Mosiah 16:1-3

Brant Gardner

There was no chapter break at this point in the 1830 edition. Nevertheless, we have one sentence that may be presumed to be Mormon writing before he continues quoting Abinadi.

Abinadi is speaking of the final judgment, and there are two aspects of that judgment. In the black and white symbolic world, there is good and evil, and there will come a time when they will be separated, even though they are allowed to coexist in this mortality.

Therefore, there will come a time when all must stand before God, whose judgments are just. Abinadi begins by describing the unjust. At this final judgment, the wicked are cast out. Their actions on earth have condemned them, and, therefore, they are not redeemed.

The judgment is upon what they have become, not what they believed. They are carnal and devilish. They have become similar to the one who opposes God, and, therefore, they are, in the end, found to oppose God. Importantly, however, it comes about because they do know good from evil. Fully understanding their choices, they have chosen to subject themselves to the devil. Therefore, while God declares the judgment, it is a natural judgment brought about by their own natures.

Book of Mormon Minute

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