Abinadi

Today I studied the miraculous life of Abinadi found in Mosiah 11-17.  Abinadi was one of the matyrs mentioned in the Book of Mormon that really lived his testimony.  Some of the ways that Abinadi shared this testimony was by:

• Prophesying that God would punish the people of wicked King Noah(not the 'ark' Noah) unless they repented, Mosiah 11:20–25
• Was imprisoned for prophesying the destruction of King Noah and his people, Mosiah 12:1–17
• Taught King Noah’s wicked priests of the law of Moses and of Christ, Mosiah 12–16
• Alma the Elder believed and wrote his words, Mosiah 17:2–4
• Was burned to death by King Noah, Mosiah 17:20

I love how Abinadi propehcied and testified of Christ over one hundred years before He was even born.  He taught the wicked priests of King Noah the ten commandments and how the Law of Moses was a shadow of Jesus Christ.  He also taught about the ressurection and how the Atonement would be operative in our lives.  At the end of his life he sealed his testimony by being burned to death for not denying the things he had taught.  Even though he didn't convert many people, his cause wasn't in vain because of one of the priests who had a change of heart.  Alma went on to continue Abinadi's legacy and converted thousands.  There are a lot of things we can draw from the life of this Nephite prophet, but I think this will do for now. 

I know that Abinadi's teachings are true and that the ressurection is real.  The Atonement is heavily involved in our lives and is a lot more powerful and complete than we think sometimes.  I know that through obedience to God's commandments, we can be happy in this life as well as in the next.  I testify that our righteous efforts are not in vain even when we don't see the immediate effects of them.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.   

"Don’t forget Abinadi, who stood before the king.
All chained up from head to toe, the gospel he did bring.
If he would deny it, then the king would set him free.
He was true, and he died righteously."
-Book of Mormon Stories

Zone Conference

Yesterday we had our zone conference up in Helena with all of the other missionaries.  The theme of the conference was having a Christ Centered Christmas and some other topics.  One of the topics we discussed as missionaries was the winter blues and how to overcome them.  It seems that the holiday season is a time for a lot of happiness with some and severe depression with others.  As we discussed it we talked about different ways to overcome these feelings, not only during this time of the year, but year round.  The first solution we talked about was being exactly obedient.  As missionaries, we have a lot of rules that help us to be better in tune with the spirit.  The same applies to everyone that follows the commandments that God has given us.  Elder Mervyn B. Arnold relates the following story about his wife when she was younger and how she learned a valuable lesson about keeping the rules:

“When I was 15 years old, I often felt that there were too many rules and commandments. I wasn’t sure that a normal, fun-loving teenager could enjoy life with so many restrictions. Furthermore, the many hours spent working on my father’s ranch were seriously dipping into my time with my friends. 

“This particular summer, one of my jobs was to ensure that the cows grazing on the mountain pasture did not break through the fence and get into the wheat field. A cow grazing on the growing wheat can bloat, causing suffocation and death. One cow in particular was always trying to stick her head through the fence. One morning, as I was riding my horse along the fence line checking on the cattle, I found that the cow had broken through the fence and gotten into the wheat field. To my dismay, I realized that she had been eating wheat for quite some time because she was already bloated and looked much like a balloon. I thought, ‘You stupid cow! That fence was there to protect you, yet you broke through it and you have eaten so much wheat that your life is in danger.’

“I raced back to the farmhouse to get my dad. However, when we returned, I found her lying dead on the ground. I was saddened by the loss of that cow. We had provided her with a beautiful mountain pasture to graze in and a fence to keep her away from the dangerous wheat, yet she foolishly broke through the fence and caused her own death.

“As I thought about the role of the fence, I realized that it was a protection, just as the commandments and my parents’ rules were a protection. The commandments and rules were for my own good. I realized that obedience to the commandments could save me from physical and spiritual death. That enlightenment was a pivotal point in my life.”

Not only do we have rules for our protection, but they also give us an added measure of the spirit of God.  It seems backwards to say that keeping the rules makes us free, but it is true.  If you really think about it, what happens if you break the rules?  When you're caught you get in trouble and your freedoms are limited.  Keeping the commandments has been such a blessing in my life and I have been given more opportunities for doing what I'm supposed to be doing.  I no longer look at rules and commandments as hindrances, but another way to obtain blessings.  I love all of the commandments and invite you all to do the same.  You'll find that you'll have more happiness, freedom, and peace of mind.   I know this principle is true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.