2 Nephi 9

After having taught the words of Isaiah, Jacob, the younger brother of Nephi, provides one of the greatest lectures on why the need of an atonement. As he does that, he comments -

"...it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:5)

I couldn't help but ask the question of why all men would be subject to him just because he died for them. I thought a great deal on this matter. To understand that, Jacob teaches -

"Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement..." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:7)

The question would be then, what is an "infinite" atonement. Even though this not a limitation of the infinite atonement, I see an infinite atonement taking place in time, space, capacity, and even divine nature. One meaning of infinite would almost be a title of God. In other words, an infinite atonement could not be performed by any man but only one that is the Only Begotten of the Father. Infinite meaning of Godly parent. Therefore, there is an eternal requirement that the Savior could be the only one that could do so. He is the only person that has ever lived on the earth that actually had that power -

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (New Testament | John 10:17 - 18)

I also believe that infinite atonement means it has capacity to cover all of God's creations which continues through the immensity of space. And also it is infinite in time. In the Book of Mormon, we learn that the atonement already had its affect before His coming in the Flesh and in Revelations 5, it already had its affect in the pre-mortal life. And we also believe it will continue through the eternities. Jacob taught the application of the infinite atonement in both physical and spiritual death. It was through the infinite atonement that the Savior acquired the only source of power to allow the resurrection, for Jacob taught -

"...there must needs be a power of resurrection..." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:6)

And John the Revelator said and angel testified -

"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power..." (New Testament | Revelation 5:12)

It becomes clear because of Gethsamane and His death, that an infinite atonement was provided, such that the Savior and only the Savior had sufficient power and grace to save man. That is the reason -

"...that all men might become subject unto him." (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:5)