Bright Swords

By Mel Harmon

BRIGHT SWORDS is an eighty seven year chronicle of certain inhabitants of ancient America; probably spanning a period from 160 b.c. to 73 b.c. and based upon narrative contained in a sacred scriptural record known as THE BOOK OF MORMON. Bright Swords speaks of hatred and sin, of idolatry and internecine warfare, but the principle message is a ringing testimony to the capacity of God's children to eschew wickedness and experience a mighty change of heart. Bright Swords teaches of conversion and repentance, of love and PEACE. Swords are made bright when they are not stained by the blood of brothers. Sweet is the peace the GOSPEL OF CHRIST brings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 12, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491828175

Mel Harmon

MEL HARMON is a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His church callings include: a two year mission to the Gulf States, which includes four months as Second Counselor in the Mission Presidency; a Seventy set apart by Gordon B. Hinckley, serving then as an Assistant to the Twelve, a Stake High Council member for eight and a half years; a Ward Mission Leader on two separate occasions for a total of five years; twice a Gospel Doctrine Instructor for a total of three years; twice an Investigator's Class Instructor for a total of nine years; a Home Teacher from age twelve; presently serving as an Instructor in his ward High Priest Group and as a Priesthood Meeting pianist. He is a graduate of Dixie Junior College, the University of Utah, and the inaugural National College of District Attorney's Course in Houston, Texas -- having earned Associate, Political Science, and Law degrees. He is a retired Trial Lawyer. Employed by the Clark County District Attorney's Office in Las Vegas, Nevada for twenty nine years. During his career he handled nearly three hundred felony trials, which included one hundred thirty six murder trials. He has been married for fifty one years to Jan Larey. Their Temple Marriage has been blessesd with four children and seven grandchildren. He has written two books concerning his legal career. They are entitled: "By The Sweat Of My Tongue" and "A Trout In The Milk".

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© 2013 by Mel Harmon. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse    11/05/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-2818-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-2816-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-2817-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013919066

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Part One

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Part Two

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Part Three

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Part Four

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Part Five

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Oh, how merciful is our God! And… since it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day… that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean…" (Alma 24: 15)

Part One

Thus Saith The Lord

Chapter 1

The battle with the Adversary is real. It is a war for the souls of mankind. The struggle against evil and its forces . . . is not a little skirmish with a half-willed antagonist, but a battle royal with an enemy so powerful, [so] entrenched, and [so] organized that we are likely to be vanquished if we are not strong, well-trained, and watchful. (1)

". . . there was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." (2)

The battle didn’t begin with king Noah, as the scriptural record attests. It began in the heavenly pre-mortal realm, and the war continues on the earth. But this story about the battle begins with him. Noah is a worthy foot soldier of the . . . old serpent, called the Devil…

It is about one hundred fifty years before the birth of Christ. Zeniff, prophet-leader of the lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom, has conferred the kingdom upon one of his sons. King Noah does not emulate his father, nor does he keep God’s commandments. He discharges his father’s priests and appoints priests lifted up in pride. Heavy taxes are imposed to support laziness, idolatry, and promiscuity in the kingdom. And the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity. (3)

History is replete with human calamity caused by the evil acts of a single depraved man. The depth of temporal and spiritual suffering inflicted by evil men in positions of power, unwitting surrogates of Satan perhaps, is incalculable!

King Noah was such a person. Yet, decent people may take comfort in the gospel truth that evil does not triumph! The Lord is in charge! Ultimately, wickedness never wins. Righteousness always wins! Jesus Christ prevails.

"Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea

Or demons or men or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies…" (4)

The Laws of God may be disobeyed, but His laws remain resolute. They are eternal in their nature and inexorable in their consequence. No one breaks the laws of the celestial realm. God’s laws, heaven’s irrevocable mandate, will break us—if we live in sin. The sinful life is a losing life!

King Noah was a loser—a natural man, and the inevitable consequence of his wickedness came. The Lord has His own divine timetable and His own irrepressible agenda. The Lord took care of His business, and He did it His Way. Which is always the right way. His Way, in this instance, did not involve lightning bolts nor earthquakes nor occupation by an invading Lamanite army. He didn’t strike king Noah dead as he sat in his spacious palace on his regal, iniquitous throne. The Lord didn’t utilize physical force of any kind. He employed the power of spiritual persuasion. He used the power of testimony! He sent a Prophet to call king Noah and his priests and the people to repentance.

"And it came to pass that THERE WAS A MAN among them whose name was Abinadi; and he went forth among them, and 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 [that’s once] I will visit them in mine anger." (5)

Thus, Abinadi did boldly proclaim the message which God placed into his heart. History is replete with evidence of human travail caused by evil acts of a single depraved man, but history is resplendent with triumphant achievement of the human spirit caused by acts of a single righteous person. History has produced its king Noahs, but it has also provided men like the Prophet Abinadi!

He was not lifted up in the pride of his heart. He was a humble servant of the Lord. Abinadi disdained the desires of the flesh and refused to indulge in idolatrous practice. He did not do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Rather, Abinadi walked in the way of the prophets and the scriptures.

He continued to utter language given him by God, ". . . except they repent

[that’s twice] and turn to the Lord their God… I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies… that they shall know that I am the Lord their God… And… except this people repent . . . [that’s three times] they shall be brought into bondage… and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies. And except they repent

[that’s four times] in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me." (6)

The king’s wicked aura infects his subjects. The people of the kingdom are offended by the Lord’s edict. Consumed by pride, angered by Abinadi’s boldness, they seek to take his life—but the Lord delivers Abinadi. (7)

God does not forget his servant. He whom the Lord sends forth the Lord blesses. Abinadi was sent to the land of Noah to reprove the people and to teach them of judgment. God goes before his face. He is on Abinadi’s right hand and on his left. His Spirit reposes inside Abinadi’s heart, and His angels sustain him. (8)

As for the king, chief architect of the evil ambiance of the kingdom, how does he react to the prophetic injunction to repent or be delivered into bondage? The response is swift from the man enamored of gold and silver, of abominations and harlots, of ornate buildings of fine wood and copper and brass, of all manner of precious things—and of the culture of iniquity he’s created. King Noah has a vested interest in the status quo. He loves his life of opulence and debauchery. He thinks he’s got a sweet deal going. He resists the prophetic charge to change!

The presentation of God’s language by His Prophet makes king Noah furious. Abinadi experiences the dilemma of many messengers who impart an unpopular message. Those to whom the message is given engage in misguided, non sequitur reasoning: We don’t like the message, so let’s kill the messenger.

King Noah’s rebuttal was laced with sarcasm and irreverence. "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? I command you to bring Abinadi hither, that I may slay him…" (9)

And the eyes of the people were unseeing and the hearts of the people were unfeeling. Their ". . . eyes… were blinded… they hardened their hearts… they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings." (10)

A lesser man would have been discouraged. The message of God had been delivered. The people had been warned. The king had been chastised. It was not Abinadi’s fault they did not see the light, nor discern the truth, or listen with their hearts. He’d testified of impending calamity unless they repented. According to the scriptural record, the unequivocal call to repentance had been repeated at least four times, and the response of the people had been to seek his life.

Such a result might have provoked some thoughts of frustration. Things like: Hey, that isn’t the way this is supposed to work is it? The plan wasn’t drawn up with this type of outcome in mind. Repetition brings conviction, right? Theirs not mine. In my view, the way my mission blue print is drafted, they become converted to the truth of the message, not to a truth that justice demands death for the declarant!

Indeed, a lesser man might have cited the bitter, unrelenting rejection of the Lord’s message as a convincing basis for release from such an unproductive calling. Why commit additional resources to a mission impossible that seemed hopeless and perilous!

A lesser man may have asked for an early release from his call due to the extreme decadence of the society of king Noah. Such a man may have theorized that persons of this breeding don’t deserve me or the truths I teach. Employing the vintage rationale: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (11)

Abinadi was not such a man! He walked in the ways of the prophets and the scriptures, and he persevered in his personal calling to proclaim the language of God. Called in the life before life, he was the man for his time! He was God’s man, and he remained steadfast in his prophetic call. He didn’t ask to be released, he’d made a covenant with the Lord, and he kept his promise. This was the Lord’s business. He didn’t give up, he didn’t dare give up. He resolved to endure to the end of his mission—whenever that might be.

Perhaps, somewhere in the lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom, there was a single soul waiting to be taught. Someone prepared by the Lord. Someone needed by the Lord. A golden contact. A life to be changed—by the power of testimony. A person who would listen with his heart and recognize the light. But when? Where? Who? Abinadi’s prophetic warning was a matter of record. Yet, the Spirit prompted him to be patient. A wise heavenly Father had delivered him for some divine purpose. Abinadi chose to wait on the Lord.

Chapter 2

Thereafter, the scriptural record is silent concerning Abinadi for several years. The Lord’s prophet was given a two year sabbatical from his mission to the lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom. Accordingly, king Noah was granted a temporary reprieve from the repetitious rhetoric of repentance from his theological gadfly. Maybe the Lord was giving these iniquitous people a chance to let the words of His prophet sink in. Perhaps, if this stern call to repentance marinated in their thoughts for a time, the people would come to their senses and have a change of heart. Almost anything’s possible, correct?

We can only speculate about the activity of the Lord’s devout man during his absence. Did Abinadi have a family? If so, he may have sought refuge in the sacred atmosphere of his loved ones. Teaching his children ". . . the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands… [teaching his] children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord." (12)

We may surmise, of course, that the Lord continued to tutor His Prophet, and to bless him with His sweet spirit and the protection of His mighty power. Preparing him for the challenging scenario that lay ahead. Regularly sending His angels to minister and to bear him up.

Abinadi would have striven to refine his spiritual nature and to recharge his spiritual resolve by reflecting upon, reading of, and remembering his Divine Redeemer. Not only would he have pondered the words of eternal life, he would have practiced preaching them. Perhaps, teaching supernal gospel truths to his neighbors and to people in other lands—and developing a new strategy for Noah’s lands.

Be that hiatus as it was. Two years later the Prophet Abinadi dramatically resurfaced in the lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom. The scripture states, . . . after the space of two years… Abinadi came among them in disguise, that they knew him not, and began to prophesy among them, saying: Thus has the Lord commanded me, saying Abinadi, go and prophesy unto this my people, for they have hardened their hearts against my words; they have repented not of their evil doings; [again the warning is proclaimed] therefore… in my fierce anger will I visit them in their iniquities and abominations." (13)

The Lord knew His people. Every one of them. Those inhabiting the lands of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom were not, in the final reckoning of things king Noah’s people, despite his prior paternal assertions. They were God’s people. His children. Spiritually begotten in heaven by him. And the marination process hadn’t worked for most of them. But in these lands there was someone! He waited. He reflected. He maturated. He had become ready to hear the words of life and to partake of the living water of the Gospel.

As for Abinadi, he wasn’t there to do the biding of a predator king. He wasn’t Noah’s man neither. Foreordained in the pre-mortal world for this precise purpose, Abinadi was God’s man! The Lord knew His Prophet, and he knew him by name!

Yup! A different look, but the same ebullient personality, the same blunt words and the same powerful testimony. Two years had not softened his irreconcilable hatred of sin and his implacable love of righteousness! God’s messenger did not sugar-coat the message. It was a case of guess who? It’s me, Abinadi. I’m baaack!

The intrepid words of the Prophet Abinadi slam-dunk the idolatrous king, his profane priests, and the perverse subjects of his kingdom. The prophetic words are a withering condemnation: ". . . wo be unto this generation! And the Lord said unto me: Stretch forth they hand and prophesy, saying: Thus saith the Lord, it shall come to pass that this generation because of their iniquities, shall be brought into bondage… and shall be driven by men, and shall be slain; and the vultures of the air, and the dogs, yea, and the wild breasts, shall devour their flesh…"

"And… the life of king Noah shall be valued even as a garment in a hot furn-ace; for he shall know that I am the Lord."

"And… I will smite this my people with sore afflictions, yea, with famine and with pestilence; and I will cause that they shall howl all the day long. Yea… I will cause that they shall have burdens lashed upon their backs; and they shall be driven before like a dumb ass… [and once more the dire admonition is uttered] except they repent I will utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth… And many things did Abinadi prophesy against this people." (14)

Those who heard the Lord’s rebuke were angered by the spiritual reprimand. Deja vu. After a two year interlude, it was a prophetic reprise. Same guy. Same message. Same result, to this point, at least. But then, we’d expect a true prophet to be consistent. The Lord is . . . the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (15)

It’s interesting how most folks just don’t like to be criticized. It seems to be a trait imbedded in human nature. It’s an attitude of—let me be free, with due disrespect, to make judgments of others. But please—please don’t be critical of me.

That mind set is especially applicable, when the censure has been publicly proclaimed to those who are comfortable in a licentious lifestyle, and complacent in their community of corruption. The moral views of the people in Noah’s kingdom were constantly being reinforced by the prurience of their peers It’s a bit like contemporary culture. A daily diet of moral and spiritual perversion, served up by the media, and other evil conspiring men, diminishes societal values, desensitizes individuals and, over time, subdues any sense of personal restraint.

The people in the kingdom of Noah captured Abinadi and . . . carried him bound before the king… Saying, the man prophesied God would destroy thy people, and ". . . that thy life shall be as a garment in a furnace of fire… that thou shalt be… as a dry stalk of the field, which is run over by the beasts and trodden under foot… . And… thou shalt be as the blossoms of a thistle, which, when it is fully ripe, if the wind bloweth, it is driven forth upon the face of the land. And he pretendeth the Lord hath spoken it. And he saith all this shall come upon thee except thou repent, and this because of thine iniquities." (16)

Big surprise. King Noah didn’t like to have nasty things said about him. His royal mind was troubled by the re-emergence of this religious zealot—this tenacious doomsday gad-fly. He was a foul-mouthed nuisance who had to be dwelt with severely! He could cool his prophetic heels in the royal jail.

The record reads, ". . . king Noah caused that Abinadi should be cast into prison; and he commanded that the priests should gather… together that he might hold a council with them…" concerning the man who pretended to speak with the Lord. (17)

The prideful priests assembled, conversed, and counseled the king, "Bring him hither that we may question him, and the king commanded that he should be brought before them. And they began to question him, that they might cross him, that thereby they might have wherewith to accuse him . . ." (18)

The circumstance of this inquisition is a daunting experience for Abinadi.

He’s in custody. Bereft of family, friends, legal counsel, due process rights—or sympathy. The hearing is not being held at a neutral site. Abinadi is appearing on the king’s turf, Noah has the home field advantage. The interrogation is to be conducted according to his agenda and his contrived rules. Abinadi is a lone man brazenly restrained inside a hostile environment, surrounded by jeering priests and a cynical king whose intention is execution. The doomsday seer is a doomed man inside the palace. The so-called fact finding inquiry will be a facade. The questions will have a singular motive: create an illusory justification for the king’s judgment of death.

In such an accusatory ambiance, the evil inquisitors of Abinadi thought their prisoner would be intimidated. They expected him to meekly submit to their crass heckling and cower helplessly as they confused him with their litany of cross examination. Perhaps, he would be speechless, or he would drop to his knees and beg for royal mercy. Then faint.

Nothing like that happened. Abinadi continued to be God’s man. The prophetic mantle rested upon him whether he was on the street or in chains or whatever. It made no difference. His faith didn’t falter. His confidence remained unshaken. Abinadi was fearless. Truly, . . . If God be for us, who can be against us? (19)

The record reads, ". . . he answered them boldly, and withstood all their questions… to their astonishment; for he did withstand them in all their questions, and did confound them in all their words." (20)

One of the vulgar priests asked Abinadi about the meaning of a certain scripture. What meaneth the words which are written and which have been taught by our fathers, saying: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation… (21)

Abinadi maintained his composure. These churlish priests weren’t intimidating. Those who lack the spirit lack insight. Those untutored in the scriptures are no match for a prophet of God. He answered the question with a question: "Are you priests, and pretend to teach the people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean? . . . 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. Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding . . ." (22)

A common failure to be sure. Many persons may proudly possess a modicum of intelligence and be conversant with the scriptures and various theological disciplines, but carry within their bosoms hearts that are ignorant and uncomprehending. Why? Because they will not acknowledge the source of all truth. These persons insistently, unwisely pursue the mistaken path of spiritual self-reliance. A prerequisite for discovering truth is an earnest quest for truth, and a wise man knows where to look. Those who lack common sense and empathy, humility and a recognition of their mortal limitations, who are unwilling to look to the heavens for guidance or to heaven-sent designees for instruction, will not be blessed with understanding hearts.

. . . there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (23)

Chapter 3

Abinadi continued to turn the tables on his interrogators. He cross examined the priests of Noah. Saying, . . . what teach ye this people? And they said, We teach the law of Moses. (24)

His cross examination became an explicit, scathing censure: "If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms and spend your strength with harlots… and cause this people to commit sin… ? Know ye not that I speak the truth… ?" (25)

". . . ye know that I speak the truth; and you ought to tremble before God.

And it shall come to pass that ye shall be smitten for your iniquities…" (26)

The prophetic scolding continued with more questions: "Doth salvation come by the law of Moses? What say ye?" (27)

Perplexed, the priests pondered their position. Then said, . . . that salvation did come by the law of Moses. (28)

And the man of God replied, "I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved… Have ye done all this? . . . Nay, ye have not… have ye taught this people that they should do all these things? . . . Nay, ye have not." (29)

When the king heard these words he ordered his priests to seize Abinadi and

slay him… for he is mad. (30)

So they attempted to "lay their hands on him; but he withstood them, and said… 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 . . . God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time . . . I must fulfill the commandments wherewith God has commanded me; and because I have told you the truth ye are angry… and ye have judged me that I am mad." (31)

And the great Almighty Lord, who knows all and is mindful when even a tiny sparrow’s air-borne flight is interrupted, remembered His Prophet and magnified him. Abinadi’s presence was dramatized. His persona enlarged. His stature expanded, and his countenance glorified. The power of his words intensified, and his prophetic insight was augmented by the power of the Holy Ghost. In the eyes of his adversaries, Abinadi became bigger than a mortal man. And the people feared him and withdrew from him.

The scriptural records reads, ". . . the people… 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. And… [Abinadi] spake with power and authority from God . . ." (32)

He continued, "Ye see that ye have not power to slay me, therefore I finish my message. Yea, and I perceive that it cuts you to your hearts because I tell you the truth concerning your iniquities. Yea, and my words fill you with wonder and amazement, and with anger. But I finish my message; and then it matters not whither I go, if it so be that I am saved." (33)

That is the bottom line isn’t it? Our station in this life doesn’t matter, nor is our temporal power or wealth or notoriety pertinent. Our longevity as mortal beings isn’t the paramount priority. All that ultimately matters on this planet is whether we are saved! And that comes from doing the will of the eternal Father. The rest is incidental. We look upward to the Lord and outward to our families for salvation. We are to cherish and nurture our spiritual and moral relationships! We are to serve God the Father as we serve His children—our fellow human beings.

Then the Prophet Abinadi bore fervent testimony of the Ten Commandments, the words of Isaiah, and of the Messiah. He declared the reality of Christ’s ". . . atonement . . . for the sins and iniquities of his people…" (34)

He testified that Christ would ". . . be led, crucified, and slain . . . the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father." (35)

Abinadi testified concerning ". . . the resurrection of Christ . . ." (36) And he testified of the resurrection of mankind. "But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; a light that is endless, that can never be darkened… and a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." (37)

Abinadi concluded his testimony by once more chastising the wicked king and his prideful priests, ". . . ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and thought Christ . . . can [ye] be saved?" (38)

And he sternly admonished these ignorant and impious priests who had not applied their hearts and their words to understanding, "Teach . . . that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord . . ." (39)

When Abinadi finished the message God had given him, king Noah commanded the priests to take him and put him to death. (40)

This time the priests did lay their rough hands upon him. And so—it may have momentarily seemed—that Abinadi is a failure. He’s served a second mission to the people of Lehi-Nephi and Shilom. And the result appears to be a carbon copy of the previous endeavor. Again his call to repentance has fallen on deaf ears. Not ears that are incapable of hearing, Noah and his priests and the people of the land didn’t suffer from any genetic hearing impairment. They weren’t truth resistant due to any sort of acquired hearing defect neither. They weren’t hard of hearing. The scriptural record contains no hint of the presence of any truly deaf persons inside the king’s inquisition chamber. But hey, this was a cynical crowd. These guys weren’t into the notion of listening to a prophet of God. They cavalierly tuned him out. Their problem was listening! If it was a prophet speaking the words of life, their knee jerk response was to be hard-of-listening. Too bad for them. The stakes are high. They needed to listen with their ears and with their hearts and with the spirit.

Just as each of us needs to listen to prophetic counsel with our ears and our hearts and with the spirit!

"Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; he knows the way." (41)

And then—when it seemed that no one worthy of redemption had listened to the power of Abinadi’s testimony. When it seemed that the perseverance and the eloquence of Abinadi was of no consequence. Remarkably, marvelously a great principle of the ages is reiterated: there is great power in testimony! The effectual fervent testimony of a righteous man does avail much. (42) Abinadi spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost. And ". . . when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (43)

All was not lost on that pivotal day in history over twenty one hundred years ago. God’s messenger is not a loser! Abinadi is a winner. He wins because he’s on the Lord’s side. God always wins! When Abinadi spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost did carry his testimony into the heart of one of king Noah’s priests. There is ONE humble priest. One special person, among the wicked tribunal, listened with his ears and with his heart and with the spirit. One person exercised a particle of faith and desired to believe. One person gave place that a seed might be planted in his heart. And it was a good seed. And it began to swell within his breast. And it began to enlarge his soul and enlighten his understanding. And it began to be delicious to him. (44)

Chapter 4

Mosiah 17:2 is an exciting verse of scripture. Each time it’s read it teaches a thoughtful reader about the power of testimony. It wonderfully confirms the importance of ministering to the one. The essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is one-to-one ministry! Mosiah 17:2 teaches that good always triumphs over evil—eventually. It reminds us, that in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, every member is a missionary. Every member is a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places. (45) And that we witness through obedience to God’s commandments and through loving service to God’s children. We are reminded by Mosiah 17:2, and it is thrilling to contemplate, that every person on this planet is a child of God—blessed with vast potential. Known by and fondly remembered by a loving Father in Heaven. Recognized for his or her inherent worth and fore-ordained calls to serve. Mosiah 17:2 implicitly instructs us concerning the value of patience and persistence in the pursuit of righteous purpose. It testifies to the amazing difference one heaven-sent man can make in the pages of history.

Mosiah 17:2 reads: BUT THERE WAS ONE… Not dozens—not two—only one! One solitary man. But our ". . . redeemer . . . suffered death in the flesh… that all men might repent and come unto him… And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth." (46)

Repeating the four trivial sounding but consequential words, BUT THERE WAS ONE… One ". . . among them whose name was Alma, he also being a descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which Abinadi had testified against them; therefore he began to plead with the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he might depart in peace." (47)

The plea fell on a set of ears deaf to matters of