In our no. 4 of this current topic, the Eagle uses the words of Abinadi to the wicked King Noah to further explain our belief in Christ. We shall start from the beginning of the sermon and proceed through to the end.
In Mosiah 13, Abinadi begins teachings the wicked King and his wicked priests of the importance of the law of Moses, and what it typifies. He reads to them the Ten Commandments out of the scriptures, and then goes on to say, "For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things?" (Mosiah 13:33). The fact that the Ten Commandments are here read by a Prophet of God, as well as the interpretation of the meaning of the Law of Moses, is clearly an indication that the believers in the Book of Mormon both believe the Bible and also believe in Christ, and thus are Christians.
Abinadi goes on to quote Isaiah 53, wherein the Prophet describes the true Manhood of the Savior and what He will do for His people. Abinadi then continues to teach,
I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. 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—The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son—And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Fatherof heaven and of earth (Mosiah 15:1-4).
The teachings of Abinadi concerning "God Himself" coming down among His people may seem contradictory when one remembers that Jesus is also called the Son of God. How, then, is Jesus Christ both God Himself as well as the Son of God? Can He actually be the Son of Himself? Christ is called "God Himself" by Abinadi here because it was He, under the direction of His Father Elohim, who gave Moses the Law and who appeared unto His prophets. He always acts under the direction of His Father. Also, the use of the phrase "they are one God" means that God the Father and Jesus Christ are distinct Personages united in one purpose.
To further and finally prove my point, Abinadi, speaking of Christ, says, "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. . . . redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen" (Mosiah 16:9, 15).
Thus we can plainly discern the Light by which the Mormons walk, which is Jesus Christ the Savior. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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