This is the conclusion of Abinadi’s speech. His point is that Noah and his priests are hypocrites because they pretend to teach the people but they have no idea what they are teaching. They have missed the boat with respect to the significance of the Law of Moses. Unfortunately, Noah’s priests are not the only ones who have missed this boat. Millions have similarly misunderstood the symbolism and shadow of the Law of Moses. “But it has been said, ’There can be no shadow unless there is sunshine.’ And that sunshine is the word of the Lord; the word of Him who is the son of Righteousness, the light of the World.” (Reynolds and Sjodahl, Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p. 182)
After this great sermon of Abinadi—having delivered the message he was sent to deliver—he is now prepared to die as the first martyr of the Book of Mormon.