Nephi strengthens his position by also invoking Abraham. These associations with the venerated prophets of old obviously bolster his own claims of prophethood. As spokesman for the traditional Nephite religion that emphasizes the Atoning Messiah, he contrasts this belief to Gadianton secularism, asserting that the revered patriarchs also were believers. This appeal to ancient authority and, by implication, to the dangers of resisting that received wisdom, would have been a powerful argument for a people steeped in tradition.
Nephi’s line of reasoning stresses the importance of prophecies about the coming Messiah. Mormon has not yet mentioned the Gadiantons’ rejection of those prophecies, but he soon will. Nephi is responding to this as-yet-unstated Gadianton position.