Description

Abish

Somewhere before 91 BC a young Lamanite woman named Abish was converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ “on account of a remarkable vision of her father”. Now, whether her father received a vision he shared with her, or she experienced a vision of him, we are not told. Either way, she was converted to the Lord, and because she dwelt in the midst of a people who hated not only the Nephites, but the God of the Nephites, she never shared her faith with anyone.

Then one day a Nephite missionary came among her people in the land of Ishmael preaching the very faith she already knew. She stood among the servants in the King’s court and watched as Ammon preached. She witnessed King Lamoni fall to the earth under the power of the Spirit of God. She was there when he arose and bore witness to his Queen that he had been born again and had seen the Redeemer. She watched as first the Queen, and then one after another, all of the servants fell to the earth under the influence of the Spirit.

They all fell except Abish. Why did she alone remain standing? Well in part – because she alone understood what was happening, and as a witness she ran out of the court and went from house to house spreading the word, “come and see!”

It was her hope that by witnessing what had happened, she could bring about a like conversion for her people. And the people indeed came running, but the outcome was not what she had expected. Instead of faith growing among them, contention and hate arose instead. One man savagely came forward with the intent to kill Ammon, but in raising his sword he fell dead. The people were struck with astonishment and great fear; they did not understand what was happening, and exceedingly sharp contention erupted among them. Seeing the fighting, Abish was sorrowful unto tears. This is not what she had hoped would happen.

At that point, Abish came forward and took her Queen by the hand. The Queen arose and stood upon her feet, bore her new found witness of the Savior, clapped her hands in joy, and by the power of the Holy Ghost, burst forth speaking in tongues. The Queen then took King Lamoni by the hand and raised him up. The King rebuked his people for the contention among them and began to teach them. Ammon stood and joined him. One by one the servants arose from the earth each bearing testimony to the very things Abish had known for years. They spoke of visions, angels, and great doctrine.

And out of all this, “… they became a righteous people, and they did establish a Church among them.” (Alma 19:35)

How vital was Abish’s role in this great miracle? I don’t know. But can you just imagine how she felt? Finally, after so many years as a lonely and silent witness among the Lamanites, now she could stand forth and shout praises to her God in the midst of friends.

Indeed, God is good when we patiently keep the faith.

Source: 

Alma 19