When the Savior visited the Nephites, he was very careful to make sure that they had the most important Old Testament scriptures as part of their scriptural record (see 3 Nephi 23:6). But Moroni 7 reminds us that the Lord was just as careful to restore important New Testament doctrines to the Nephites. Even the ideas of the early epistles are expressed in the writings of Mormon and Moroni. We have already commented that Moroni can be considered a doctrinal companion to Paul (see commentary for Ether 12:27). In this chapter, we see Mormon using the same language to talk about charity as Paul did in his epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor 13). Furthermore, Mormon’s sermon also included many ideas from the Apostle John. Hereby, we see the mercy of the Lord in revealing to Mormon and Moroni the same concepts which had been revealed to the Old World Apostles.
Moroni 7
1 John 2-4
1. I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men (v. 4).
1. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked (1 Jn 2:6).
2. every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good…is inspired of God (v. 13).
2. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God (1 Jn 4:2).
3. the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil (v. 16).
3. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error (1 Jn 4:6).
4. he advocateth the cause of the children of men (v. 28).
4. we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:1).
5. pray…that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son…that ye may become the sons of God (v. 48).
5. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God (1 Jn 3:1).
6. that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (v. 48).
6. when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 Jn 3:2).
7. that we may be purified even as he is pure (v. 48).
7. every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure (1 Jn 3:3).