Abinadi and King Noah

Zeniff grew old, and his son, Noah, became king of the Nephites. Mosiah 11:1

Noah was not a good king like his father. He was wicked and would not obey God’s commandments. Mosiah 11:2

He made the Nephites give him part of their gold and silver. They also had to give him part of the grain they grew, and some of their animals. Mosiah 11:3

King Noah was lazy. He wanted the Nephites to give him all he needed to live. Mosiah 11:4

King Noah replaced the good priests called by his father, Zeniff, with wicked men who taught the people to sin. Mosiah 11:5–7

King Noah had many beautiful buildings built, including a large palace with a throne. The buildings were decorated with fine wood and gold, silver, and other metals. Mosiah 11:8–11

King Noah loved the riches he took from the people. He and his priests spent their time drinking wine and being wicked. Mosiah 11:14–15

God sent a prophet named Abinadi to Noah’s people. He warned them that if they did not repent, they would be brought into bondage (made slaves). Mosiah 11:20–25

When he heard what Abinadi said, King Noah was angry. He sent men to bring Abinadi to him so that he could kill him. Mosiah 11:27–28

Abinadi was taken to the king. King Noah and his priests asked him many questions. They tried to trick him into saying something wrong. Mosiah 12:17–18

Abinadi was not afraid to answer their questions. He knew that God would help him. The priests were surprised at Abinadi’s answers. Mosiah 12:19, 29

King Noah was angry and ordered his priests to kill Abinadi. Abinadi told them not to touch him, or God would kill them. Mosiah 13:1

The Holy Ghost protected Abinadi so that he could finish what the Lord wanted him to say. Abinadi’s face shone. The priests were afraid to touch him. Mosiah 13:2–5

Abinadi spoke with power from God. He told them of their wickedness and read God’s commandments to them. Mosiah 13:6–7, 11–24

He told them that Jesus Christ would be born on earth. Jesus would make it possible for people to repent, to be resurrected, and to live with God. Mosiah 13:33–35; Mosiah 15:21–23

Abinadi told them that they must repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ, or they could not be saved. Mosiah 16:13

King Noah and all but one of his priests refused to believe Abinadi. Noah told the priests to kill Abinadi. They tied him up and threw him into prison. Mosiah 17:1

One of Noah’s priests believed Abinadi. His name was Alma. Alma asked King Noah to let Abinadi go. Mosiah 17:2

King Noah was angry with Alma. He had Alma thrown out. Then he sent his servants to kill Alma. Alma ran and hid, and the king’s servants could not find him. Mosiah 17:3–4

After three days, the king had Abinadi brought before him. King Noah told Abinadi to take back what he had said about Jesus’ being born and being the Savior. Mosiah 17:5–7

Noah said that if Abinadi did not deny all that he had said, he would be killed. Mosiah 17:8

Abinadi knew he had told the truth about Jesus. Abinadi was willing to die rather than deny his testimony of Jesus. Mosiah 17:9–10

King Noah ordered his priests to kill Abinadi. They tied him up, whipped him, and burned him to death. Before he died, Abinadi said that Noah would also die by fire. Mosiah 17:11–20

Some of the Nephites opposed the king. The Lamanite army also came to fight King Noah and his followers. Mosiah 19:2–8

Noah and his people ran. When the Lamanites overtook them and began killing them, Noah told the men to flee and leave their wives and children behind. Mosiah 19:9–11

Many of the men would not leave their wives and children. They were captured by the Lamanites. Mosiah 19:12–15

Some of the men who ran away with King Noah were sorry for leaving their wives and children. They wanted to go back and help their families. Mosiah 19:18–19

King Noah did not want the men to return to their families. He ordered them to stay with him. Mosiah 19:20

King Noah’s men were angry with him. They burned him to death. Then they went back to their families. Abinadi’s words were fulfilled. Mosiah 19:21–24

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson and Gary Kapp