Sunstone Magazine, ‘Revival Language in the Book of Mormon,’ May – June 1983, pg 22; “The concept of an infinite atonement was born in a famous theory of the atonement by Anselm of Canterbury in the twelfth century. Anselm believed that God was an infinite being, meaning that he was the ideal projection of every good human quality—God possesses infinite knowledge and wisdom, infinite holiness, and so forth…
…“Nothing less than a sacrifice of infinite merit, can atone for the offences of the whole world.” To deny ‘the necessity of an infinite atonement made by the death and suffering of Jesus Christ… goes to overturn the whole system of the gospel ….’ Old Testament prophecy and teaching are ‘all pointing to the great mediator.’ Because Jesus’ sacrifice was ‘offered upon the altar of his divinity, it acquired infinite value…’
We find portions of the above statements throughout the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has a unique perspective, but it does utilize traditional language and is in fact part of that tradition following Anselm.” – Mark Thomas
