The Nephites who had adopted Nehorite philosophy did not believe in the need for an Atoning Messiah; therefore, these signs could not confirm the existence of someone who did not exist. They took the position that “it is not reasonable” that the Messiah should come, indicating both their belief that salvation had already occurred and that one cannot know such a distant future (v. 20). They assume their cultural superiority to the residents of Jerusalem by asking why the Messiah would come to Jerusalem, but not to them, with the unstated reason: “since we are more important than Jerusalem.” (See the commentary accompanying Mosiah 3:8 for a discussion of the title, “Father of heaven and of earth.”)