Conversion includes a conscious decision to give up one’s former ways and change to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It requires a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire (see Mosiah 27:25–26).
Conversion seems to be a process, rather than an event, and comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith.
Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a rather quiet and personal miracle. The Book of Mormon provides the following descriptions of people who are converted to the Lord:
They desire to do good. (see Mosiah 5:2; Alma 13:12).
They do not rebel against the Lord. (see Alma 23:6-7).
They share the gospel. (see Enos 1:26; Mosiah 18:1; 27:32-37; Alma 10:1-12; 15:12).
They are filled with love. (see 4 Nephi 1:2, 15-17). (for more on this topic see “Conversion” at lds.org)
Deep conversion often comes after many trials and much testing (see Luke 22:32; D&C 112:12–13). There is perhaps no greater example of the principle of true conversion than that of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, or “People of Ammon”. (FYI: Dr. Hugh Nibley has found ‘a Semitic and common Indo-European root corresponding to “anti” that means “in the face of” or “facing,” as of one facing a mirror, and by extension either “one who opposes” or “one who imitates.”’ (Quoted in Eldin Ricks, Book of Mormon Study Guide, p. 63.) Thus the term ‘Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ might refer to those who imitate the teachings of the descendants of Nephi and Lehi” (Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon [1976], 209–10).)
The thousands of Lamanites who accepted the gospel demonstrate that conversion is a spiritual change—becoming a new being through the power of God. The scriptures describe the Anti-Nephi-Lehies as being so “converted unto the Lord” (see Alma 23:3,6,8,13; 24:6), that they “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies who were “converted to the Lord” made a covenant to lay down their weapons of war. They buried them deep in the earth as a testimony of their desire to change (Alma 24:17-18). The Amalekites and Amulonites, who were former Nephites, stirred up many unconverted Lamanites to anger against their king and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Many of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies sacrificed their lives rather than break their covenant with God (see Alma 24:6–19).
“Converted unto the Lord” (Highlights)
We can “bury” our “weapons of rebellion” by applying what President Spencer W. Kimball taught about abandoning sin:
“In abandoning sin one cannot merely wish for better conditions. He must make them. … He must be certain not only that he has abandoned the sin but that he has changed the situations surrounding the sin. He should avoid the places and conditions and circumstances where the sin occurred, for these could most readily breed it again. He must abandon the people with whom the sin was committed. He may not hate the persons involved but he must avoid them and everything associated with the sin. He must … build a new life. He must eliminate anything which would stir the old memories” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 171–72).
We have the primary responsibility for our own conversion. No one can be converted for us, and no one can force us to be converted. However, others can help us in the process of conversion. Our capacity to experience a mighty change of heart will increase as we strive to follow the Savior’s perfect example, study the scriptures, pray in faith, keep the commandments, and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. (see True to the Faith, “Conversion”)
“Converted unto the Lord” (Full)
Please leave your thoughts about a special verse, teaching, etc. that you enjoyed at one of the following:
God sends certain people into our lives to help us see the Savior more clearly (see Mosiah 14-16). I will refer to these people as “Abinadi’s”. They can be prophets (like the Abinadi in this account), or leaders, or parents, or teachers, or friends, or whomever the Lord chooses.
We don’t always appreciate the Abinadi’s God put in our lives. They can make us feel uncomfortable. Sometimes they point out things that we are doing wrong. But God sends Abinadi’s into our lives because He loves us and He is trying to save us. Unfortunately, many times we ignore the Abinadi’s that God sends. And sometimes we may even burn them! (See Mosiah 17 and Acts 6-7.)
If I could get one message across with this post it would be:
DON’T BURN YOUR ABINADI’S!
They are your friend, not your foe. We tend to burn our Abinadi’s when we confuse friends with fiends.
President Ezra Taft Benson, then the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave a talk entitled, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”.I feel that it is worth reviewing the headings for each of those fundamentals. Those who do not accept these fundamentals will eventually end up burning one of the most important Abinadi’s that the Lord has provided them–the living prophet. President Benson said that, “our salvation depends on them.” King Noah’s certainly did! Here they are:
1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.
Abinadi, in Mosiah 15–16, expounds upon the ways of life and death to King Noah and his wicked priests. In this provocative sermon, Abinadi warns Noah that obeying God also means following his prophets, namely, Abinadi. Abinadi preaches that if men and women do not listen to the voice, or mouthpiece, of the Lord, they necessarily follow the way of death. Abinadi also speaks of partial judgment before the resurrection, a concept not found in Alma’s, Jacob’s, and Benjamin’s speeches. (View PDF)
Fortunately there was ONE who was willing to listen to the Abinadi that God has sent (see Mosiah 17:2). His name was Alma (Tomorrow’s post will focus on the importance of this ONE believer). Eventually, even King Noah was about to succumb to the powerful preaching of Abinadi, but the wicked priest’s put on the peer pressure and King Noah “was stirred up in anger against [Abinadi], and he delivered him up that he might be slain.” (Mosiah 17:11-13)
This chart shows the lineage of Alma and approximate life spans of him and his descendants mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Alma’s conversion while listening to Abinadi (see Mosiah 18:1) and Alma’s baptism at the Waters of Mormon (see Mosiah 18:14) were important events for himself and for the Nephite civilization. Not only were Alma’s descendants able to receive the blessings of the gospel, but for over four hundred years many of them were key prophets and principal keepers of the plates of Nephi who in turn spread the gospel to the general population. (View PDF)
Of major significance is the feigned reason that King Noah and his wicked priests felt justified in slaying Abinadi. Abinadi had “said that God himself should come down among the children of men” (Mosiah 17:8) in the previous chapters. Abinadi understood that the law of Moses pointed the Christ, and he taught it plainly (see Mosiah 12:27–13:32; see also 2 Ne. 25:24–30; 3 Ne. 15:1–10; Gal. 3:19–24).
The following illustrations may be helpful in understanding and remembering what Abinadi taught in these chapters:
Because of transgression, the law of Moses was added to the gospel. The law of Moses was a preparatory gospel designed to lead people to Christ. This diagrams helps show how the law of Moses was added to bring the Israelites to Christ. The law of Moses included daily performances and ordinances to help bring the children of Israel to Christ. (Mosiah 13:30) For the spiritually less mature, the law of Moses was an effective way to bring Israel to Christ.
Sacrifice and Sacrament
NOTE: It was one year previous to this date in the translation process, on April 12, 1828 in Harmony, Pennsylvania that Martin Harris went to Joseph Smith’s home (in Harmony), where he began to help with the translation of what would become the 116 Book of Mormon pages from the book of Lehi that were lost. I find it very interesting that it was during pretty much the same time period in 1828 (mid-April to mid-June) that Joseph and Martin translated the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon known to us as the Book of Lehi. Just one year later, Joseph would translate the entire remaining unsealed portion of the Book of Mormon in almost the same amount of time, but with even greater persecution and interruptions. Here is a brief summary from the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Study Guide for Home Study Seminary Students of what led up to this point:
From mid-April to mid-June 1828, the Prophet Joseph Smith was translating the gold plates while living in Harmony, Pennsylvania. A wealthy farmer and businessman named Martin Harris was acting as scribe while Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. Martin was 22 years older than Joseph and had given Joseph and Emma $50 (which was a substantial amount of money at that time) to relocate to Harmony, where Emma’s family lived, thus helping to support Joseph while he translated the plates. In February 1828, Joseph allowed Martin to take copies of characters from the plates to be authenticated by two professors in New York City (see Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65). Lucy Harris, Martin’s wife, had become increasingly concerned about Martin’s interest and financial involvement in the translation of the plates. She and others began to pressure Martin for evidence of the plates’ existence. To satisfy their concerns, in mid-June Martin requested that Joseph allow him to take the 116 pages of manuscript they had completed to show as evidence.
What do coach John Wooden and the prophet Abinadi have in common? Well, not much. But one thing that they do have in common is somewhat uncommon. They are both men who understand that success on the court (whether a basketball court or a court of wicked priests) begins with the basics!
John Wooden was the UCLA men’s basketball coach in the 1960’s and 70’s. One of the things that he is best know for is beginning with the basics as he trained his players. He did not presume that his players knew the basics. He started them all from scratch. One of the basics he taught them was the “right” way to tie their shoes. The “right” way was to begin with the RIGHT lace over the left. By tying their shoes in this way he wanted to emphasize doing things RIGHT. Before these seasoned players set foot on the court, they learned how to tie their shoes the “right” way. Silly? Maybe. But 10 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships (seven in a row from 1967-1973) make it seem like the “right” way to coach.
Abinadi seems to take the same approach with King Noah and his “court”. As the court of wicked priests question Abinadi on Isaiah’s “advanced-placement” doctrine, Abinadi brings them back to the basics of the gospel–the Ten Commandments. Abinadi knows what Cecil B. DeMille put so eloquently:
“Those who have eyes to see will see… the awful lesson of how quickly a nation or a man can fall without God’s law. If man will not be ruled by God, he will certainly be ruled by tyrants—and there is no tyranny more imperious or more devastating than man’s own selfishness, without the law. We cannot break the Ten Commandments. We can only break ourselves against them—or else, by keeping them, rise through them to the fullness of freedom under God. God means us to be free.” (Cecil B. DeMille, BYU Speeches of the Year, 31 May 1957. Emphasis added.)
You will witness the truth of this statement as you read through the account of the people of King Noah (Mosiah 11-19), as they choose to be blinded by a tyrant rather than to see a SEER (See-er, Moses 6:27, 35-36) of the Lord!
By the way, have you ever wondered which commandment is the most important? Hopefully the words of Jesus come to mind when you consider the answer (see Matthew 22:36-40). However, have you ever thought about it this way?
The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today. If it is one of dishonesty, if it is one of unchastity, if it is one of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you have been able to conquer that weakness. Put that aright and then you start on the next one that is most difficult for you to keep. That’s the way to sanctify yourself by keeping the commandments of God. (TEACHINGS OF PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH: HAROLD B. LEE, Chapter 4.)
I know that as we get “back to basics” and keep the “first and great commandment” to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” that we will have the desire and discipline to work on keeping the commandment that we are having the “most difficulty keeping” today. May our efforts to do so today reflect our love for God and His precious Son! (see John 14:15)
Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ
Did you notice how many times the word NAME appeared in Mosiah 5? 12 times in 8 verses is a pretty obvious clue as to the intent of King Benjamin’s message. So, to answer Juliet’s question, “What’s in a name?”, the gospel answer is, “EVERYTHING!” The following is an excerpt from one of my favorite essays that helps me to understand the significance of King Benjamin’s teachings about the importance taking and keeping of the “name” of Christ. If you read this before your sacrament meeting, I hope that it will help the ordinance to be a bit more meaningful for you today:
“We Who Owe Everything to a Name”
He wasn’t of particularly august origins. His natural father was a local from a town north of Rome, so he really didn’t have any great connections. He had met Caesar once. Caesar had obviously been impressed about some qualities that he saw in the young man for he adopted him as his son in the will and made him his chief heir. Now, I should point out that in Roman eyes the legal adoption of a person gave that person every claim not just to the property and patrimony of the adopting party, but also to the heritage, the political connections, the name, the dignitas, everything else that came with the adoption. The Romans really made no serious distinction between a natural and an adopted son. It wasn’t considered like the adopted son was an imposter or some kind of a late claimant. He was simply considered as if he had been born of the adopting party. And so Gaius Octavius, at that time, when he became adopted, took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. Historians refer to him as Octavian, but he called himself Caesar, son of Caesar, and that name made all the difference. The men who had been loyal to Caesar flocked to him. Slowly his power grew. Inevitably Mark Anthony and Octavian clashed, fought, and Anthony was beaten. Octavian became Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome, the man who ordered the census that took Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Fascinating! It was Cicero who recorded Mark Anthony’s comment on their fates. Octavian was “that boy, who owes everything to a name!” The phrase reverberated in my mind and heart. Didn’t I owe everything to a name? Hadn’t my father given me the good life I had by making me his, by adopting me? It was later that I discovered the Apostle Paul’s use of the term adoption in reference to our relationship with Christ. The word adopt or adoption does not appear in the Old Testament, with its kinship obligations to orphans, nor is it found in the Book of Mormon, whose laws and social customs were derivative of Mosaic Law. But Paul understood the implications of being an heir by adoption. He, though a Jew, was a Roman citizen in a Roman world. And he used the implications of Roman law to explain to the gentiles the inheritance they might receive through the gospel’s new covenant in Christ’s blood. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15)… It is Christ who makes us his heirs. He becomes our father, as King Benjamin explains: “Because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; . . . ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7). (Lynda Mackey Wilson, “We Who Owe Everything to a Name“, BYU Studies 47, no. 2 (2008))
This chiasm from Mosiah 5:10-12, discovered by John W. Welch in 1967, “successfully builds to its climax and intensifies its final exhortation against transgression by the striking introduction of these carefully chosen and intentionally reiterated terms.” Since the initial discovery of this chiasm, Welch and other scholars have extensively analyzed the presence of chiasmus and other Hebrew poetic structures in the Book of Mormon, including their important roles in communicating textual meanings as well as their significance for locating the book’s cultural and literary historicity.
Conversion includes a conscious decision to give up one’s former ways and change to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It requires a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire (see Mosiah 27:25–26).
Conversion seems to be a process, rather than an event, and comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith.
Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a rather quiet and personal miracle. The Book of Mormon provides the following descriptions of people who are converted to the Lord:
They desire to do good. (see Mosiah 5:2; Alma 13:12).
They do not rebel against the Lord. (see Alma 23:6-7).
They share the gospel. (see Enos 1:26; Mosiah 18:1; 27:32-37; Alma 10:1-12; 15:12).
They are filled with love. (see 4 Nephi 1:2, 15-17). (for more on this topic see “Conversion” at lds.org)
Deep conversion comes after many trials and much testing (see Luke 22:32; D&C 112:12–13). There is perhaps no greater example of the principle of true conversion than that of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, or “People of Ammon”. (FYI: Dr. Hugh Nibley has found ‘a Semitic and common Indo-European root corresponding to anti that means “in the face of” or “facing,” as of one facing a mirror, and by extension either “one who opposes” or “one who imitates.”’ (Quoted in Eldin Ricks, Book of Mormon Study Guide, p. 63.) Thus the term ‘Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ might refer to those who imitate the teachings of the descendants of Nephi and Lehi” (Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon [1976], 209–10).)
The thousands of Lamanites who accepted the gospel demonstrate that conversion is a spiritual change—becoming a new being through the power of God. The scriptures describe the Anti-Nephi-Lehies as being so “converted unto the Lord” (see Alma 23:3,6,8,13; 24:6), that they “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies who were “converted to the Lord” made a covenant to lay down their weapons of war. They buried them deep in the earth as a testimony of their desire to change (Alma 24:17-18). The Amalekites and Amulonites, who were former Nephites, stirred up many unconverted Lamanites to anger against their king and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Many of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies sacrificed their lives rather than break their covenant with God (see Alma 24:6–19).
“Converted unto the Lord” (Highlights)
We can “bury” our “weapons of rebellion” by applying what President Spencer W. Kimball taught about abandoning sin:
“In abandoning sin one cannot merely wish for better conditions. He must make them. … He must be certain not only that he has abandoned the sin but that he has changed the situations surrounding the sin. He should avoid the places and conditions and circumstances where the sin occurred, for these could most readily breed it again. He must abandon the people with whom the sin was committed. He may not hate the persons involved but he must avoid them and everything associated with the sin. He must … build a new life. He must eliminate anything which would stir the old memories” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 171–72).
We have the primary responsibility for our own conversion. No one can be converted for us, and no one can force us to be converted. However, others can help us in the process of conversion. Our capacity to experience a mighty change of heart will increase as we strive to follow the Savior’s perfect example, study the scriptures, pray in faith, keep the commandments, and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. (see True to the Faith, “Conversion”)
Rekindling the Flame of Faith
“Converted unto the Lord” (Full)
Please leave your thoughts about a special verse, teaching, etc. that you enjoyed at one of the following:
God sends certain people into our lives to help us see the Savior more clearly (see Mosiah 14-16). I will refer to these people as “Abinadi’s”. They can be prophets (like the Abinadi in this account), or leaders, or parents, or teachers, or friends, or whomever the Lord chooses.
We don’t always appreciate the Abinadi’s God put in our lives. They can make us feel uncomfortable. Sometimes they point out things that we are doing wrong. But God sends Abinadi’s into our lives because He loves us and He is trying to save us. Unfortunately, many times we ignore the Abinadi’s that God sends. And sometimes we may even burn them! (See Mosiah 17 and Acts 6-7.)
If I could get one message across with this post it would be:
DON’T BURN YOUR ABINADI’S!
They are your friend, not your foe. We tend to burn our Abinadi’s when we confuse friends with fiends.
President Ezra Taft Benson, then the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave a talk entitled, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”. I feel that it is worth reviewing the headings for each of those fundamentals. Those who do not accept these fundamentals will eventually end up burning one of the most important Abinadi’s that the Lord has provided them–the living prophet. President Benson said that, “our salvation depends on them.” King Noah’s certainly did! Here they are:
1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.
Abinadi, in Mosiah 15–16, expounds upon the ways of life and death to King Noah and his wicked priests. In this provocative sermon, Abinadi warns Noah that obeying God also means following his prophets, namely, Abinadi. Abinadi preaches that if men and women do not listen to the voice, or mouthpiece, of the Lord, they necessarily follow the way of death. Abinadi also speaks of partial judgment before the resurrection, a concept not found in Alma’s, Jacob’s, and Benjamin’s speeches. (View PDF)
Fortunately there was ONE who was willing to listen to the Abinadi that God has sent (see Mosiah 17:2). His name is Alma (Tomorrow’s post will focus on the importance of this ONE believer). Eventually, even King Noah was about to succumb to the powerful preaching of Abinadi, but the wicked priest’s put on the peer pressure and King Noah “was stirred up in anger against [Abinadi], and he delivered him up that he might be slain.” (Mosiah 17:11-13)
This chart shows the lineage of Alma and approximate life spans of him and his descendants mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Alma’s conversion while listening to Abinadi (see Mosiah 18:1) and Alma’s baptism at the Waters of Mormon (see Mosiah 18:14) were important events for himself and for the Nephite civilization. Not only were Alma’s descendants able to receive the blessings of the gospel, but for over four hundred years many of them were key prophets and principal keepers of the plates of Nephi who in turn spread the gospel to the general population. (View PDF)
Of major significance is the feigned reason that King Noah and his wicked priests felt justified in slaying Abinadi. Abinadi had “said that God himself should come down among the children of men” (Mosiah 17:8) in the previous chapters. Abinadi understood that the law of Moses pointed the Christ, and he taught it plainly (see Mosiah 12:27–13:32; see also 2 Ne. 25:24–30; 3 Ne. 15:1–10; Gal. 3:19–24).
The following illustrations may be helpful in understanding and remembering what Abinadi taught in these chapters:
Because of transgression, the law of Moses was added to the gospel. The law of Moses was a preparatory gospel designed to lead people to Christ. This diagrams helps show how the law of Moses was added to bring the Israelites to Christ.
The law of Moses included daily performances and ordinances to help bring the children of Israel to Christ. (Mosiah 13:30) For the spiritually less mature, the law of Moses was an effective way to bring Israel to Christ.
What do coach John Wooden and the prophet Abinadi have in common? Well, not much. But one thing that they do have in common is somewhat uncommon. They are both men who understand that success on the court (whether a basketball court or a court of wicked priests) begins with the basics!
John Wooden was the UCLA men’s basketball coach in the 1960’s and 70’s. One of the things that he is best know for is beginning with the basics as he trained his players. He did not presume that his players knew the basics. He started them all from scratch. One of the basics he taught them was the “right” way to tie their shoes. The “right” way was to begin with the RIGHT lace over the left. By tying their shoes in this way he wanted to emphasize doing things RIGHT. Before these seasoned players set foot on the court, they learned how to tie their shoes the “right” way. Silly? Maybe. But 10 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships (seven in a row from 1967-1973) make it seem like the “right” way to coach.
Abinadi seems to take the same approach with King Noah and his “court”. As the court of wicked priests question Abinadi on Isaiah’s advanced-placement doctrine, Abinadi brings them back to the basics of the gospel–the Ten Commandments. Abinadi knows what Cecil B. DeMille put so eloquently:
“Those who have eyes to see will see… the awful lesson of how quickly a nation or a man can fall without God’s law. If man will not be ruled by God, he will certainly be ruled by tyrants—and there is no tyranny more imperious or more devastating than man’s own selfishness, without the law. We cannot break the Ten Commandments. We can only break ourselves against them—or else, by keeping them, rise through them to the fullness of freedom under God. God means us to be free.” (Cecil B. DeMille, BYU Speeches of the Year, 31 May 1957. Emphasis added.)
You will witness the truth of this statement as you read through the account of the people of King Noah (Mosiah 11-19), as they choose to be blinded by a tyrant rather than to see a SEER (See-er, Moses 6:27, 35-36) of the Lord!
By the way, have you ever wondered which commandment is the most important? Hopefully the words of Jesus come to mind when you consider the answer (see Matthew 22:36-40). However, have you ever thought about it this way?
The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today. If it is one of dishonesty, if it is one of unchastity, if it is one of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you have been able to conquer that weakness. Put that aright and then you start on the next one that is most difficult for you to keep. That’s the way to sanctify yourself by keeping the commandments of God. (TEACHINGS OF PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH: HAROLD B. LEE, Chapter 4.)
I know that as we get “back to basics” and keep the “first and great commandment” to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” that we will have the desire and discipline to work on keeping the commandment that we are having the “most difficulty keeping” today. May our efforts to do so today reflect our love for God and His precious Son! (see John 14:15)
Did you notice how many times the word NAME appeared in Mosiah 5? 12 times in 8 verses is a pretty obvious clue as to the intent of King Benjamin’s message. So, to answer Juliet’s question, “What’s in a name?”, the gospel answer is, “EVERYTHING!” The following is an excerpt from one of my favorite essays that helps me to understand the significance of King Benjamin’s teachings about the importance taking and keeping of the “name” of Christ. If you read this before your sacrament meeting, I hope that it will help the ordinance to be a bit more meaningful for you today:
“We Who Owe Everything to a Name”
He wasn’t of particularly august origins. His natural father was a local from a town north of Rome, so he really didn’t have any great connections. He had met Caesar once. Caesar had obviously been impressed about some qualities that he saw in the young man for he adopted him as his son in the will and made him his chief heir. Now, I should point out that in Roman eyes the legal adoption of a person gave that person every claim not just to the property and patrimony of the adopting party, but also to the heritage, the political connections, the name, the dignitas, everything else that came with the adoption. The Romans really made no serious distinction between a natural and an adopted son. It wasn’t considered like the adopted son was an imposter or some kind of a late claimant. He was simply considered as if he had been born of the adopting party. And so Gaius Octavius, at that time, when he became adopted, took the name Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. Historians refer to him as Octavian, but he called himself Caesar, son of Caesar, and that name made all the difference. The men who had been loyal to Caesar flocked to him. Slowly his power grew. Inevitably Mark Anthony and Octavian clashed, fought, and Anthony was beaten. Octavian became Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome, the man who ordered the census that took Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Fascinating! It was Cicero who recorded Mark Anthony’s comment on their fates. Octavian was “that boy, who owes everything to a name!” The phrase reverberated in my mind and heart. Didn’t I owe everything to a name? Hadn’t my father given me the good life I had by making me his, by adopting me? It was later that I discovered the Apostle Paul’s use of the term adoption in reference to our relationship with Christ. The word adopt or adoption does not appear in the Old Testament, with its kinship obligations to orphans, nor is it found in the Book of Mormon, whose laws and social customs were derivative of Mosaic Law. But Paul understood the implications of being an heir by adoption. He, though a Jew, was a Roman citizen in a Roman world. And he used the implications of Roman law to explain to the gentiles the inheritance they might receive through the gospel’s new covenant in Christ’s blood. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15)… It is Christ who makes us his heirs. He becomes our father, as King Benjamin explains: “Because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; . . . ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7). (Lynda Mackey Wilson, “We Who Owe Everything to a Name“, BYU Studies 47, no. 2 (2008))
This chiasm from Mosiah 5:10-12, discovered by John W. Welch in 1967, “successfully builds to its climax and intensifies its final exhortation against transgression by the striking introduction of these carefully chosen and intentionally reiterated terms.” Since the initial discovery of this chiasm, Welch and other scholars have extensively analyzed the presence of chiasmus and other Hebrew poetic structures in the Book of Mormon, including their important roles in communicating textual meanings as well as their significance for locating the book’s cultural and literary historicity.
Conversion includes a conscious decision to give up one’s former ways and change to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It requires a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire (see Mosiah 27:25–26).
Conversion seems to be a process, rather than an event, and comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith.
Although conversion is miraculous and life changing, it is a rather quiet and personal miracle. The Book of Mormon provides the following descriptions of people who are converted to the Lord:
They desire to do good. (see Mosiah 5:2; Alma 13:12).
They do not rebel against the Lord. (see Alma 23:6-7).
They share the gospel. (see Enos 1:26; Mosiah 18:1; 27:32-37; Alma 10:1-12; 15:12).
They are filled with love. (see 4 Nephi 1:2, 15-17). (for more on this topic see “Conversion” at lds.org)
Deep conversion comes after many trials and much testing (see Luke 22:32; D&C 112:12–13). There is perhaps no greater example of the principle of true conversion than that of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, or “People of Ammon”. (FYI: Dr. Hugh Nibley has found ‘a Semitic and common Indo-European root corresponding to anti that means “in the face of” or “facing,” as of one facing a mirror, and by extension either “one who opposes” or “one who imitates.”’ (Quoted in Eldin Ricks, Book of Mormon Study Guide, p. 63.) Thus the term ‘Anti-Nephi-Lehies’ might refer to those who imitate the teachings of the descendants of Nephi and Lehi” (Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon [1976], 209–10).)
The thousands of Lamanites who accepted the gospel demonstrate that conversion is a spiritual change—becoming a new being through the power of God. The scriptures describe the Anti-Nephi-Lehies as being so “converted unto the Lord” (see Alma 23:3,6,8,13; 24:6), that they “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies who were “converted to the Lord” made a covenant to lay down their weapons of war. They buried them deep in the earth as a testimony of their desire to change (Alma 24:17-18). The Amalekites and Amulonites, who were former Nephites, stirred up many unconverted Lamanites to anger against their king and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Many of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies sacrificed their lives rather than break their covenant with God (see Alma 24:6–19).
“Converted unto the Lord” (Highlights)
We can “bury” our “weapons of rebellion” by applying what President Spencer W. Kimball taught about abandoning sin:
“In abandoning sin one cannot merely wish for better conditions. He must make them. … He must be certain not only that he has abandoned the sin but that he has changed the situations surrounding the sin. He should avoid the places and conditions and circumstances where the sin occurred, for these could most readily breed it again. He must abandon the people with whom the sin was committed. He may not hate the persons involved but he must avoid them and everything associated with the sin. He must … build a new life. He must eliminate anything which would stir the old memories” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 171–72).
We have the primary responsibility for our own conversion. No one can be converted for us, and no one can force us to be converted. However, others can help us in the process of conversion. Our capacity to experience a mighty change of heart will increase as we strive to follow the Savior’s perfect example, study the scriptures, pray in faith, keep the commandments, and seek the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. (see True to the Faith, “Conversion”)
Rekindling the Flame of Faith
“Converted unto the Lord” (Full)
Please leave your thoughts about a special verse, teaching, etc. that you enjoyed at one of the following:
God sends certain people into our lives to help us see the Savior more clearly (see Mosiah 14-16). I will refer to these people as “Abinadi’s”. They can be prophets (like the Abinadi in this account), or leaders, or parents, or teachers, or friends, or whomever the Lord chooses.
We don’t always appreciate the Abinadi’s God put in our lives. They can make us feel uncomfortable. Sometimes they point out things that we are doing wrong. But God sends Abinadi’s into our lives because He loves us and He is trying to save us. Unfortunately, many times we ignore the Abinadi’s that God sends. And sometimes we may even burn them! (see Mosiah 17)
If I could get one message across with this post it would be:
DON’T BURN YOUR ABINADI’S!
They are your friend, not your foe. We tend to burn our Abinadi’s when we confuse friends with fiends.
President Ezra Taft Benson, then the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave a talk entitled, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet”. I feel that it is worth reviewing the headings for each of those fundamentals. Those who do not accept these fundamentals will eventually end up burning one of the most important Abinadi’s that the Lord has provided them–the living prophet. President Benson said that, “our salvation depends on them.” King Noah’s certainly did! Here they are:
1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.
Abinadi, in Mosiah 15–16, expounds upon the ways of life and death to King Noah and his wicked priests. In this provocative sermon, Abinadi warns Noah that obeying God also means following his prophets, namely, Abinadi. Abinadi preaches that if men and women do not listen to the voice, or mouthpiece, of the Lord, they necessarily follow the way of death. Abinadi also speaks of partial judgment before the resurrection, a concept not found in Alma’s, Jacob’s, and Benjamin’s speeches. (View PDF)
Fortunately there was ONE who was willing to listen to the Abinadi that God has sent (see Mosiah 17:2). His name is Alma (Tomorrow’s post will focus on the importance of this ONE believer). Eventually, even King Noah was about to succumb to the powerful preaching of Abinadi, but the wicked priest’s put on the peer pressure and King Noah “was stirred up in anger against [Abinadi], and he delivered him up that he might be slain.” (Mosiah 17:11-13)
This chart shows the lineage of Alma and approximate life spans of him and his descendants mentioned in the Book of Mormon. Alma’s conversion while listening to Abinadi (see Mosiah 18:1) and Alma’s baptism at the Waters of Mormon (see Mosiah 18:14) were important events for himself and for the Nephite civilization. Not only were Alma’s descendants able to receive the blessings of the gospel, but for over four hundred years many of them were key prophets and principal keepers of the plates of Nephi who in turn spread the gospel to the general population. (View PDF)
Of major significance is the feigned reason that King Noah and his wicked priests felt justified in slaying Abinadi. Abinadi had “said that God himself should come down among the children of men” (Mosiah 17:8) in the previous chapters. He understood that the law of Moses pointed the Christ, and he taught it plainly (see Mosiah 12:27–13:32; see also 2 Ne. 25:24–30; 3 Ne. 15:1–10; Gal. 3:19–24).
The following illustrations may be helpful in understanding and remembering what Abinadi taught in these chapters:
Because of transgression, the law of Moses was added to the gospel. The law of Moses was a preparatory gospel designed to lead people to Christ. This diagrams helps show how the law of Moses was added to bring the Israelites to Christ.
The law of Moses included daily performances and ordinances to help bring the children of Israel to Christ. (Mosiah 13:30) For the spiritually less mature, the law of Moses was an effective way to bring Israel to Christ.
Book of Mormon Translation Challenge 