Mormon commenced the body of his sermon by quoting the word of God “by their works ye shall know them…a man being evil cannot do that which is good” (vv. 5–6). This statement serves as a warning or refutation of the idea of earning or buying salvation through a specified number of good deeds. He supported the warning further, “if [a man] offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing”, and “it is not counted unto him for righteousness” (vv. 6–7). In other words, we must do the right thing for the right reason. After expounding upon the idea that it is impossible for an evil person to do good things (vv. 9–11), Mormon declared that it is because “all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil” (v. 12). Doing something for the right reason is to do it not only because it is what God would want us to do, but it is also what we want to do. Consequently, works will demonstrate a love of God and be a service to mankind (v. 13). It will further God’s work of bringing “to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). It will be inspired of God.