Consecration Enhances Individuality

Abinadi is preaching to the wicked priests of King Noah, attempting to teach them that our will can submit to the will of the Father without losing ourselves.  It's a hard concept to learn.

In Mosiah 15:7, he says, "the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father."
Here are some quotes on the subject:


Neal A. Maxwell

"It was all made possible by the Savior's splendid submissiveness. He did voluntarily what He was not forced to do; it was something no other child of God could do! 'There was no other good enough to pay the price of sin' (Hymns no. 194). 'Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father' (Mosiah 15:7). The imagery and theology of this verse tell us that Jesus was totally, perfectly, and fully consecrated.

"Being 'swallowed up' means being totally enveloped-without question, protest, reservation, or resentment. It is 'all the way,' not halfway. Choosing such spiritual submission is the highest act of deliberate, individual will: 'And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt' (Mark 14:36; emphasis added).

"Though Jesus' will was thus 'swallowed up,' we certainly don't notice any diminution of Jesus' individuality after the Atonement, do we? In fact, not only was He resplendent, but after the Resurrection, amid some of His sheep, He declared that His joy was now 'full' (3 Nephi 17:20). Consecration enhances individuality. Furthermore, when we are 'swallowed up' in His will we will also know what it is like to be 'swallowed up in the joy of Christ' (Alma 31:38)." (That Ye May Believe, pp. 2-3)

Henry B. Eyring

"In considering consecration, it is well to remember . . . that nothing is held back-whether turf, attitude, or hobbies. One's will is to be swallowed up in the will of God - just as occurred with Jesus...the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father...Most forms of holding back are rooted in pride or are prompted by the mistaken notion that somehow we are diminished by submission to God. Actually, the greater the submission, the greater the expansion!" (Henry B. Eyring, On Becoming a Disciple Scholar, pp. 61-2)

In our lives, some people are very reluctant to submit their will to the will of the Father.  They really fear that they will lose something of themselves.  These two great men have just taught that the opposite is true.  When we fight to maintain our individuality we show pride and stubbornness.  We need to give our will to the Father, as Maxwell taught so many times.