Mosiah 2

Sacrifice as similitude

And they also took of the firstlings of their flocks, that they might offer sacrifice and burnt offerings according to the law of Moses; Mosiah 2:3

The people offer firstlings of their flocks under the law of Moses. The Book of Mormon teaches these sacrifices were a similitude of the Only Begotten, pointing to Christ's great and last sacrifice.

• interpreted by Moses 5:7 — Sacrifice is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father.
• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The law of Moses points to that great and last sacrifice, the Son of God.
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:15 — The law of Moses avails nothing except through the atonement of his blood.

Jehovah

And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men. Mosiah 2:4

The Lord God who led Lehi's family out of Jerusalem and delivered them is Jehovah, the premortal Christ, and the people come to the temple to thank Him.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Creator / Heavenly King

And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you, O how you ought to thank your heavenly King! Mosiah 2:19–25

Benjamin points from himself, an earthly king who serves, to the heavenly King who created us and lends us breath each moment. In the next chapter he names Jesus Christ as 'the Creator of all things from the beginning' and 'the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth,' so this King and Creator is Christ acting under the Father.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by Mosiah 3:8 — Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things from the beginning.
• interpreted by Mosiah 3:5 — The Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, the heavenly King, comes down to dwell among men.
• alluded to by Luke 17:10 — Jesus: we are unprofitable servants, having done only what was our duty.

Atonement (justice and mercy)

Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever. Mosiah 2:38–39

Benjamin warns that for someone who rebels and never repents, justice gets its full demand and mercy has no claim. The claim of mercy comes only through Christ's Atonement, which Benjamin explains in the next chapter.

• alluded to by Alma 42:15 — The Atonement makes it possible for God to be just and also merciful.
• alluded to by Mosiah 3:26 — The angel's words repeat that mercy could have claim on them no more.