Mosiah 15

God Himself, the Redeemer

And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. Mosiah 15:1

Abinadi's main point: the Redeemer is not an ordinary man but God Himself, Jehovah, born into mortality to save His people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Mosiah 13:34 — The prophets said God Himself would come down in the form of man.
• quoted by Mosiah 17:8 — Noah condemns Abinadi for this testimony.

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of the Father in the flesh

And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son— Mosiah 15:2

Because Christ takes a mortal body, He is called the Son of God, and He submits that flesh completely to the Father's will.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — "He shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
• fulfilled by Luke 1:35 — The angel tells Mary the child shall be called the Son of God.

The Father and the Son; Very Eternal Father

Eternal Father — Christ as Creator of heaven and earth, Father of the reborn, and bearer of the Father's divine authority

The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son— Mosiah 15:3–4

Abinadi explains how Christ can be called both Father and Son. He is Son through His mortal flesh and Father through His divine conception and power, the Creator of heaven and earth. Latter-day Saints understand this as describing Christ's roles, not erasing the distinction between Him and Heavenly Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Ether 3:14 — "I am the Father and the Son."
• interpreted by D&C 93:4 — Christ explains why He is called Father and Son.
• the same title in Mosiah 16:15 — "Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father."
• the same title in Isaiah 9:6 — "The everlasting Father."

Tempted, Mocked, Scourged, Disowned

And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. Mosiah 15:5

Christ would face real temptation and never give in, then willingly let Himself be mocked, whipped and rejected by His own people.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Hebrews 4:15 — Tempted in all points, yet without sin.
• fulfilled by Matthew 27:26-31 — Jesus is scourged and mocked.
• fulfilled by John 1:11 — His own received Him not.

Led as a Sheep; Worker of Miracles

And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Mosiah 15:6

Abinadi ties Isaiah's silent lamb directly to the coming God, who would do mighty miracles and then go silently to His death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Mosiah 14:7 — Isaiah 53:7 as read by Abinadi.
• quotes Isaiah 53:7 — The source passage.

Crucifixion; the Son's Will Swallowed Up in the Father's

Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. Mosiah 15:7

About 150 years before His birth, Abinadi foretells Christ's crucifixion and His complete submission to the Father, the very submission Jesus showed in Gethsemane.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Luke 22:42 — "Not my will, but thine, be done."
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 11:11 — Christ: "I have suffered the will of the Father in all things."

Breaker of the Bands of Death

And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men— Mosiah 15:8

Through His Resurrection, Christ breaks death's hold, and that victory gives Him the power to plead for us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Mosiah 16:7 — If Christ had not broken the bands of death there could be no resurrection.
• the same event in Alma 7:12 — He will loose the bands of death.

Mediator Standing Betwixt Us and Justice

Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice. Mosiah 15:9

The ascended Christ is full of compassion and stands between us and justice as our Mediator. Because He took our sins and satisfied justice, mercy can reach us.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Mosiah 14:12 — Explains "made intercession for the transgressors."
• alluded to by Alma 42:15 — The Atonement appeases the demands of justice so God can be merciful.
• fulfilled by Acts 1:9-11 — His ascension into heaven.

His Soul an Offering for Sin (interpreted)

And now I say unto you, who shall declare his generation? Behold, I say unto you, that when his soul has been made an offering for sin he shall see his seed. And now what say ye? And who shall be his seed? Mosiah 15:10

Abinadi turns Isaiah 53's hard questions back on the priests to show that the passage is about the Redeemer's sin offering and the spiritual family it creates.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Mosiah 14:8 — "Who shall declare his generation?"
• interprets Mosiah 14:10 — "He shall see his seed."
• interprets Isaiah 53:8-10 — The source passage.

The Seed of Christ

Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God. Mosiah 15:11–13

Christ's "seed" are His spiritual children: everyone who believed the prophets and looked to Him for forgiveness, and the holy prophets themselves. He died for them, and they become heirs of God's kingdom.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Mosiah 5:7 — Those who covenant become "the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters."
• interprets Isaiah 53:10 — "He shall see his seed."

Messengers of the Good Tidings

And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth! Mosiah 15:14–17

Abinadi first applies Isaiah 52:7 to the prophets past, present and future. They are beautiful because they carry the good news of Christ's redemption. The good tidings they publish are Christ Himself, as verse 18 shows.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Mosiah 12:21 — Answers the priests' question about Isaiah 52:7.
• interprets Isaiah 52:7 — The source passage.

Founder of Peace

Founder of Peace — the source and author of all true peace

And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people; Mosiah 15:18

The ultimate messenger in Isaiah 52:7 is the Lord Himself, the "founder of peace" who redeemed His people. This is the full answer to the priests' question, and it names a title of Christ found nowhere else in scripture.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Mosiah 12:21 — The priests' quotation of Isaiah 52:7.
• interprets Isaiah 52:7 — The source passage.
• the same title in 3 Nephi 20:40 — The risen Christ quotes the same verse.

Redemption Prepared from the Foundation of the World

For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished. Mosiah 15:19

Christ's redemption was planned before the world was made. Without it, all humanity would have been lost.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Revelation 13:8 — "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
• alluded to by Mosiah 4:6 — The atonement "prepared from the foundation of the world."

The Son Reigneth over the Dead

But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. Mosiah 15:20

The Son reigns with power over the dead, so He brings about everyone's resurrection.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by John 5:25-29 — The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and come forth.
• the same event in Mosiah 13:35 — He should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek form of Messiah)

And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called. Mosiah 15:21

Abinadi names Him: the Redeemer "shall be called" Christ. The first resurrection reaches up to and begins with Christ's own resurrection.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 2 Nephi 10:3 — An angel tells Jacob His name shall be Christ.
• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — "He shall be called Jesus Christ."

First Resurrection through Christ

And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection. Mosiah 15:22–23

The prophets and all who believed and kept God's commandments come forth in the first resurrection and gain eternal life through Christ, who broke the bands of death.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Matthew 27:52-53 — The bodies of the saints arise after His resurrection.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 23:9-11 — Christ confirms saints arose at His resurrection.

Redeemer of Those Who Died without the Gospel

And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. Mosiah 15:24

Christ's redemption also reaches people who died before He came without ever hearing the gospel. This early glimpse of God's fairness is later taught fully in the revelation on the redemption of the dead.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by D&C 45:54 — They that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection.
• alluded to by D&C 138:32 — The gospel preached to the dead who died without knowledge of the truth.

Little Children Redeemed

And little children also have eternal life. Mosiah 15:25

In the middle of teaching about Christ's redemption, Abinadi says little children have eternal life. Other prophets explain that this is because they are alive in Christ through His Atonement.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Mosiah 3:16 — The blood of Christ atones for little children.
• interpreted by Moroni 8:12 — "Little children are alive in Christ."

The Lord Who Cannot Deny Justice

But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection. Mosiah 15:26–27

Christ redeems us from our sins, not in them. People who knowingly rebel and never repent shut themselves out of His redemption, because the Lord will not deny justice.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Helaman 5:10-11 — He redeems from sins, not in sins, on conditions of repentance.
• alluded to by Alma 42:25 — Mercy cannot rob justice.

The Salvation of the Lord to Every Nation

And now I say unto you that the time shall come that the salvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Mosiah 15:28

Christ's salvation will be preached to every nation and people. It was fulfilled in the apostles' missions and continues in the latter-day spread of the gospel.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Mosiah 16:1 — All shall see the salvation of the Lord.
• fulfilled by Matthew 28:19 — "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations."

Redeemer of Jerusalem

Yea, Lord, thy watchmen shall lift up their voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Mosiah 15:29–30

Abinadi ends by answering the priests' Isaiah passage and even addresses the Lord in it ("Yea, Lord"). Having just shown who the Redeemer is, he makes it plain that the Lord who redeems Jerusalem is Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:8-9 — The source passage.
• quotes Mosiah 12:22-23 — The priests' question, now answered.
• quoted by 3 Nephi 16:18-19 — Christ quotes these words.

The Arm of the Lord

The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Mosiah 15:31

The Lord's holy arm, His saving power in Christ, will be shown openly to every nation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Isaiah 52:10 — The source passage.
• quotes Mosiah 12:24 — The priests' quotation.
• alluded to by D&C 133:3 — The Lord shall make bare His holy arm at His coming.