We find another echo of Paul in Abinidi who speaks of the
resurrection when “this mortal shall put on immortality and this corruption
shall put on incorruption.” Chapter 16
of Mosiah is the last chapter of Abinidi’s final testimony. The resurrection here is a prelude to the
judgement, which has a place in Abinidi’s summary of what life is all about.
First,
since the Fall of our first parents (v.3), “all mankind” are in a “lost and
fallen state” (v.4). They are “carnal, sensual,
devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil”
(v.3). No one can escape from this
condition unaided (v. 13).
Second, the
Atonement offers us a way out. “God
redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state,” a redemption that
“cometh through Christ the Lord,” who is the life and light of the world and is
the only way man can be saved (v. 4, 9, 13, 15).
Third, the
atonement is an offer, not an irresistible force. The Lord extends his “arms of mercy,” warns
of our iniquities, and commands us to repent (v. 12). To accept the atonement means to “hearken
unto the voice of the Lord” (v. 2), “tremble and repent of [our] sins” (v. 12),
“depart from them” (v. 12) and “[call] upon the Lord” (v. 12).
If we fail
to take advantage of the offer, it is for us “as though there was no redemption
made” (v. 5). If we will not hearken (v.
2), persist in our carnal nature, go on in the ways of sin and rebellion
against God (v. 5), go according to our own carnal wills and desires, not calling
upon the Lord, if we will not to accept the arms of mercy extended towards us,
and will no repent and depart from our sins (v. 12) the consequences are
horrific. We are carnal and devilish and
the devil has power over us (v. 3), we are an enemy to God (v. 5) just like the
being who now rules over us, and at the resurrection we are delivered up to the
devil who has subjected us (v. 11). We
experience damnation – a stoppage of our divine potential to progress.
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