Mosiah 17

There is a modern corollary to what happened when Abinadi accused the king. A free people have the right to question their leaders. The leaders here were threatened by the things Abinadi said, and what they feared was loss of power. They said that Abinadi was worthy of death because he taught that "God himself should come down among the children of men." (v. 8) Nevertheless, King Noah offered to release him if he would "recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people."

They feared that the truth about their iniquity would undermine their authority over the people, which of course it did. Alma, one of Noah's priests, believed the things that Abinadi said and started a popular movement that the regime felt compelled to repress. Evil always fears the truth. One way people who are threatened by the truth seem to react is to attack the source. The one telling the truth is accused of being subversive in some way ("He has reviled the king.").

Those who are on the side of truth have an obligation to stand up and be counted. Abinadi refused to bow to threat and was murdered for what he believed, not for something he did. I pray for liberty in this world to speak the truth and proclaim liberty to the captive. As I look around, it's clear that evil is often called good, and good evil. It's up to us to stand up for what is right in spite of opposition and calumny.