Large fires can start from a single spark. Abinadi was only one man testifying against a powerful king and his court. His words were rejected for the most part, and he was sentenced to death. Yet his testimony of Jesus Christ, who is the "light ... that can never be darkened" (Mosiah 16:9), sparked something inside the young priest Alma. And that spark of conversion slowly grew as Alma brought many others to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The flames that killed Abinadi eventually died out, but the fire of faith that his words created would have a lasting influence on the Nephites—and on those who read his words today ...
Record Personal Testimonies
To create an opportunity for those you love to be influenced by your testimony now and in the future, modern technology has provided an incredible opportunity. You can preserve a hand-written document by uploading a photo, and you can record your personal witness of Jesus Christ on FamilySearch using the FamilySearch Memories Audio app or the Record My Story feature on FamilySearch Discovery. You can also share these items with others in FamilySearch via text, email, etc. by tapping the "Share" symbol. Check out this feature on the MyHeritage app: New: Audio Recordings for Interviewing your Relatives. Also check out Add Audio to Your Family Tree at Ancestry! Recording can be done individually or in a family or other setting. Your testimony may contain the words that will help family members strengthen their own!
I can stand for truth, even when I stand alone. Imagine how discouraging it must have been for Abinadi to cry repentance to a people who did not seem at all interested in changing their wicked ways. His message was rejected again and again. Yet Abinadi never gave up. When have you felt like you were standing alone in defense of the truth? As you read Mosiah 11–13 and 17, what do you learn that can help you be ready when the Lord needs you to stand up for the gospel? What other principles do you learn from Abinadi's example? ... Abinadi and Alma are inspiring examples of staying loyal to the truth even when doing so is unpopular. Members of your family may be facing social pressure to compromise their standards. What can they learn from Abinadi and Alma about standing for truth?
Inspirational Stories
In addition to learning from the faith and courage of Abinadi, Alma the Elder, and other prophets in the Book of Mormon, what can we learn from our ancestors and others who dared to stand alone?
One idea is to create a physical booklet or an online collection of inspirational stories of your ancestors and others that describe great faith, courage and perseverance while defending the gospel of Jesus Christ. You could include photos, a list of related stories and video links. See the links above in the first activity for online options to preserve your stories and photos, along with what you learn from the accounts. Share these stories with those you love. Extended family members may want to contribute also.
Think "story-time" as you make plans for family events, and as you go about your daily life. Use the "add-on" principle to fit in a story here and there, especially at bed-time, meal-time, home church, and while traveling. Share stories on social media.
You could also audio- or video- record your family members as they tell or read stories and also add these to FamilySearch or another site.
Your Personal History
"Generations are affected by the choices we make. Share your testimony with your family; encourage them to remember how they felt when they recognized the Spirit in their lives and to record those feelings in journals and personal histories so that their own words may, when needed, bring to their remembrance how good the Lord has been to them." (Ronald A. Rasband, Lest Thou Forget, General Conference, October 2016
Note: If you write part of your personal history (including your testimony) every day for a year you will have as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson. By the end of the year, you will have 50 stories to share! You might want to consider audio-recording and adding to your FamilySearch Memories.
