Once more Moroni stops his abridgment to speak to the latter-day reader. His first precept is that men receive no witness from God until after their faith has been tried (v. 6). The first example given by Moroni is the appearance of Christ to the Nephites following his resurrection in Jerusalem (v. 7). Christ, first of all, spoke to the Nephites who had survived the terrible destruction at the time of the crucifixion (3 Nephi 9). The people were repentant and recognized that what the prophets had said was true. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, quoting Paul’s writing to the Romans, “Faith comes by hearing the word of God, through the testimony of the servants of God; that testimony is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy and revelation,” (TPJS, 148; see Romans 10:17). Revelation through his voice came to the Nephites because of their faith in the words of the prophets (3 Nephi 8:24–25). Apparently they did not yet have the necessary faith for him to appear. “Soon after the ascension of Christ into heaven he did truly manifest himself unto them” (3 Nephi 10:18). Twenty-five hundred men, women, and children were assembled round about the temple in Bountiful, and they were conversing about Jesus Christ (see 3 Nephi 11:1–2; 17–25). They now had the faith required for him to appear to them and he did, inviting them to feel his side and feel the nail prints in his hands and feet (see 3 Nephi 11:8–15).
There may seem to be a contradiction between verses 7 and 8 above concerning Christ appearing to the world. However, verse 8 seems to be a different appearance than to the Nephites. Jesus ministered to the people in Jerusalem for forty days after his resurrection (see Acts 1:3). He also ministered to the Nephites for three days (3 Nephi 26:13). These ministries were apparently because of the faith of the Apostles whom he had chosen on both continents (Ether 12:8). The record of his appearances bolsters the faith of others that they may be partakers of the heavenly gift of his appearance. Christ had appeared to Moroni prior to his abridging the book of Ether (see Ether 12:39 below). He wanted the reader to know it was possible for them to see him also if they were prepared (v. 9).
The second example given by Moroni for people receiving a witness after a trial of their faith was the call to the priesthood or the holy order of God (v. 10). Although foreordained to hold the priesthood (see Alma 13:1–5), men must have their faith tried before receiving that power and authority. Alma bore testimony of this test as well (see Alma 13:10–13). As an extension of that explanation, Moroni cites the law of Moses as being given by faith. While it was a lesser law, it was to prepare them to come unto Christ (see Galatians 3:24). The “more excellent way” prepared by God was the gift of his Son. The law of Moses was fulfilled through the first coming of Christ. The Nephites had achieved a higher law than Moses’ law because of their faith (see 2 Nephi 25:24–25). In these latter days, the Aaronic Priesthood is given to prepare a person for the Melchizedek Priesthood (see D&C 84:107–108), but through the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, “the power of godliness is manifest,” and without the ordinances and authority of the priesthood, “no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (D&C 84:19–22). “That portion [of the Melchizedek Priesthood] which brought Moses to speak with God face to face was taken a way” (TPJS, 180). Thus, through Christ a more excellent way was prepared (Ether 12:11).