“They Are the Heirs of the Kingdom of God”

Brant Gardner

The agricultural imagery of the process of growth is fused with the biological process of fathering a child. The seed is planted, and the planter becomes father to the new growth. It is the prophets who create the conditions whereby a human being may become the “seed” or children of the Father. Abinadi has declared that the prophets have declared the Atoning Messiah (Mosiah 13:33–35). Their teachings prepared the people for the Messiah’s mortal mission. When the people are thus prepared, they become the fallow ground for growing this seed. Abinadi’s conclusion that they are “heirs of the kingdom of God” depends on the father-child relationship that he declares is created through this process. The “seed” are heirs because they are children of their father, and inheritance is the children’s right.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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