Lesson 18

#18 “God Himself…shall Redeem His People”
Mosiah 12-17

Okay I’m going to name someone in the scriptures and you tell me what their main calling was.
Noah-----Preach Repentance, gather animals to put on ark and establish life again.
Moses---lead Israelites out of Egypt, teach them in the wilderness, purify them.
Lehi----warn Israelites of destruction and go to promised Land.
Esther----go before king and plead for her people.
Samuel the Lamanite----preach on wall while being shot at.
Joseph Smith---restore all church keys, Book of Mormon etc.
Brigham Young-----Lead Saints into the Salt Lake Valley
Abinadi----Preach before king Noah

When you hear these names and read about what they accomplished what are some attributes or characteristics or talents you would put with their names? Courage, Strong, great preacher, patient, close to the spirit, leader, animal charmer, etc.
Here are some more that we don’t always think about but are still very much a part of who they were: Human, husband, father, grandfather, mother, young, adopted, farm boy, carpenter, except Lehi, none of them had much money-or we have no record of it. They all came from humble beginnings (Now this isn’t to say that all prophets and good people are poor) That’s not what this is about, just humble, hard-working people.

The Point being- These great men and women are still just men and women, no different than you or I. They still got scared, had insecurities, and weaknesses just like we do. As great as these people were (are) we are too, and can accomplish just as wonderful and great things in our own worlds.

How do we do that? We start with the Small things! Are all of you willing to do a little missionary work? For this work, you won’t have to leave your chair; all you have to do is write. I went around this week to every youths home, got their picture and asked them questions about their interests and lives. These kids struggle with what their potential really is and struggle to know if this church is true. They could use your help. I’ve put together a little letter to them from us. The thing is, you have to finish it. Under the paragraph on the letter I want you to write 1 or 2 sentences to each youth, compliment them, tell them how good they are, tell them thanks for specific things, speaking in Sacrament, preparing, blessing, passing the sacrament, how reverent and respectful you’ve noticed they are. Tell them anything, think to yourself what did I need at a tough time in my life? These kids need us, they need to feel appreciated and loved by us. They only need positive ones!!!(Bring good tidings of peace and good to them) Don’t use this letter to teach or lecture. They get enough of that from home. If there is so much as a “I wish you would…” I will cross it off with a permanent marker. When we’re done we’re going to mail it to them. Everyone loves to get fun mail.

You never know perhaps your 1 comment will be the one that gets to them.
Start passing- oh, you can either sign or name or not it’s up to you.
I believe Abinadi felt the same as you might be feeling – my comment won’t matter much.
Mos. 12:1 It says that Abinadi came back to preach a 2nd time-he had to come back in disguise so they wouldn’t recognize him. Perhaps he felt like “I’ve already preached here, and they didn’t listen, then why would they now? I’d rather stay with my family.”
But he was obedient to the Lord-you see the Lord knew He would touch Alma’s heart. Abinadi didn’t know that.

The thing I love about Abinadi is he came with power-He didn’t just say “hey guys-really you need to repent and do good or you may get in trouble”
He said something way more powerful and blunt.12:2 He completely lays it all out there for them and their king. What does he say about their King? 12:3-That His life will be valued as a garment in a hot furnace. He goes on and on-His language isn’t soft at all, in fact it gets worse as he goes, and what does that get him? 12:9 &18 an audience with the king.
He astounds them with his words12:19 They try to impress upon Abinadi that they are spiritual by quoting scriptures to him, and at the same time discredit him by calling him a doomsayer-saying prophets are supposed to rejoice and bring good tidings, where are those words? He’s quick and picks up their 1st question. 12:20-“What meaneth these things?” (in the scriptures they just quoted) Instead of taking their sarcasm He decides to answer their question in a huge way, but 1st he decides to reprimand them 12:25 you are priests and yet 12:26 you are perverting the ways of the Lord.

They say 12:29 we preach law of moses.
*Now we see here what knowing and living(his life experiences) and studying the gospel can do-it keeps Him quick on his feet and he has a sure understanding of what he’s talking about. 12:30-“If you teach the commandments, why don’t you live what you preach, because that is where the real sermon is.”
*The power of God-when He (the Lord) gives us calling we go forth with His power-power to do anything we need to do to get done the job we are asked to do!!!
*Abinadi is a true prophet and this is one way we know that he will now discern their thoughts and hearts.
12:30 “Yea-ye know that I speak the truth!” He continues and in Chapter 13 the king has had enough 13:1-2 they try and take him and that’s when we really see what the Lord will do for us when we are on His errand-He gives us the strength and power to withstand anything or anyone that tries to come up against u, before our callings and influences are through.
13:3-9(Have class members read these 1 at a time)
*After he rehearses the commandments, he then speaks of Christ, His life, and atoning sacrifice. (Chapters 14 & 15)

*just a side note-think of Alma sitting there listening as he (Abinadi) just told them of all the commandments they haven’t kept-how desperate, guilty, and hopeless he must be feeling. As with all messengers of the gospel, they and we should bring glad tidings-good news-hope to people who have none- and he (Abinadi) delivers in a big way!!(Just like we hope to do with our letters to our youth)
He (Abinadi) speaks of the atonement and all that it can do for Alma and Us!!(ch. 14 &15)
*After delivering hope then he gives Alma, and us a chance to answer for ourselves-a very important question-this question determines how and what our lives will look like.

15:10 Who shall be His (Christ’s) seed? Will you? He then tells us and Alma if we will be his seed-this is what His seed looks like.
15:11 we hear the prophets and hearken to them, look forward to the day of repentance,
15:12 whose sins He (Christ) has borne-because I have accepted the atonement and applied it in my life, we who accept and are grateful for His death
15:14 Finally His seed are those who publish peace-who bring good tidings to those around us-even to the youth who struggle.
Then 15:15 He answers their question from 12:20-What meaneth the words of Isaiah? 15:16-17 Those who do and will continue to publish peace! (through living their lives in a righteous way) Those are whose feet are beautiful upon the mountains!
(Na na na)

*We publish good by small acts of service and missionary work that starts small and gets larger and encompass more people-the braver we get! How?
President Benson said this is how: “Christ changes men, (and women) changed men (and women) can change the world. Men (and women) changed for Christ will be captained by Christ…Men (and women) captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ…Their will is swallowed up in His will. (john5:30) They do always those things that please the Lord (john 8:29) Not only would they die for the Lord, but, more important, they want to live for Him” Ensign Nov. 1985

As we know in chapter 17 Alma is his only know convert and we know that and Abinadi knows that now but He didn’t know it then, he died not knowing that. That 1 convert turned into many! I love the story in the manual p83 about the missionary who told his Mission president that baptizing 1 small 12 yr. old was a mission failed. But in reality when that 1 boy converts’ life was followed it was discovered that he in turn brought many to the gospel. This is like our service-our 1 comment or act may not do anything, but then again, it may mean the world to these youth! You may never know how it will turn out, but one thing is certain, if we don’t do SOMETHING, we will never be the instrument the Lord needs us to be! In know we can make a difference. Just like Abinadi did, in the Life of Alma-In the Name of Jesus Christ AMEN.