Mosiah 16

Abinadi reached out his hand and said, “When this time of salvation comes, everyone will see eye to eye and concede that God’s judgments are fair. The sinners will be cast out, howling and weeping, wailing, and gnashing their teeth because they have disregarded God’s words and could not be saved. The devil will have gained power over them just as the snake gained power over Adam and Eve, and caused their fall. From this fall, man has become lustful, hedonistic, and devilish by choosing evil over good and by making alliance with the devil. In the absence of God, man would remain forever lost in this fallen state.

“When man persists in his sinful nature, he is in rebellion against God and the devil holds him captive. If he remains in this state, no redemption is possible for him. Likewise, if Jesus Christ does not come as foretold, no redemption is possible. If he does not rise from the dead after his death, there cannot be resurrection. But, there will be a resurrection, and the finality of death is withdrawn through Jesus Christ.

“Jesus Christ is the endless light and life of the world that can never be darkened or ended by death. Mortal men may become immortal by setting corruption aside and choosing purity. Then God will judge each person by his actions to see whether he is good or evil. Those who are good will be rewarded with eternal life and happiness. For those who are evil, their punishment will be endless damnation and delivery to the devil. Everyone will know ahead of time both the rewards and the punishment. God’s arms are open to receive those who repent and closed to those who refuse him.

“Shouldn’t you tremble and repent your sins?” Abinadi asked the priests. “Remember, only through Jesus Christ can you be saved. If you teach the law of Moses, you should also teach that it is just a shadow of things to come.”