Mosiah 11

Jehovah

Jehovah — the covenant God of Israel, the premortal Jesus Christ

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 I will visit them in mine anger. Mosiah 11:20–25

Abinadi speaks the words of the Lord in the first person: "I have seen," "I will deliver," "I am the Lord their God." In Latter-day Saint understanding, the Lord who gave Israel its covenant and speaks through the prophets is Jehovah, the premortal Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Exodus 20:5 — "I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity" is the Sinai wording behind verse 22.
• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:5 — The risen Christ says He is the one who gave the law and covenanted with Israel.

Deliverer (the Lord the Almighty God)

And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God. Mosiah 11:23

Only the Lord can free His people from bondage. That picture of Jehovah as the only deliverer points toward the Redeemer Abinadi will soon testify of openly (Mosiah 15–16), and it comes true for this people in Mosiah 21–24.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• interpreted by Mosiah 16:15 — Abinadi ends by saying redemption comes through Christ the Lord.

Jehovah (defied by the king)

Now when king Noah had heard of the words which Abinadi had spoken unto the people, he was also wroth; and he said: 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? Mosiah 11:27

Noah dismisses the Lord the same way Pharaoh did ("Who is the LORD?"). The Lord Noah defies is Jehovah, the premortal Christ, and Abinadi will soon teach Noah's court who He really is.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alludes to Exodus 5:2 — Pharaoh: "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?"