"And now, when Abinadi had said these
words he fell, having suffered by fire; yea, having been put to death because
he would NOT deny the commandment of God." -Mosiah 17:20.
It’s
incredible that Abinadi would die even by fire to be a witness of this gospel.
He knew it was true with everything inside of Him. He loved the gospel, and he
loved our Father in Heaven.
In
our home we have three words written over a doorway: But If Not. This
saying reminds us to be faithful no matter what. It comes from a story in the
Bible, about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when told they would be thrown in a
fiery furnace said, “Our God will deliver us, but if not, we will
not deny him.” In life it doesn't always work out the way it did for
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were saved. It sometimes can turn out
like how it did for Abinadi.
I
chose to write my first post about Abinadi because, for me, he is the greatest
hero in the Book of Mormon. He courageously stood for truth when it was
unpopular. In the end his main testimony was to not lower his standards, to not
recall his words, and to not deny the commandments of God no matter what. We
may not have to have the death sentence pronounced upon us but it takes courage
to stick to our standards when so many are following the ways of the world. We
find we are ridiculed just as Abinadi was for having clean language, not dating
before sixteen, having a serious boyfriend in high school, dressing modestly,
and keeping the Sabbath Day holy.
While
attending high school, some boys came up to my brother Tanner in the hall. With
sneering voices they said, “Tanner you’re such a pansy because you don’t
swear.” Without hesitating Tanner replied, “No you are the pansies because you
can’t control your tongue.” It would have been so easy for him to fall into
peer pressure, but he stood fast in his beliefs. However, the power with which
he responded made the boys turn and shrink away from him.
If
you are altering your standards to escape the judgments of others, stop it.
Stop trying to justify or rationalize your actions. The Lord needs a strong
people. Not next week or next year, but today. These are the last days and we
must prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. It is so critical for you
to understand that we must put upon us the Lord’s standards and stand for truth
and righteousness at this time.
How
do we get the power and strength that Abinadi had? We can serve others, speak
kindly to others, especially your family, bearing your testimony in either
timely or untimely situations, reading the scriptures daily, saying our morning
and night prayers, and having family night. Too often we let sports, school,
friends, or any other activities get in the way of doing these things. But
there should be no excuse to keep the Lord’s commandments. Be like Abinadi who
made no excuse to deny the commandments to the point of dying.
Sometimes
it may not be easy because you may question yourself, “why don’t I just do it,
they are going to think I’m so dumb if I don’t.” Don’t listen to those
thoughts. Please brothers and sisters don’t fall into Satan’s trap of peer
pressure.
As
I try to do my best in everything I do, I tend to fail like everyone else does
here and there. For example, while attending BYU, I have been struggling to do
well on all of my exams. Each time I get a low grade, I am devastated. I often
wonder, why even try to get a better score when I just keep getting the same
low scores over and over again. But that’s when I remembered that
faith wasn't just for when things were going right but faith meant we
trust that God has a plan for us even if things don’t turn out the way we
hoped. I have found that when we respond in faith to trials the Lord strengthens
us.
We
must have that same faith that Abinadi had. Elder Simmons said, "Our God
will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. ... Our God will
deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not. ... He will deliver us from
loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. ... Our God will deliver us from
threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. ... we will trust in the
Lord. Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not. ... He
will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not. ... we will have
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will,
in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has."
I
have a very strong testimony that each and every one of us had been given a
special mission here on this earth. The only way we can find out what that is
and accomplish it is by first putting ourselves out there like Abinadi. Do the
unpopular and stand as a witness of God at all times. I know for a fact that
Christ needs us at this exact day and time. The time is now, He comes so soon
and we must build our army of Helaman and not fear opposition or the judgments
of others, just as Abinadi did not fear. We must be strong, which strength will
come from the Lord. Don't forget that great challenges make great men and women.
In
our house we have saying written on the wall, " Et si omnes ego
non," which means: Even if all not I. Never forget that you are a child of
Heavenly Father and that He loves you. Stand up for what you believe in; bear
your testimony frequently in words as well as actions. Please brothers and
sisters, do not follow the world, God needs you to follow Him. I feel that is
so crucial in this day and time.