2
Ne 9:26 the atonement satisfieth the demands of
justice upon all those who have not the law
The
atonement has power to save those in a state of innocence. In particular, this
applies to two main groups, children and those who
have not the law given to them. This principle is taught in the law of
sacrifice as found in the law of Moses, If a soul shall
sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord¡¦.[the priest]
shall do with the bullock as he did with the bullock for a sin offering¡¦the
priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them
(Lev 4:2,20).
The
Book of Mormon teaches this principle in several different locations. King
Benjamin¡¯s sermon includes the following, his blood
atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who
have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly
sinned (Mosiah 3:11). Mormon teaches that both children and those
without the law will be saved, For behold that all
little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the
law, for the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law (Moroni
8:22).
The
scriptures go so far as to say that those without the law will come forth in
the first resurrection, And then shall the heathen
nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection;
and it shall be tolerable for them (DC 45:54). They will come forth in
the first resurrection after those who are ¡°the
first fruits¡± (or those who come forth in the morning of the first
resurrection). For the most part, they will inherit the terrestial kingdom and
will be resurrected as ¡°those who are Christ¡¯s at
his coming¡± (or those who come forth in the afternoon of the first
resurrection). See DC 88:98-9 and DC 76:71-73. If you are still confused by
this doctrine, read Mosiah 15:24-25, Heb 5:2, DC 137:7, and Mormon Doctrine,
p. 640.