The Atonement and the Book of Mormon

Two thousand years ago, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” arrived at Christ’s sepulcher. 

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it … And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

The sacrifice had been made.  Death had been conquered.  The demands of Justice had been met.  The atonement was completed. 

The message and teaching of Christ’s atonement is an essential part of the Book of Mormon.  When Nephi received his great vision, the angel “spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men …  looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.  And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 11:31-33).

Before Lehi gave his children their blessings, he taught:

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.  Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.  Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

2 Nephi 2:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught the people the importance of the resurrection.

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.  For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.  Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption.  Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration.  And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

2 Nephi 9:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.  And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come?

Jacob 4:11-12 (Emphasis mine)

King Benjamin taught the people about the atonement. 

And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.  And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Mosiah 3:16-17 (Emphasis mine)

I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.  And this is the means whereby salvation cometh.  And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.

Mosiah 4:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

When Abinadi stood before wicked King Noah and his priests, he explained the Law of Moses, which they claimed to teach.  After his explanation, he continued:

And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the Law of Moses.  I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses. And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the Law of Moses.

Mosiah 13:27-28 (Emphasis mine)

Abinadi tells them the Law of Moses in temporary; salvation does not come through the Law.  It comes through “the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people.” 

When Alma(2) taught the people of Gideon, he taught the atonement.

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Alma 7:11-12 (Emphasis mine)

Amulek taught the Zoramites the atonement.

And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true.  Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.  For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.  Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another.

Alma 34:8-11 (Emphasis mine)

We have the great teachings of Alma(2) to his son Corianton.

The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.  And so it is on the other hand.  If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.

Alma 41:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death … And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord … [A]ccording to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice.  Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; … the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also … [T]here is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed …  mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement … For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.

Alma 42:9, 1, 13, 15, 22-24 (Emphasis mine)

When Christ appeared to the Nephites, one of the first thing He told them was to “[a]rise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world” (3 Nephi 11:14).

In the next to last verse in the Book of Mormon, Moroni(2) writes, “if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:33).

Let us always remember the great sacrifice made by our Savior so that someday we can return to the presence of God.

Alma 30:51-60

51  And now when the chief judge saw this, he put forth his hand and wrote unto Korihor, saying: Art thou convinced of the power of God?  In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his sign?  Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee a sign?  Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye dispute more?

52  And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying: I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I always knew that there was a God.

53  But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown God.  And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me that which I should say.  And I have taught his words; and I taught them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.

Alma 30:51-53 (Emphasis mine)

Korihor has received his sign.  He can neither hear nor speak. 

The chief judge wrote him a note that asked, “Are you convinced there is a God and He has power?  Will you still challenge God and argue against Him?”

For the first time in this account, we begin to see the type of person Korihor truly is.  He confesses that only God could have done this.  And, he says he always knew there was a God. 

See, it’s all the devil’s fault.  He deceived me.  He appeared as an angle, told me there is no God, and taught all I should say.  As I taught this, and had so much success, I actually began to believe my lies.  I have brought this curse upon me.

13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 (Emphasis mine)

Richard Rust comments on the justice in Korihor’s punishment.

“There is poetic justice in this consequence: a man whose unrighteous influence depended on his skillful use of words is struck dumb at his own proud insistence. The power of Korihor's language is overcome by the power of God through Alma. To the chief judge's query, ‘Art thou convinced of the power of God?’ (Alma 30:51), Korihor in his extremity writes the truth. In its simplicity and in its emphasis on knowing, Korihor's subdued statement contrasts sharply with his earlier taunting disbelief: ‘I know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing save it were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I always knew that there was a God’ (Alma 30:52).” [1] (Emphasis mine)

54  Now when he had said this, he besought that Alma should pray unto God, that the curse might be taken from him.

55  But Alma said unto him: If this curse should be taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will.

56  And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off of Korihor; but he was cast out, and went about from house to house begging for his food.

Alma 30:54-56 (Emphasis mine)

Korihor felt that his confession was enough.  He then asked Alma(2) to pray and ask God to remove his curse.  But Alma(2) knew better.

If I did this, he said, you would go back to your evil ways.  You would again lead people away from the truth, so the curse stays.

Korihor, once a proud, arrogant, and prominent man, was then force to beg for his very survival.

57  Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor was immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments would come unto them.

58  And it came to pass that they were all convinced of the wickedness of Korihor; therefore they were all converted again unto the Lord; and this put an end to the iniquity after the manner of Korihor.  And Korihor did go about from house to house, begging food for his support.

59  And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram—and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead.

60  And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell.

Alma 30:57-60 (Emphasis mine)

The chief judge published a proclamation throughout the land telling the people what had happened to Korihor.  They must speedily repent “lest the same judgments would come unto them.”  Korihor’s converts repented and returned to the Lord.

Korihor met a violent end.  He eventually left and went among the Zoramites.  They were a group of proud and arrogant Nephite dissidents.  No doubt, he believed not only would he feel more comfortable among these people, but also that they were kindred spirits.  Korihor was also a Nephite dissident. 

Instead, he met was trampled by a mob.  (We have no idea what was responsible for his  being trampled by this mob.)

We close the story of Korihor with the wisdom and insight of Mormon.  He reminds us that if we serve the devil, he will not support us at the last day.  He will drag us down to hell.

Dennis and Sandra Packard provide and interesting comparison of Alma(2) and Korihor.

“How are Alma the Younger and Korihor alike and different? Alma and Korihor were both gifted speakers who used their persuasive powers to flatter and deceive people into leaving the church and into committing sin. Both were struck dumb for their iniquities, Alma in terror over an angel's warning, and Korihor by a prophet in response to his request for a sign. The similarity ends there. Alma accepted responsibility for his sins, ‘repenting nigh unto death’  (Mosiah 27:28) and becoming a great missionary of righteousness. Korihor, on the other hand, blamed his sins on the devil, who, he said, appeared to him as an angel of light. He didn't repent and died dumb. The prophet who struck Korihor dumb was the then mature Alma. His own past and repentance must have given him insight into Korihor's soul, for he told Korihor, ‘If this curse should be taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will’ (Alma 30:55).” [2] (Emphasis mine)    

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[1] "To Show unto the Remnant of the House of Israel" - Narrators and Narratives, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 20, 2011.

[2] Pondering the Word, Dennis Packard, and Sandra Packard, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 20, 2011.

Alma 8:27-32, Alma 9:1-4

27  And Alma tarried many days with Amulek before he began to preach unto the people.

28  And it came to pass that the people did wax more gross in their iniquities.

29  And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my servant Amulek, go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying—Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord, except ye repent I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce anger away.

30  And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.

31  And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison.  Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them.

32  And it came to pass that they went forth and began to preach and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit and power which the Lord had given them.

Alma 8:27-32 (Emphasis mine)

Finally, the time came for Alma(2) to go and preach to the people.  But he was not to go alone.  Amulek was to go with him.  They went forth with the power of God behind them. 

It was not possible to kill them; they couldn’t be jailed.  Even though they had this protection, they only used it when they could show that they went forth with the power of the Lord.  For example, they only time they exercised their power to keep from being confined in prisons was when there were thrown into prisons.  Then they used their power and were released from confinement.

 Thomas Valletta writes: 

“After Alma's return to Ammonihah and while he was spiritually preparing Amulek, the people ‘did wax more gross in their iniquities’ (Alma 8:28). Again Alma ‘went forth,’ this time with Amulek, ‘to declare the words of God unto’ the wicked of Ammonihah (Alma 8:30). Filled with the Holy Ghost, Alma and Amulek preached and prophesied ‘according to the spirit and power which the Lord had given them’ (Alma 8:32). Alma was the first to speak, but his spirit and power seemed not to influence the people. They reacted contentiously (see Alma 9:1).” [1]     (Emphasis mine)

The words of Alma, and also the words of Amulek, which were declared unto the people who were in the land of Ammonihah.  And also they are cast into prison, and delivered by the miraculous power of God which was in them, according to the record of Alma.

Comprising chapters 9 to 14 inclusive.

Chapter 9

Alma commands the people of Ammonihah to repent—The Lord will be merciful to the Lamanites in the last days—If the Nephites forsake the light, they shall be destroyed by the Lamanites—The Son of God soon cometh—He shall redeem those who repent and are baptized and have faith in his name. About 82 B.C.

We now return to Alma(2)’s account.

1  AND again, I, Alma, having been commanded of God that I should take Amulek and go forth and preach again unto this people, or the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass as I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me, saying:

2  Who art thou?  Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony of one man, although he should preach unto us that the earth should pass away?

3  Now they understood not the words which they spake; for they knew not that the earth should pass away.

4  And they said also: We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day.

Alma 9:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) began to preach and he was immediately challenged by the people of Ammonihah.

Who are you?  Why should we believe the testimony of one man?  Then they made it clear that the rejected his prophecy that Ammonihah would be destroyed in one day. 

(Jump ahead to Alma 16:9-10:  And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.  But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcasses were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the wilderness.  So much for their foresight.)

Hugh Nibley said:

“But first Alma was preaching to them. Was it the same old thing here? Well, it was different because they put up a fight. They argued back. They shouted back and forth. It turned out to be a shouting match. Alma began to preach to the people, and he said (chapter 9, verse 1): ‘As I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me, saying … This is Alma's own record here; before it was [Mormon’s] record. They said, you have no clout—we don't know who you are … they said, ‘Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony of one man, although he should preach unto us that the earth should pass away? Now they understood not the words which they spake; for they knew not that the earth should pass away.’ They were pronouncing the doom on themselves. Their city was buried completely.”  [2] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Conflicting Orders: Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah, Thomas R. Valletta, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 13, 2011.

[2] Lecture 47: Alma 5-10, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 13, 2011.

Alma 8:1-10

We’ve studied the missionary work of the sons of Mosiah.  I would like to return to the works of Alma(2).

Chapter 8

Alma preaches and baptizes in Melek—He is rejected in Ammonihah and leaves—An angel commands him to return and cry repentance unto the people—He is received by Amulek, and the two of them preach in Ammonihah. About 82 B.C.

1  AND now it came to pass that Alma returned from the land of Gideon, after having taught the people of Gideon many things which cannot be written, having established the order of the church, according as he had before done in the land of Zarahemla, yea, he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from the labors which he had performed.

2  And thus ended the ninth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

3  And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth year [82 B.C.] of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma departed from thence and took his journey over into the land of Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders of the wilderness.

4  And he began to teach the people in the land of Melek according to the holy order of God, by which he had been called; and he began to teach the people throughout all the land of Melek.

Alma 8:1-4 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) had been preaching to the church.  In Chapters 5 and 6, he was preaching to the church in the Zarahemla area.  There were problems that had to be addressed. 

After he finished preaching, he went to Gideon.  There, he found the church strong and the members faithful.  He went home for a time after preaching in Gideon.

He was home for about a year.  Then, he went to the land of Melek to preaching to the people there.  John Tvedtnes suggests, “[t]he name [Melek] means "king," suggesting that it may have been a Mulekite settlement.”[1]

Hugh Nibley points out that he went to Melek to organize an order of the church.

“Next he went to the city of Melek. This was a very interesting mission he had in the city of Melek. What he was doing was going around establishing the order of the church in all these places. It says here [Alma 8:1]: ‘having established the order of the church, according as he had before done in the land of Zarahemla.’ Zarahemla is the model; it is just like the center stake of Zion. They're all organized on the pattern of Zarahemla here.” [2]   (Emphasis mine)

5  And it came to pass that the people came to him throughout all the borders of the land which was by the wilderness side.  And they were baptized throughout all the land;

6  So that when he had finished his work at Melek he departed thence, and traveled three days' journey on the north of the land of Melek; and he came to a city which was called Ammonihah.

Alma 8:5-6 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) found success in Melek.  Many were baptized.  His next stop was the city of Ammonihah.

7  Now it was the custom of the people of Nephi to call their lands, and their cities, and their villages, yea, even all their small villages, after the name of him who first possessed them; and thus it was with the land of Ammonihah.

8  And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the city of Ammonihah he began to preach the word of God unto them.

9  Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma.

10  Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.

Alma 8:7-10 (Emphasis mine)

Mormon shares with us a Nephite custom.  The lands, cities, and villages were named after the person who first possessed them.  In this case, the city was named after Ammonihah. 

The people of Ammonihah rejected Alma(2)’s message.  They refused to listen.

Alma(2) continued preaching, relying on the Spirit to guide him after having wrestled with the Lord.  This is an interesting term, wrestling with the Lord.  What exactly does the mean?  Hugh Nibley explains:

“Wrestling with God? Does God resist you? Do you have to resist him? No, you have to put yourself into position, in the right state of mind … In the world we operate on a different level. It takes great mental effort to confront the Lord in all seriousness. We do it at various shallow levels, by routine. We have a prayer here because we feel we should. If we're going to make it really serious, we have to work on it harder. We couldn't do it cold. In other words, you can't just come in cold … if it comes to confronting the Lord, you have to be very serious about that sort of thing. It's quite a preliminary exercise, which is called wrestling with the Lord, wrestling with yourself.” [3] (Emphasis mine)

Why did they reject Alma(2).  Hugh Nibley briefly explains their history.

“But [the people of Ammonihah] wouldn't have anything to do with him. These weren't dissenters. See, these were people who had been living alone by themselves. They broke off at an early time, and they'd had their own religion for a long time.”  ^[4] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Book of Mormon Tribal Affiliation and Military Castes, John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 8, 2011.

[2] Lecture 47: Alma 5-10, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 8, 2011.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.