Mosiah 12

As Abinadi begins to call the people to repentance, we begin to see the resistance and methods of demagoguery of the wicked in order to maintain their power beginning with first -

"...they were wroth with him..." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:26)

They then try to demean them or their principles saying -

"...Who is Abinadi, that I and my people should be judged of him, or who is the Lord, that shall bring upon my people such great affliction?" (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:27)

Next, they try to get rid of them -

"...for he has said these things that he might stir up my people to anger one with another, and to raise contentions among my people; therefore I will slay him.: (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:28)

And then they ignore them and continue their wicked ways for -

"Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:29)

In this case, Abinadi would not go away, and returned several years away. Finally they, (wicked priests) had to confront him in order to cross him to condemn him. I find it very interesting the first question poised by these men. Because Abinadi had come to condemn their wickedness and call them to repentance, it seemed the priests tried to use a gospel truth to suggest that Abinadi was causing contention and confilect and not in accordance to the teachings of the prophets... in other words, attempting to -

"... call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Old Testament | Isaiah 5:20)

The priest asked -

"...What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying:
21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth..." (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 12:20 - 21)

Obviously, he was suggesting that Abinadi was not bringing "good tidings".

But I love how Abinadi turned the tables -

"And now Abinadi said unto them: Are you priests, and pretend to teach this people, and to understand the spirit of prophesying, and yet desire to know of me what these things mean?
26 I say unto you, wo be unto you for perverting the ways of the Lord! For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord.
27 Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. Therefore, what teach ye this people?" (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 12:25 - 27)

From then on, Abinadi was in charge of this hearing and conducted it in such a manner to not only call the priests to repentance, but in a manner to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in responding to the very question asked of the priest. We witness a marvelous and spiritual discourse inspired by the Holy Ghost. It was sufficient to convert one of the great lleaders of the Book of Mormon...Alma.