Rhetorical: Amulek begins at the point of commonality. There is clearly an understanding of the relationship between sacrifice and atonement; not the atonement, but communal atonement. This is certainly part of the Old World inheritance where sacrifices of animals would effect the communal atonement (see Exodus 29:36, Leviticus 23:27, Numbers 6:10-11). In the New World they would be familiar with similar actions in the peoples around them where animals were also offered as sacrifices. What is most important for Amulek’s discussion is that he explicitly notes that “it shall not be a human sacrifice.” Why does Amulek mention this?
The obvious connection is that there will be a sacrifice by the coming Christ. However, the emphasis here is still interesting. Amulek indicates that the Savior will be a sacrifice. He has indicated that he will come on earth. Is Amulek arguing that the Savior will not be human and therefore not a human sacrifice? Absolutely not. Amulek is teaching in a culture where human sacrifice was known and accepted. Those sacrifices had atoning qualities for those who believed in them, and Amulek takes pains to make it clear that the sacrifice of the Atoning Messiah will not be a human sacrifice such as that with which they are familiar.