Abinadi was a man among them (v. 20). The Lord either sends an existing prophet from another area or chooses a new one. In either case he is chosen from among the people. Amos was chosen from “among the herdmen of Tekoa” and sent to Northern Israel (8 century B.C.) to prophesy (Amos 1:1). The people rejected him and Amos responded: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel” (Amos 7:14–15). He was a herdman prior to this calling; he “was no prophet.” He was not in line to become a prophet because of his lineage or heredity (not the son of a prophet). He was a common, everyday herdsman and fruit laborer when his call came to him. We have no record of Abinadi’s call, but it was undoubtedly similar. However, there was no prophet within immediate traveling distance for the Lord to send, and the Lord knew Abinadi was qualified to become a prophet, so he was chosen. With the mantle of the Lord upon him, he was courageous and effective.
There are two kinds of prophecies: conditional and unconditional. The conditional is what will happen if certain requirements are or are not met. The unconditional prophecy is what is going to happen regardless of the reaction of the people. The conditional prophecy is usually given first and followed by the unconditional one if the first requirements are not met.
Abinadi’s first prophecy is conditional. The people must repent of their abominations and whoredoms (Mosiah 11:20), or they will be brought into bondage to their enemies the Lamanites. They would also be afflicted (v. 21) because of their breaking the second of the Ten Commandments, “to not make unto thee any graven images” (Exodus 20:5). The Nephites had become an idolatrous people (Mosiah 11:7). There were two conditions foretold: the Lord is the only one who can deliver them, and the Lord will be slow to hear their cries and prayers. They have rejected his mercy and so justice will run its course. The second commandment states that their iniquities will last unto the third and fourth generation if they continue to hate the Lord. This condition is the natural effect of not turning to the Lord. “There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated” (D&C 130:20). However, those who love him will be blessed regardless of their generation if they love him “and [keep his] commandments” (Exodus 20:6).