Chapter 16

God redeems men from their lost and fallen state—Those who are carnal remain as though there were no redemption—Christ brings to pass a resurrection to endless life or to endless damnation. About 148 B.C.

1. And now, it came to pass that after Abinadi had spoken these words he stretched forth his hand and said: The time shall come when all shall see the

salvation of the Lord; when

every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall

confess before God that his

judgments are just.

2. And then shall the

wicked be

cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and

weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not

hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.

3. For they are

carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did

beguile our first parents, which was the

cause of their fall; which was the cause of

all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish,

knowing evil from good,

subjecting themselves to the devil.

4. Thus all mankind were

lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state.

5. But remember that he that persists in his own

carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the

devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no

redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the

devil an enemy to God.

6. And now if Christ had not come into the world, speaking of things to come

as though they had already come, there could have been no redemption.

7. And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no

sting, there could have been no resurrection.

8. But there is a

resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of

death is swallowed up in Christ.

9. He is the

light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

10. Even this mortal shall put on

immortality, and this

corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to

stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil—

11. If they be good, to the resurrection of

endless life and

happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of

endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—

12. Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would

not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent.

13. And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved?

14. Therefore, if ye teach the

law of Moses, also teach that it is a

shadow of those things which are to come—

15. Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very

Eternal Father. Amen.

1a. TG Salvation.