Mosiah 11

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I wonder why Zeniff conferred the kingdom on his son Noah. Did Noah keep the law of God when his father was alive, or was he already wicked?  Was it Zeniff's nature to look at the good in people that caused him to see past the bad into the good in Noah (if there was any?)  Perhaps his other sons were even worse than Noah.

Who knows. But, I do know that I am sad it happened. King Noah was a bad man. He knowingly went against the will of God.

It's amazing what pride coupled withe laziness creates. King Noah and his crew felt entitled to all the good things in life while giving nothing in return. 

It is nice to know that even when people are wicked (or especially when they are) that Heavenly Father still loves them and wants them to return to Him. That's why he sends prophets---that's why he sent Abinidi.

I wonder how old Abinidi was. Was he part of the group that left Zarahemla with Zeniff? Did he know King Benjamin, and get to hear him before they left?

We always  picture Abinidi as being very old, so perhaps that was a great possibility. 

Or, was Abinidi sent from somewhere else? In verse 27 King Noah asks, "Who is Abinidi, that I am and my people should be judged of him..."  He could either be saying that like, "hey, I totally know this guy. He's one of my followers. What makes him think he's better than me?"  Or he could mean, "Who is this guy? I don't know him and and doesn't know me, so how can he judge me?"

I dont 'know, but it's intriguing, if nothing else.

The Lord has a purpose in all that He does. And if we live righteously our lives will be used for His purposes--the greatest of which is allowing to learn and grow--and our lives will be prolonged by Him until we have done all that He knows we need to do for Him and for us.

Abinidi's work wasn't finished yet, so the Lord preserved his life, and delivered him out of their hands.  I have faith that the Lord will do the same for me. (and yet, I am SO grateful that my trials are not people trying to kill me!)