Abinadi has warned the rebellious and prideful King Noah and his courtiers that the same fate they have chosen to inflict upon him will, in turn, be inflicted upon them and their followers. Abinadi’s last words amidst his fiery grave, are: “Thus God executeth vengeance upon those that destroy his people. O God, receive my soul” (Mosiah 17:19). It is not long thereafter that the Lamanites invade the colony, causing Noah and his priests to flee for their lives. When a search party comes after Noah and his group to deliver him to the Lamanites, Noah refuses to let his companions return, and they pronounce summary judgment upon him “and caused that he should suffer, even unto death by fire” (Mosiah 19:20). Thus we see that the Lord’s word, delivered through the voice of His servant, is inviolate.
The justice of God is immovable. Just as God will fulfill His promised blessings to the righteous without fail, He will also execute judgment upon those who reject His word and turn back His servants. President Spencer W. Kimball emphasized this point with stark clarity: “Remember, God is in his heavens. He knew what he was doing when he organized the earth. He knows what he is doing now. Those of us who break his commandments will regret and suffer in remorse and pain. God will not be mocked. Man has his free agency, it is sure, but remember, GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED. (See D&C 63:58.) Our counsel then to you is to live strictly the laws of your Heavenly Father” (“God Will Not Be Mocked,” Ensign, Nov. 1974, 4ff).
King Noah suffers death by fire as Abinadi has prophesied (see Mosiah 17:18). Let us realize that when the prophets speak, it is the same as if the Lord were speaking. The words of our prophets will be fulfilled. When we come to understand and appreciate this eternal truth, we will be more obedient to prophets both living and dead. We shall see in later scriptures that the wicked priests of Noah and their successors, in league with the Lamanites, cause much pain and suffering among the people over the next generation or two before they are subjected to the judgments of God (see Alma 25:4–13). Thus we will see how much destruction one wicked king can cause, just as Mosiah later reminds us: “Yea, remember King Noah, his wickedness and his abominations, and also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage” (Mosiah 29:18). But there is to be a favorable and comforting side to the story as well, for the faithful Nephites who put their trust in the Lord will be liberated by a merciful Lord (see Mosiah 29:19–20).