The Atoning Messiah specifically notes that he has fulfilled the two redemptive missions predicted for him by the Nephite prophets. He has redeemed humankind from sin, and he has redeemed humankind from death.
This ends the Messiah’s first communication to the Nephite survivors. First, he proclaimed that he had destroyed sixteen Nephite cities as a result of the inhabitants’ wickedness. Next, he proclaimed his identity, not just as a wrathful destroyer but as the promised Atoning Messiah. As prophesied, the Messiah arrived, destroying the wicked with fire but extending mercy and redemption to those who repent and received him. In this context, the Mosaic law of sacrifice has been eliminated. The Messiah has made the final blood sacrifice. He has effected everlasting atonement.
Text: There is no chapter break at this point in the 1830 edition.
1. Perhaps this is an indication that the greatest destruction was outside of the typical Nephite lands, since this is the only time we hear of these cities. They play no other part in the text, yet are large enough to have names. Because they are mentioned by name, it is expected that the audience will be familiar with the name, but that does not require that they be part of the Nephite political sphere.
2. Brent Lee Metcalfe, “The Priority of Mosiah: A Prelude to Book of Mormon Exegesis,” in New Approaches to the Book of Mormon, edited by Brent Lee Metcalfe (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1993), 414. Alan Goff, “Positivism and the Priority of Ideology in Mosiah: First Theories of Book of Mormon Production,” FARMS Review 16, no. 1 (2004): 11–36, critiques Metcalfe and others who use the Mosiah-first theory of translation to assert human authorship.
3. Zarahemla (3 Ne. 9:3), Moroni (v. 4), Moronihah (v. 5) Gilgal (v. 6), Onihah, Mocum, Jerusalem (v. 7), Gadiandi, Gadiomnah, Jacob, Gimgimno (v. 8), Jacobugath (v. 9), Laman, Josh, Gad, and Kishkumen (v. 10).
3 Nephi 10