How does Messiah publish peace? He redeems his people. This is such an essential act that without it humankind “must have perished.” The priests cannot claim salvation through the law of Moses because, even with the law, there is no salvation without the atonement. Abinadi is reiterating the point he began in Mosiah 12:31 when he asked the priests if they believed that salvation came through the law of Moses. (They answered affirmatively [v. 32]). Abinadi has stressed that point to the priests’ condemnation. They have said they believe that salvation can come through the law. Abinadi boldly declares that even with the law there is no salvation except through the Messiah’s atonement.