Abish (Book of Mormon)

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This article is about the Book of Mormon figure. For Walter Abish, the author, see Walter Abish.

According to the Book of Mormon, Abish (/ˈeɪbɪʃ/)[1] was a "Lamanitish"[2] woman who lived in the 1st century BC. Abish is one of only three women named in the Book of Mormon (other than those who also appear in the Bible). She is mentioned in the narrative of the Book of Alma,[3] and is notable as a figure in the dramatic narrative of the conversion of King Lamoni by the missionary Ammon.

Scriptural account[]

Abish plays a key role in the conversion of an entire kingdom of Lamanites. Abish is introduced in the 19th chapter of the Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon. She is a servant of a Lamanite king (King Lamoni) and one of the few Lamanites who believe in Jesus Christ.

Prior to Abish’s introduction, the Book of Mormon discusses the missionary efforts of several Nephites. These missionaries desired to preach their religion in the lands of the Lamanites in spite of great danger to themselves. In the words of the Book of Mormon, “[The missionaries] were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish.”[4]

One of these missionaries, Ammon, begins to preach in the land of King Lamoni. He wins the king’s friendship by first becoming the king’s servant and serving well. After gaining the king’s friendship, the king asks Ammon to teach him about God and Ammon’s religion. The king is converted and faints from joy as does his wife, the queen, their servants who are present, and Ammon himself. Of all who are present, only Abish does not faint. The text explains that this was due to her earlier conversion through “a remarkable vision of her father.”[5]

When Abish sees that everyone has fainted she knows it is the result of the power of the Lord.[6] Upon recognizing this, she hopes that the experience will help others also be converted to following God, and so she begins to run from house to house calling the people to come and see. However, Abish is heartbroken when many of the people begin arguing about what has happened. Some people think it is “a great evil that had come upon them”.[7] One of the people even attempts to kill Ammon while he is unconscious.[8] The people continue arguing and Abish is “exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.”[9] She goes to the queen and tries to raise her and the queen wakes up and joyfully proclaims her conversion.[10] The queen then wakes the king who also tells of his conversion and begins to teach his people about God. As a result, many more people are converted. Thus Abish eventually gets her wish that the people be converted by coming to see the miracle that had occurred. This event begins a chain of great conversion among the people of the Lamanites.[11]

Recent theological/cultural reception[]

Abish began to be discussed in scholarship of this century. An article in the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies uses her as one of many examples of Book of Mormon names that also show up in ancient Hebrew writings.[12] Another article of the same journal discusses how the story of Abish proves that the Book of Mormon is not sexist or misogynist, despite very few explicit mentions of women.[13] Both of these treatments are more apologetic in nature than academic.[citation needed]

More recent studies have focused more on how Abish functions as a central figure in the narrative of Lamanite conversion, and what this says about the treatment of women in the Book of Mormon.[citation needed]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ churchofjesuschrist.org: "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" (retrieved 2012-02-25), IPA-ified from «ā´bĭsh»
  2. ^ "Alma 19". www.churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  3. ^ Alma 19:16
  4. ^ Mosiah 28:3
  5. ^ Alma 19:16
  6. ^ Alma 19:17
  7. ^ Alma 19:19
  8. ^ Alma 19:22
  9. ^ Alma 19:28
  10. ^ Alma 19:29
  11. ^ Alma 19:36
  12. ^ Tvedtnes, John A.; Gee, John; Roper, Matthew (2000). "Book of Mormon Names Attested in Ancient Hebrew Inscriptions". Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. 9 (1): 40–79. ISSN 1065-9366.
  13. ^ Williams, Camille S. (2002). "Women in the Book of Mormon: Inclusion, Exclusion, & Interpretation". Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. 11 (1): 66–79. doi:10.5406/jbookmormstud.11.1.0066. ISSN 1065-9366.
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