Lifespan

Approximately 150 B.C.

Ministry

Abinadi was a Nephite prophet. Abinadi had joined a small group of Nephites who attempted to regain control of the city of Nephi from the Lamanites. After he publicly called the king and his priests (all apostate Nephites) to repentance, he was banished, went into exile, and returned two years later to again preach against the wicked King Noah and his priests. After a memorable trial in the king’s court, the king was afraid of Abinadi’s righteous power and was willing to release him. His priests, however, would not allow it, and they succeeded in having Abinadi burned alive.

Preparation and Calling

Nothing is known about Abinadi’s calling as a prophet or his preparation for such.

Interaction with God

Abinadi was a powerful witness of Jesus Christ, whose birth was yet a century and a half in the future. He knew the sacred writings well, including those of Isaiah, and was obviously a recipient of the gift of prophecy. During the trial for his life, at one point “his face shown with exceeding luster, evan as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai.” While he was clearly familiar with the workings of the Spirit, we have little information about his direct interaction with God the Father.

Social Situation

Abinadi was in a tough spot. The Lord commanded him to cry repentance and witness against the evil doings of the king and his powerful but utterly corrupt priests. At one point, he had to sneak back into the city in disguise to fulfill his calling from the Lord. One wonders whether his purpose was not so much a mission of potential conversion but rather of providing a witness against King Noah and his priests so they could be held fully accountable at the day of judgment.

Key Teachings

Abinadi is remembered for prophecies in two particular areas: (1) his powerful witness of the coming Christ and His death and resurrection, and (2) the destruction that would come to the people because of their wickedness.

Living with the Prophet

Abinadi was faithful to his calling from God even though he knew that his life was in jeopardy. But his love for God was stronger than any fear that might have been aroused by these wicked government leaders. Have you ever been in a position where you were ridiculed or challenged because of your beliefs by someone in a position of authority?

Sources:

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, vol. 1, s.v. “Abinadi.”

Book of Mormon, the book of Mosiah.

Book of Mormon, Reader’s Edition, ed. Grant Hardy.

Lifespan

Unknown.

Ministry

Noah’s ministry was unique. He was called to preach repentance to the people, yet to prepare for their complete destruction. Along with being a preacher of righteousness, he was also called to be a naval engineer, a carpenter, a master of animal husbandry, and an agrarian genius for the rebuilding and repopulating for the earth.

Preparation and Calling

His preparation is unrecorded. His calling seems to have come when God spoke to him directly and told him to build an ark because He was going to destroy everyone else on the planet. To Noah’s credit, he heeded God’s direction every whit, and, as a result, became a sort of second “Adam” in the history of the human race.

Interaction with God

Noah seemed to have a good relationship with God. Although we don’t know the exact nature of God’s revelations to His prophet, the scriptural record explains that God spoke and Noah heard and obeyed. Whether this took place through the quiet whisperings of the Spirit, through angelic ministrants, or in a direct face-to-face with God is not explained, but given Noah’s position as apparently the most righteous man on earth, any of these options are entirely feasible.

Social Situation

The people all about Noah’s family were wicked, and God wanted to destroy them all if they didn’t repent. Noah was called to call them to repentance, build a ark, gather together samples of all animals on the earth, along with fishes and birds.

Key Teachings

Obey God and repent. Or die.

Living with the Prophet

“Sure, God. A great flood that will cover the entire earth and kill everything. And thou wouldst have me to build a boat how big? For all the animals?” Noah might have had thoughts like this when God told him to build an ark and explained its purpose, but we are all grateful that he obeyed. As we move towards the time when Jesus Christ will return to reign again, terrible things have been prophesied by God’s prophets. How will we react to those warnings? Will we obey our prophets, or find ourselves wishing we had! Resolve to learn what God’s prophets have told us and continue to tell us about the days in which we live.

Sources

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Noah”

Encyclopedia of Religion, s.v. “Noah”

Holy Bible, the book of Genesis

Learning Bible, the book of Genesis

Lifespan

Approximately early to mid-600s B.C.

Ministry

Nahum’s prophecy was probably written sometime between 660 and 606 B.C. The book of Nahum deals with events of the fall on Nineveh in 612 B.C.

Preparation and Calling

Unknown.

Interaction with God

The book of Nahum is a powerful poem, and as such, indicates that Nahum likely received inspiration as he wrote the poetry that described his prophecies and visions. Thus, his revelatory experience was likely a two-stage event: first the vision or other Spirit-directed teaching in which he received God’s word, and second as he recorded that event in the format of inspired and inspiring poetry.

Social Situation

Nineveh was the capital of Assyria. At its peak, it was the greatest city of the most dominant empire of that time. As the seventh century B.C. came to a close, Assyria’s power was dwindling and several powers stood ready to bring down the once mighty city. Nahum’s prophecy of the downfall of Assyria viewed that scene as the act of an avenging God destroying its capital and bringing peace to Judah.

Key Teachings

God will punish those nations that use their political and military power to abuse others.

Living with the Prophet

In the Old Testament, God is sometimes described as being vengeful and ready to punish the wicked at all times, whether an individual or an entire nation. As you look around you at the world today, it is easy to identify those who do not seem punished at all for their behavior. The scriptures teach that God is perfect in justice and mercy. As you see wicked nations using their power to abuse others, or the innocent injured, it can help to remember that God’s timetable is perfect and that He will set it all right.  No righteous act will go unrewarded, and no blatant evil unjudged. Knowing this often frees us from imposing sentences ourselves and enables us to leave what is God’s in His hands, after doing our part to see justice prevail.

Sources

Learning Bible, the book of Nahum

Holy Bible, the book of Nahum

Oxford Companion to the Bible, s.v. “Nahum, the book of”