KnoWhy #127 - Why Was Abish Mentioned by Name? (Alma 19:16)

Abish was a Lamanite servant who played a pivotal role in the conversion of King Lamoni’s people, and is one of the few named women in the Book of Mormon. In Hebrew, the name Abish may mean “father (is a) man.” Immediately after providing her name, Mormon explains that she had “been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father.” One possible interpretation is that Abish had received a vision of her Heavenly Father, or of Jesus Christ, the “Eternal Father” of heaven and earth. In staying true to biblical custom, the Nephite record keepers used Abish’s name to teach a gospel truth.