Post by Alma –
I thank Abinadi for introducing me to my Savior Jesus Christ. Abinadi pierced my heart and had he left it to bleed out, I would be no more than dross. He however, filled the puncture with hope in a Savior who he promised would redeem my soul. I am blessed to now know my Savior, Jesus Christ. Permit me to attempt to share Abinadi’s words about our Savior.
“Have not all the prophets declared that God Himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon Him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? Have they not also said that He would be oppressed and afflicted, and that He would bring to pass the resurrection of the dead?”
We have the Plates of Brass from which we have the teachings of Isaiah, but these words from Abinadi had much more meaning. Abinadi said that our Savior will grow up as a tender plant, as a root out of dry ground. He will not be outstanding in looks or popularity, that He will not have some beauty that will draw people to Him. He will be despised and rejected of men. He will be a man of sorrows and be acquainted with grief.
Although he bears our griefs and carries our sorrows, we will see Him stricken and smitten of God and afflicted. He is wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. It is with His stripes we are healed. Because we are like sheep, all having gone astray, all of our iniquities will be laid upon Him.
He will be brought like a lamb to the slaughter, and like a sheep before the shearers is dumb, he will not open His mouth.
I have pondered those words and as now I have read other writings from the prophets, I feel I better understand what Abinadi taught about the Son of God being the very Father and the Son.
Much of what Abinadi taught is easily misunderstood, especially by those who have departed from the truth like we, as King Noah’s priests had. First, I attempt to summarize what Abinadi taught, then I hope to share how I came to understand it.
Abinadi said, “I would that ye should understand that God himself will come down among the children of men, and will redeem his people.
And because He will be born and have a body of flesh He will be called the Son of God, and while He is in the flesh and is subject to the will of His Father, He will be considered the Father and the Son—”
That alone is easily confusing, but Abinadi continued.
“Jesus can be called the Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son—”
Abinadi then said that these two are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth. I pondered these teachings with the most contrite heart possible. I quote Abinadi again.
“And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. He will be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men.”
Understanding demands humility, time and prayer. I now share how I believe Jesus Christ is understood to be the “Eternal Father.”
1. God the Father gave His full authority to His son Jesus Christ to act in His name. This means Jesus can speak as if He is the Father and He can represent His Father to all of us. Because He possesses all authority and attributes of God the Father, He can be called the “Eternal Father.”
2. We know that Jesus is the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. He did this under the direction of His Father. We believe that Jesus organized and created this physical world. In this creative role He is the “Father” of all physical creation.
3. Jesus Christ is the one who offers spiritual rebirth to those who follow Him. Those people will be born again and they become spiritually begotten sons and daughters of Christ. Therefore, Jesus Christ becomes our spiritual Father.
4. Jesus and God the Father are distinct beings, yet they are perfectly united in purpose, intent and doctrine. I call it oneness. It allows Jesus to represent His Father so completely that in a relational sense, He is considered one with the Father, and embodies His Father’s will and character.
Though God the Father and Jesus Christ are Father and Son, I refer to Jesus Christ as the Eternal Father due to His roles in creation, redemption, and divine representation.
Why this matters so much to me will be shared in a future post.
Mosiah 17:1-4, 18:1-3 | About 150 B.C.
