The Wicked Remain As Though There Had Been No Redemption Made

Daniel H. Ludlow

Abinadi's teaching that the wicked remain "as though there was no redemption made" (Mosiah 16:5) should not be interpreted to mean that the wicked are not resurrected. It is made abundantly clear elsewhere in the Book of Mormon that everyone who has lived on this earth will be resurrected from the dead, regardless of whether or not they keep the commandments of God. (See 2 Nephi 9:22; Alma 11:41; 33:22.)

However, Abinadi realizes that in order to be fully redeemed, a person must be worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. Thus, if a person "persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God" (Mosiah 16:5), then he cannot be worthy to return to God's presence. He remains "as though there was no redemption made" so far as regaining the presence of God is concerned.

A Companion To Your Study of The Book of Mormon

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