Moroni further expands Jacob’s final words of mingled sorrow and joy, applying it to their current situation. He identifies those who “shall perish as his garment” as dissenters, underscoring that this conflict is internal. Moroni’s symbol fits because both the faithful and the dissenters are of the same original cloth—now being torn by the current dissent.
Moroni abjures them to “stand fast in the faith of Christ” lest the same fate befall them. He is stressing the direct connection in Lehi’s promise between Yahweh’s protection and the people’s righteousness. Moroni reminds them that, if they fail in righteousness, then they too are subject to destruction.