“A shadow of things which are to come”

When Abinadi prophesied that what Noah and his people finally did with him would be a shadow of things to come (Mosiah 13:10) we easily recognize that putting him to death by fire was a shadow of their wicked descendants putting other believers to death by fire for their belief in Christ. (Mormon made sure to point out that connection.)

I think we should also realize that if they had responded with contrition like the people of Nineveh that would have foreshadowed a future where wicked leadership would respond with contrition to the gospel message again. I think the example of king Noah in doing that (if he had) would have had far reaching effects on Nephite society.