Beyond the bounds of time
Amulek describes the atonement as " an infinite and eternal sacrifice" ( Alma 34:10). Nephi adds that it is "infinite for all mankind " (2 Nephi 25:16; emphasis added). Let's not get too theoretical here, but I think we will agree - and you mathematicians know well - that there are multiple levels of infinity. The level or kind of infinity that really caught my attention this week was mentioned in a segment written by Tad R. Callister on the BYU Religious Study Center's website under "Teaching the atonement." He writes that the atonement is "Infinite in time, both prospectively and retroactively," meaning that it redeems all mankind who lived before it was performed and all those who would live after it was performed. My question is, how could the atonement redeem all the people who lived before it even happened? To back up Elder Callister, I'll share two scriptures. First, Jarom 1:11 said that the prophets taught the people ...