By Abinadi, from the Prison of King Noah
O Lord, my God,
I am alone in this cell of stone, and the shadows grow long. The torchlight fades, and the voices of the wicked echo in the hall. My flesh is bruised, and my bones ache, but my spirit is still within me—for Thou art with me.
I have delivered Thy message.
I have cried repentance to a hard-hearted people.
I have declared Thy judgments before a king drunk with pride and priests fat with flattery. I have borne witness of Thy Holy One—even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.
And though they mock, and though they condemn me, I feel Thy peace rest upon me like a mantle.
“He is despised and rejected of men…”
“…Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief…”
—Isaiah 53
O Father, I have seen it. In vision and in fire—I know.
The Messiah shall come.
He shall be led as a lamb to the slaughter.
He shall stand silent before His accusers.
He shall suffer pain beyond the comprehension of man.
He shall be pierced, He shall bleed, and yet from His wounds shall flow the balm of Gilead.
I do not know what they will do with my body,
but I know what Thou wilt do with my soul.
If they slay me, it is for Thy sake. If I die, I die in Thee.
Let my blood speak as my voice has spoken:
That salvation cometh not by law alone, but through the grace and mercy of Christ.
I think upon the young priest, Alma. He heard. He believed. He fled.
Let Thy Spirit rest upon him. Raise him up, O Lord.
May he carry the words I have spoken beyond these walls, and may Thy truth be heard in the wilderness and in the hearts of the humble.
I do not regret the fire I have kindled.
If my testimony is to be sealed with fire, then let it be as the offering of incense before Thee—holy, acceptable, sanctified in Thy purpose.
Remember me, O God, not for my strength, but for my obedience.
And if in some future day, these words shall reach another people—if they be written and preserved by Thy hand—let them know:
I knew the Christ. I saw Him afar off, and I believed. I gave my life to testify of His coming.
He is the Light, and in Him is no darkness.
He is the Deliverer.
He is the Savior of all who will come unto Him.
This is my prayer.
This is my hope.
This is my testimony.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen.
—Abinadi, in chains but free forever in Christ
