civilization.
Why?
Out of all the stories he decided to include (and decided not to include), he purposely inserted the three-generational story of a small group of people that left the main body of the Nephite civilization.
Why?
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Much of this story surrounds the events of a supposed "unsuccessful" missionary who may not have known anyone had believed his words.
While I know that Abinadi was faithful enough to seal his testimony with his blood, he probably didn't realize the full outcome of his work.
Much of this story surrounds the events of a supposed "unsuccessful" missionary who may not have known anyone had believed his words.
While I know that Abinadi was faithful enough to seal his testimony with his blood, he probably didn't realize the full outcome of his work.
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And here's the kicker: "Because of the difference one man made", we are blessed to have the Book of Mormon.
Why?
And here's the kicker: "Because of the difference one man made", we are blessed to have the Book of Mormon.
Why?
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Because Abinadi stood up and made a difference, and the only known convert we have is Alma the Elder, who later became the High Priest in the Nephite civilization.
From there we get the story of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah.
Because Abinadi stood up and made a difference, and the only known convert we have is Alma the Elder, who later became the High Priest in the Nephite civilization.
From there we get the story of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah.
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And thus begins a succession of prophets several generations down to Mormon and ultimately to Moroni. These prophets not only prophesied about Christ, but also witnessed Him in the flesh.
And thus begins a succession of prophets several generations down to Mormon and ultimately to Moroni. These prophets not only prophesied about Christ, but also witnessed Him in the flesh.
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We also have the story of the sons of Mosiah preaching to the Lamanites, whose sons would later defend the Western Front of the Nephite Civilization. (The events of this battle go into such intimate detail that one can envision how it "played" out).
We also have the story of the sons of Mosiah preaching to the Lamanites, whose sons would later defend the Western Front of the Nephite Civilization. (The events of this battle go into such intimate detail that one can envision how it "played" out).
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These sons of Mosiah were in a group led by Alma the Younger. The course of their lives are changed because he was the leader.
The events surrounding their story would have been far different, if Alma the Younger is not present.
These sons of Mosiah were in a group led by Alma the Younger. The course of their lives are changed because he was the leader.
The events surrounding their story would have been far different, if Alma the Younger is not present.
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In fact, I put it forth that Mormon recognized this, by seeing a "critical path" that NEEDED to happen to allow a believing generation to welcome Christ to the Americas.
Without this "critical path", we do not have that transformational event.
In fact, I put it forth that Mormon recognized this, by seeing a "critical path" that NEEDED to happen to allow a believing generation to welcome Christ to the Americas.
Without this "critical path", we do not have that transformational event.
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Over the years, I tried to instill in my kids, the difference that one person can make in the lives of others.
Their grandmother - my Mom - was such a person. If she does not go to California to work, she does not meet my Dad, who does not become converted to the gospel.
Over the years, I tried to instill in my kids, the difference that one person can make in the lives of others.
Their grandmother - my Mom - was such a person. If she does not go to California to work, she does not meet my Dad, who does not become converted to the gospel.
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If she does not say to my Dad, "maybe we should not go to parties that serve alcohol", my Dad would not have the courage to follow her words of wisdom.
If she does not say to my Dad, "maybe we should not go to parties that serve alcohol", my Dad would not have the courage to follow her words of wisdom.
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If she does not say, "let's raise our kids in the church", my Dad does not exercise his faith to join the Church.
My life and the lives of my siblings, my children and my grandchildren are much different than it is now.
If she does not say, "let's raise our kids in the church", my Dad does not exercise his faith to join the Church.
My life and the lives of my siblings, my children and my grandchildren are much different than it is now.
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So, this present my daughter gave to me, meant a lot to me. It also meant a lot that my daughter remembered that principle I tried to teach her and her siblings all these years.
So, this present my daughter gave to me, meant a lot to me. It also meant a lot that my daughter remembered that principle I tried to teach her and her siblings all these years.
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Now, the question comes to each of us: what difference will we make in the world? How will we share the gospel with those around us? Do we have the courage to stand up and be counted?
#CFM #HearHim #LightTheWorld #DezNat
Now, the question comes to each of us: what difference will we make in the world? How will we share the gospel with those around us? Do we have the courage to stand up and be counted?
#CFM #HearHim #LightTheWorld #DezNat
