17:1 And now it came to pass that when Abinadi had finished these
sayings, that the king commanded that the priests should take him and
cause that he should be put to death.
17:2 But there was one among them whose name was Alma, he also being a
descendant of Nephi. And he was a young man, and he believed the words
which Abinadi had spoken, for he knew concerning the iniquity which
Abinadi has testified against them; therefore he began to plead with
the king that he would not be angry with Abinadi, but suffer that he
might depart in peace.
17:3 But the king was more wroth, and caused that Alma should be cast
out from among them, and sent his servants after him that they might
slay him.
17:4 But he fled from before them and hid himself that they found him
not. And he being concealed for many days did write all the words which
Abinadi had spoken.
17:5 And it came to pass that the king caused that his guards should
surround Abinadi and take him; and they bound him and cast him into
prison.
17:6 And after three days, having counseled with his priests, he caused
that he should again be brought before him.
17:7 And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation against
thee, and thou art worthy of death.
17:8 For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the
children of men; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death
unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil
concerning me and my people.
17:9 Now Abinadi said unto him: I say unto you, I will not recall the
words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are
true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that
I have fallen into your hands.
17:10 Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my
words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay
me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a
testimony against you at the last day.
17:11 And now king Noah was about to release him, for he feared his
word; for he feared that the judgments of God would come upon him.
17:12 But the priests lifted up their voices against him, and began to
accuse him, saying: He has reviled the king. Therefore the king was
stirred up in anger against him, and he delivered him up that he might
be slain.
17:13 And it came to pass that they took him and bound him, and
scourged his skin with faggots, yea, even unto death.
17:14 And now when the flames began to scorch him, he cried unto them,
saying:
17:15 Behold, even as ye have done unto me, so shall it come to pass
that thy seed shall cause that many shall suffer the pains that I do
suffer, even the pains of death by fire; and this because they believe
in the salvation of the Lord their God.
17:16 And it will come to pass that ye shall be afflicted with all
manner of diseases because of your iniquities.
17:17 Yea, and ye shall be smitten on every hand, and shall be driven
and scattered to and fro, even as a wild flock is driven by wild and
ferocious beasts.
17:18 And in that day ye shall be hunted, and ye shall be taken by the
hand of your enemies, and then ye shall suffer, as I suffer, the pains
of death by fire.
17:19 Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people.
O God, receive my soul.
17:20 And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having
suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would
not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words
by his death.