Now Abinadi turns the tables on his accusers. They have explained that they teach the Law of Moses. Abinadi asks them a fair question about the law they presume to understand. The answer is not an easy one, especially for someone who doesn‘t understand the importance of Christ’s Messianic mission. That is why Abinadi doesn’t really criticize them for their answer, which was that salvation does come by the Law of Moses. He later explains that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement…that they must unavoidably perish (Mosiah 13:28).
Using the same logic, one could ask, “Does salvation come by the higher law that was taught by the Savior?” The answer is the same, salvation doth not come by the law alone. Salvation is only possible through the atonement, regardless of which law you are under. Salvation cannot come by the law because no one is capable of meeting all the requirements of the law, For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did (Heb 7:19). Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20).