Stephen shows attributes of the Savior. While on the cross, the Savior spoke to the Father saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:43). Stephen’s last words were similar saying, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). Being Christlike is what Latter Day Saints have been taught to strive for. If the hearts of Saints are turned toward Christ, every day brings the actions one step closer to Christ. Stephen shows a selfless love for those, even his persecutors. In Matthew 5:44 the Savior counsel us to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Stephen lived that principle even up to his death.
In Acts 7:55 Stephen preaches saying that he was filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 7:54) and the heavens were opened and he saw “Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” This teaches that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three separate bodies therefore being the Godhead.
Abinadi and Stephen both died deaths because of angry men. They died preaching the word of God to wicked people. Their deaths were slow and painful. The men that killed these men of God had hearts hardened by the devil. I can only imagine how miserable those men must have been to have killed these great men.
