Mosiah 11

Zeniff was succeeded as king by his son Noah, who did not respect or obey the laws of God. He had many wives and mistresses and allowed his people to live in sin and abominations. The people fell into all forms of fornication and wicked behavior.

King Noah imposed a tax on the kingdom and demanded a fifth of all wealth, livestock, and harvests. With these riches he supported his wives and mistresses in luxury while the rest of the people worked to provide the goods. He deposed all of the humble priests whom Zeniff had installed and replaced them with new ones who were filled with pride and self-importance. King Noah and his lazy retainers led a life of idol worship and fornication at the expense of the people who paid for their wickedness with their heavy taxes. Following this example, the people also became immoral and corrupt.

King Noah built elegant and spacious buildings adorned with fine woodwork, gold, silver, iron, brass, and copper. An imposing throne and decadent seats were made for the king and his priests to amplify their importance and vanity. A high tower was built near the temple where the king could look out across his kingdom and into the land of the Lamanites. King Noah’s heart was consumed with the pursuit of riches and sumptuous living with his wives and mistresses. His priests consorted with whores. Extensive vineyards were planted around the land and wine was made available in great quantities to the king and all his people.

The Lamanites began to sneak back into the kingdom and kill outlying herders and farmers. King Noah tried to send out guards to protect the people, but the efforts were too little. The Lamanites killed the guards and stole the livestock in a fresh attempt to destroy the hated Nephites. When King Noah sent out his army, the Lamanites withdrew. The kingdom celebrated and boastfully exaggerated their military capabilities against the Lamanite multitudes. They reveled in their power and took delight in bloodshed.

A prophet arose in the kingdom and said, “God has commanded me to speak on his behalf. He curses this kingdom because of the abominations, fornications, and wickedness of the people. Unless you repent, you will receive his anger.” His name was Abinadi. [150 BC]

“You will be delivered into the hands of your enemies as slaves. You will come to know God as a jealous master, who is intolerant of your sinful living. When you come crying to him about the ill treatment you receive from your enemies, he will be slow to answer. Unless you humble yourselves before God and repent your ways, you will be punished. God has commanded me to say this to you.”

After hearing this, the people were angry with Abinadi. When they tried to have him killed, God intervened and protected him. When King Noah heard about Abinadi’s words, he was furious. “Who is this Abinadi,” he asked, “that we should be judged by him? Who does God think he is that can bring troubles on my kingdom? Bring Abinadi to me now, so that I can personally kill him. I will not tolerate his attempts to stir up my people.”

Because the people were blinded by the leadership of King Noah, they rejected Abinadi’s warnings and sought to help their king destroy him. No one repented.