This post shows how Nephi repeated a lot of elements from the prophecy of Joseph in 2 Nephi 3 later in his writings. Grant Hardy points out that Moroni does the same thing in Mormon 8 when he finishes his father's record.
14 And I am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; the plates thereof are of no worth, because of the commandment of the Lord. For he truly saith that no one shall have them to get gain; but the record thereof is of great worth; and whoso shall bring it to light, him will the Lord bless.
15 For none can have power to bring it to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord.
16 And blessed be he that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God.
Compare the bold phrases with the following phrases in 2 Nephi 3
which shall be of great worth unto them (v.7)
unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light (v.5)
that seer will the Lord bless (v.14)
power to bring forth my word (v.11)
This occurs again later in Mormon 8, in verses 22-26.
22 For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.
23 Search the prophecies of Isaiah. Behold, I cannot write them. Yea, behold I say unto you, that those saints who have gone before me, who have possessed this land, shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them.
24 And he knoweth their prayers, that they were in behalf of their brethren. And he knoweth their faith, for in his name could they remove mountains; and in his name could they cause the earth to shake; and by the power of his word did they cause prisons to tumble to the earth; yea, even the fiery furnace could not harm them, neither wild beasts nor poisonous serpents, because of the power of his word.
25 And behold, their prayers were also in behalf of him that the Lord should suffer to bring these things forth.
26 And no one need say they shall not come, for they surely shall, for the Lord hath spoken it; for out of the earth shall they come, by the hand of the Lord
Compare with he following phrases in 2 Nephi 3
this promise...shall be fulfilled (v.14)
cried unto them from the dust (v.19-20)
unto the remembering of the covenant which I made (v.21)
for I know their faith (v.19)
because of their faith their words shall proceed forth...unto their brethren (v.21)
the thing which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand (v.15)
This is certainly no coincidence since several of the phrases are occuring only in Mormon 8 and 2 Nephi 3 in all scripture. What do we make of this?
- It is reasonable to assume that both Nephi and Moroni were working with notes
- Nephi, Moroni and probably all the Nephite prophets held the prophecies of Joseph in high esteem. 2 Nephi 4:2
And the prophecies which he [Joseph] wrote, there are not many greater. And he prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass.
- The second bold part of this quote leads to another point: Lehi, Nephi and Moroni found a lot of relevance in Joseph's prophecies because they knew they and their posterity were of his seed. Both Nephi and Moroni had visions about these "future generations". As for Nephi, see 1 Nephi 12-14. As for Moroni, we read in Mormon 8:35 and Mormon 9:30
Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words.
Interestingly, the last phrase before Mormon 8:35 is "these things shall come forth among you", which again links to 2 Nephi 3. In Mormon 9:30 he repeats the "speak from the dead/cry from the dust" theme, also in 2 Nephi 3. It is evident that Moroni is relating Joseph's prophecy to his audience that he seems very aware of.
