Humanity, in the Book of Mormon, is the whole progeny of Adam and Eve. Lehi taught that the purpose of human existence is joy: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25). The Book of Mormon teaches that all humanity was created in God’s image — Christ told the brother of Jared, “all men were created in the beginning after mine own image” (Ether 3:15-16). By Adam’s transgression all mankind became a lost and fallen people, cut off from the presence of God (Alma 12:22). Each person is free to choose between good and evil, “to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death” (2 Nephi 2:27).
The term “men” in the record covers both men and women, and the Lord “esteemeth all flesh in one,” favoring the righteous (1 Nephi 17:35). To overcome the fallen state, a person must be reborn, putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the atonement of Christ (Mosiah 3:19). Alma asked his congregation, “have ye received his image in your countenances?” and “have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” (Alma 5:14). Salvation comes through no name but Christ’s, and each person’s standing at the last day turns on humbling himself, believing in Christ’s atonement, and submitting to God (Mosiah 3:17-19).
The record traces a recurring pattern in which the Nephites and Lamanites, when prospered, harden their hearts and forget God, and are brought back only through affliction (Helaman 12:1-3). The invitation given to all is to repent, be baptized in Christ’s name, and be sanctified by the Holy Ghost in order to stand spotless at the last day (3 Nephi 27:20).