“When Abinadi Had Spoken These Words, they Were Wroth with Him”

"It is interesting to note the reactions of wicked people to prophets of God. The Jews in Lehi's day sought to take away his life. (See 1 Nephi 1:19,20) The wicked people of Zarahemla sought to kill Samuel. (See Helaman 16.) And King Noah and his priests sought the life of Abinadi. What does the message of Nephi to his wicked brothers suggest is the reason for such behavior? 'The guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.' (1 Nephi 16:2) This is why false prophets and corrupt priests so often flourish among the people. They salve the conscience, not only telling the people that there is no wickedness in their actions, but actually approving their acts as acceptable to God." (Book of Mormon Student Manual, 1981, p. 191)