Rhetoric: The prophets certainly accept the Atoning Messiah’s mission. It is they who know it best. This point is critical in Abinadi’s argument. He must answer the question about those who publish peace, and for him the obvious answer is the prophets. However, since Abinadi’s real purpose is to hammer home the priests’ apostasy in denying the Messiah, he must clearly define the prophets as believers. Then, when he returns to the original question asked of him, his rhetorical gun is fully loaded with powerful ammunition. He can now focus all of the priests’ agenda against them and their greatest heresy.