Moroni makes a further interpretation of the scripture. The final words of Jacob were expressing sorrow for the lost as well as joy for the preserved. Moroni builds upon that concept to apply it to their current situation. He asks if these who “shall perish as his garment” are not those who have dissented. Once again this highlights the internal nature of this conflict. Moroni’s analysis works precisely because both the faithful and the dissenters are of the same original cloth, that is now being torn by the current dissent.
Moroni finishes by concluding that they must stand steadfast in the faith in Christ, or that same fate will apply to them. This is the basis for Moroni’s invocation of the fundamental promise of liberty in the land. There is a direct connection in the promise between the benefit and the required righteousness. Moroni reminds them that if they cease to be righteous, then they too are subject to perishing.