Alma the Younger and Abinadi
Alma the Younger's father, Alma, had been one of King Noah's priests at the time when Abinadi was brought before King Noah’s court. He was converted by Abinadi’s words and recorded Abinadi’s teachings and testimony (Mosiah 17:2; 18:1-3).
Alma’s Counsel
When we examine the teachings of Alma the Younger, we find evidence that he
drew upon his father's record when counseling his troubled son,
Corianton.1
While some of the words and phrases from
Abinadi’s sermons can also be found in the writings of subsequent Book of
Mormon speakers, others are only found in the writings of Alma. These
include the warning that unless he repented, his sins would "stand as a
testimony against [him] at the last day" (Mosiah 16:10; Alma 39:8), the
phrase "they have no part" (Mosiah 15:26; Alma 40:13), the teaching that all
will be "brought to stand before God" to be "judged . . . according to their
works" (Mosiah 16:10; Alma 40:21), and a reference to a "first resurrection"
(Mosiah 15:21; Alma 40:15-17).
Personal application
Alma’s words show how the prophetic teachings of Abinadi, treasured and
faithfully recorded by his father, became a blessing leading to the
repentance of his son Corianton, and continues to bless readers today. When
you read the words of Alma to Corianton, consider how his teachings can help
you to have greater faith in Christ, and build greater faith in the hearts
of your family.
1 John Hilton III, "Textual Similarities in the Words of Abinadi
and Alma’s Counsel to Corianton," BYU Studies 51, No. 2 (2012):
39-60.
Side-by-side Verses
| Abinadi | Alma |
|---|---|
| Demands of justice (Mosiah 15:9). | Demands of justice (Alma 42:15). |
| Salvation unto his people (Mosiah 15:18). | Salvation unto his people (Alma 39:15). |
| Were it not for the redemption (Mosiah 15:19). | If it were it not for the plan of redemption (Alma 42:11). |
| Prepared from the foundation of the world (Mosiah 15:19). | Prepared from the foundation of the world (Alma 42:26). |
| Resurrection of Christ (Mosiah 15:21). | Resurrection of Christ (Alma 40:16, 18-20). |
| First resurrection (Mosiah 15:21-22, 24, 26). | First resurrection (Alma 40:15-17). |
| They have no part (Mosiah 15:26). | They have no part (Alma 40:13). |
| Bringeth about the restoration (Mosiah 15:24). | Bringeth about the restoration (Alma 40:22). |
| Gnashing their teeth (Mosiah 16:2). | Gnashing of teeth (Alma 40:13). |
| Carnal, sensual, devilish (Mosiah 16:3). | Carnal, sensual, and devilish (Alma 42:10). |
| This mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption (Mosiah 16:10). | This mortal does not put on immortality, this corruption does not put on incorruption (Alma 40:2). |
| Brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works (Mosiah 16:10). | Brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works (Alma 40:21). |
| Stand as a testimony against you at the last day (Mosiah 17:10). | Stand as a testimony against you at the last day (Alma 39:8). |