Life in this mortal state is not simply to be lived, but is an opportunity to improve our souls. Thus, humankind needed to “know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them.” That is, they needed to understand the greatness of the plan and how it extended beyond this mortality.
To do so, Jehovah sent angels to deliver the message, and, therefore, the gospel became known. In terms the Nephites might more readily understand, the law of Moses was declared. This was not all, however, for there is also the possibility of spiritual death. That possibility also required a remedy through God’s plan, and that is the plan of redemption, or the Atonement. That was the part of the plan that depended upon agency, upon humankind acting “according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.”