“Notice that the commandments were given after God had first taught Adam and Eve the plan of redemption. The specifics—the do’s and don’ts—followed the explanation of the larger picture—the plan. Thus, teachers and leaders today are well advised to teach the doctrinal foundation first, with the end in view, then the specific ethical components, the do’s and don’ts, to show how they fit into the plan” (Ogden and Skinner, Book of Mormon, 1:414).
What do we learn from the Book of Mormon’s consistent use of the title “the Only Begotten Son” or “the Son of God”? (12:33–34) “It is instructive to note that the phrase ‘Son of God’ often appears in certain chapters of the Book of Mormon that focus especially on aspects of the Atonement. The Book of Mormon prophets understood well that the Atonement, brought about by the matchless sacrifice of God’s earthly Son, was the central feature of the Father’s plan for his children from the beginning” (Skinner, “Doctrine of God the Father,” 220).