From Feast upon the Word (http://feastupontheword.org). Copyright, Feast upon the Word.
Note: this page allows you to see all the commentary pages for Mosiah chapter 12 together. Click on the heading to go to a specific page.
Mosiah 12:1-5
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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 12
Questions
Verse 1
- Why does Abinadi come in disguise, but then announce his name to everyone?
- The LORD says that the people haven't repented. In what ways had the people of Noah been given previous opportunities to repent?
- What does it mean to be visited by the LORD in his "fierce anger"? How does this challenge our notions of a kind, patient, and loving Heavenly Father?
Verse 2
- Is this a quotation of any recognizable Old Testament or apocryphal passages, or conglomeration of such passages?
- Why does Abinadi have to "stretch forth" his hand?
Verse 3
- What does it mean to "value" a life "as a garment in a hot furnace"? What can this possibly have to do with Noah knowing the LORD?
Verse 4
- How does the LORD smite people? Does he actually do something proactive here, or is he just going to withdraw his protection from their enemies and the elements?
- Is this image of people howling used just for effect, or is there something more significant about the people howling?
Verse 5
- What is a dumb ass? Domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) are not known to have occurred anywhere in the Americas before European colonization. Is the LORD referring to another beast of burden here, is our archaeological picture of domestic animals in the Americas incomplete, or is there something else going on here?
Lexical notes
Verse 2
- "Wild beasts." "Wild beasts" are mentioned in 21 other passages of LDS scripture. Perhaps most relevant to this context are the following: Lev 26:22 where wild beasts are included among the covenantal curses following disobedience; Isa 13:21-22 (also quoted in 2 Ne 23:21-22) where the destruction of Babylon is described; Isa 34:14 where the day of the LORD's vengeance is described--notice vultures are also mentioned in close proximity (v. 15).
Exegesis
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Mosiah 12:6-10
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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 12
Questions
Verse 8
- Were the people of Noah "utterly destroyed"?
- This warning sounds a lot like what happened to the Jaredites (destroyed, but left a record). Is the LORD likening the people of Noah to the Jaredites? How much might the people of Noah known about the Jaredite destruction before their expedition bring back the 24 plates of Ether?
Verse 9
- Why would the people charge Abinadi with prophesying evil "concerning" the people? Does this constitute a legal charge?
Verse 10
- On what basis would the people charge Abinadi with prophsying evil concerning the life of the king?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Mosiah 12:11-15
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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 12
Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Mosiah 12:16-20
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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 12
Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Mosiah 12:21-25
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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 12
Questions
- Why do Noah's priest choose to quote this part of Isaiah? How in quoting this part were they hoping to "cross [Abinidi], that therebey they might have herewith to accuse him" (verse 19)? What trap were they laying for Abinidi?
Lexical notes
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Exegesis
It seems that the priests were using Isaiah’s praise here to justify their flattering of the people and their own debauched lifestyle Mosiah 11:7. In contrast, Abinadi has been telling the people that they were sinning and needed to repent (e.g. Mosiah 12:13).
In verse 25 Abinidi asks the priests why, since they are the priests, they are looking to Abinidi to explain the scriptures. Then in the next several chapters Abinidi provides his explanation culminating in Mosiah 15:10-14 where he says that those who prophesy of the coming of Lord and remission of sins are those Isaiah is talking about in verse 21.
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Mosiah 12:26-30
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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 12
Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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Mosiah 12:31-37
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The Book of Mormon > Mosiah > Chapter 12
Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
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