2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son—
3 The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son—
4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.
5 And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people.
We know that our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are separate personages (JS-H 1:17, Acts 7:56). Why, then, does Abinadi say that Jesus is both the Father and the Son? I think verse 5 gives us the answer: like us, Jesus had a dual nature during His mortal life. The word “Son” in this passage is a metaphor for His mortal body, while the word “Father” refers to His immortal spirit (see also D&C 93:4). Just as Jesus submitted His will to the will of His Father, so also His mortal body (“the Son”) had to submit its will to the will of His spirit (“the Father.”)
As disciples of Christ, we need to follow His example and ensure that our spirits also govern our physical bodies. No wonder we are given commandments like fasting, the Word of Wisdom, and getting appropriate sleep (D&C 88:124). We need to pay attention to our bodies and take good care of them. We must also bridle our passions (Alma 38:12) and not allow our physical appetites to dictate our behavior.
I’m grateful for a Savior who lived on earth in a body much like ours, and who therefore suffered temptation. I’m also grateful that He “[yielded] not to the temptation,” and that His spirit governed His mortal body perfectly. He willingly suffered and even “became obedient unto death” (Philippians 2:8) so that we could overcome our sins and weaknesses and become like Him and like our Father. Knowing this, I will govern my body in righteousness, making my flesh subject to my spirit, even as my spirit is subject to my Father in Heaven.
As disciples of Christ, we need to follow His example and ensure that our spirits also govern our physical bodies. No wonder we are given commandments like fasting, the Word of Wisdom, and getting appropriate sleep (D&C 88:124). We need to pay attention to our bodies and take good care of them. We must also bridle our passions (Alma 38:12) and not allow our physical appetites to dictate our behavior.
I’m grateful for a Savior who lived on earth in a body much like ours, and who therefore suffered temptation. I’m also grateful that He “[yielded] not to the temptation,” and that His spirit governed His mortal body perfectly. He willingly suffered and even “became obedient unto death” (Philippians 2:8) so that we could overcome our sins and weaknesses and become like Him and like our Father. Knowing this, I will govern my body in righteousness, making my flesh subject to my spirit, even as my spirit is subject to my Father in Heaven.