What More Can We Learn About Abish?

Study Material:

Alma 19:16-19; 28-31; 36

“Abish, Theophanies, and the First Lamanite Restoration” by Matthew L. Bowen

Why Was Abish Mentioned by Name? Scripture Central

Book of Mormon Evidence: Wordplay on Abish Scripture Central

Definitions: Theophany - manifestation of God; Ecastic vision - significant spiritual experience 

Discussion:

Abish is seen by God — similar to Hagar in the Old Testament — the Lord inserts a woman to move things along — we can apply this to Eve, as well

Woman at the well — face to face with Jesus — as Abish, she also runs to share the good news about Jesus — there were conversions to Christ because of the manifestations of God to these women

Abish is the only one to have this specific vision, which converted her. How did she keep this internally—did she think, this is the time? She knew this was the moment for her to use the knowledge that she had been given

The word “Lamanitish” most likely means mixed race—part Lamanite, part Nephite

Endowment is a spiritual capacity—it isn’t tangible. The temple endowment is an additional power and a gift. Abish’s vision was a gift and additional power that allowed her to bring people to Christ

The name Abish means “Father is a man.” Was she named Abish in the beginning, or is it a new name to reflect the manifestation she received?

Mormon never mentions Abish’s father’s name, but she is named

These converts are the mothers of the stripling warriors - they continued to bless future generations

Ammon’s converts enjoyed telling this story of Abish, similar to how we feel about the story of ancestors who show courage

A never-ending repentance process leads us to help others 

There is more to the scriptures than we think. We can always learn a great deal by simply reading the story or scripture, but we can learn so much more by studying and considering what we know and what we think we know.