Mosiah 16

Every Nation Shall Confess

And now, it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these words he stretched forth his hand and said: The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just. Mosiah 16:1–2

One day everyone will see the Lord's salvation and admit that God's judgments are fair. Those who refused the voice of the Lord will not be redeemed.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Mosiah 27:31 — Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess before Him.
• the same event in Philippians 2:10-11 — Every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.
• the same event in Mosiah 15:28 — The salvation of the Lord declared to every nation.

Redeemer from the Fall

Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state. Mosiah 16:4–5

Because of the Fall, all of humanity would be lost forever without redemption. Anyone who refuses to repent lives as if Christ's redemption had never been made.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Mosiah 3:19 — The natural man is an enemy to God unless he yields and becomes a saint through the Atonement of Christ.
• the same event in Alma 42:15 — Redemption from the fallen state through the Atonement.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption. Mosiah 16:6

Abinadi speaks of Christ's future coming as though it had already happened, because it is that certain. Without Christ coming into the world, no one could be redeemed.

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

• the same event in Jarom 1:11 — Nephite prophets taught people to believe in the Messiah who should come "as though he already was."

Christ Risen from the Dead

And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. Mosiah 16:7

Everyone's resurrection depends on Christ rising first. Because He broke the bands of death, the grave loses its victory.

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

• alludes to Hosea 13:14 — "O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction."
• the same event in 1 Corinthians 15:55 — Paul: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

Death Swallowed Up in Christ

But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. Mosiah 16:8

Death's sting is swallowed up "in Christ": His victory absorbs death's power completely.

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

• alludes to Isaiah 25:8 — "He will swallow up death in victory."
• the same event in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 — Death is swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Light and the Life of the World

Light and Life of the World — the source of all spiritual light and of endless life

He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death. Mosiah 16:9

Christ is the light that can never be put out and the life that ends death. The resurrected Jesus introduced Himself to the Nephites with these same words.

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

• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:11 — "I am the light and the life of the world."
• the same title in John 8:12 — "I am the light of the world."
• the same title in John 1:4 — "In him was life; and the life was the light of men."

Resurrection and Judgment at the Bar of God

Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil— Mosiah 16:10–11

Because of Christ everyone will be resurrected with an immortal body and stand before God to be judged by their works. The Father has given judgment to the Son.

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

• the same event in John 5:28-29 — The resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation.
• interpreted by John 5:22 — The Father has committed all judgment to the Son.
• the same event in 1 Corinthians 15:53 — "This mortal must put on immortality."

The Arms of Mercy

Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent. Mosiah 16:12

The Lord keeps His arms of mercy stretched out to everyone. People are lost only when they refuse to call on Him while that mercy is offered.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Alma 5:33 — "The arms of mercy are extended towards them."
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 9:14 — Christ: "Mine arm of mercy is extended towards you."

Saved Only in and through Christ

And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved? Mosiah 16:13

Salvation comes only in and through Christ, not through the law, riches, or our own strength. Abinadi calls the priests to tremble and repent.

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

• alluded to by Mosiah 3:17 — Salvation only in and through the name of Christ.
• the same event in Acts 4:12 — None other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.

The Law of Moses a Shadow of Christ

Therefore, if ye teach the law of Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come— Mosiah 16:14

The law of Moses is a shadow, and a shadow is cast by something real. The real thing is Christ's redemption, so teaching the law truly means teaching Him.

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

• the same event in Mosiah 13:31 — All these things were types of things to come.
• the same event in Hebrews 10:1 — The law as a shadow of good things to come.
• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The law points to the great and last sacrifice, the Son of God.

Christ the Lord, the Very Eternal Father

Eternal Father — Christ as Creator and as Father of those He redeems

Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen. Mosiah 16:15

Abinadi's final words sum up his whole message: redemption comes through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father, Creator of heaven and earth and Father of all who are born again through Him.

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

• the same title in Mosiah 15:4 — "The very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth."
• the same title in Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ, the Father of heaven and earth.
• the same title in Ether 3:14 — "I am the Father and the Son."