Moroni gave us another precept after he was comforted. He was determined to do what the Lord wanted him to do because he recognized all things came by faith (v. 29). He again gives four examples to support his conviction.
The first example was the removing of the mountain Zerin by the brother of Jared (v. 30). There is no other account of this miracle in the book of Ether. In the abridgement, Moroni apparently saw no reason to include it twice. However, it is a second witness to the Nephites having this priesthood power. Again, without being specific, Jacob, brother of Nephi, recorded “that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea” (Jacob 2:6). As Moroni noted, power in the priesthood does not come until the man who exercises it has faith.
The second example of Christ manifesting himself to his disciples (Ether 12:31) may sound like a repeat of Christ showing himself to the Nephites after his resurrection (v. 7 above). However, in conjunction with the context of priesthood power, it seems to refer to Jacob and Nephi who “verily saw [his] Redeemer… . And my brother, Jacob also has seen him as I have seen him” (2 Nephi 11:2–3). There were probably others among the Nephites who saw him as well.
The third example given by Moroni was one of hope. Because Jesus having taught that he had prepared a house for man among the mansions of thy Father (Ether 12:32), man may have his hope increased sufficiently to inherit one of those mansions. As the Prophet Ether had taught earlier, “hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men… . always abounding in good works” (Ether 12:4). Hope produces good works.
Moroni adds a fourth example, one of charity. Because of charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47), Christ loved the world enough to lay down his life for all mankind and take up his life again in order for them to have a place in the mansions above (Ether 12:33–34). Jesus taught Nicodemus that same principle regarding this faith, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoso believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Jesus further revealed to Orson Pratt that he “so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore, you [Orson] are my son” (D&C 34:3). Here is also another example of becoming a son of Christ through spiritual adoption as discussed earlier. Jesus taught his disciples that, “In my father’s house are many mansions … I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The Prophet Joseph said that “House here named should have been translated kingdom” (TPJS, 331, see also 366). Moroni concluded with a recognition that the Gentiles who reject his message because of his weakness in writing will lose the benefit of the Atonement that Jesus made because of his charity. What a price to pay for our pride.