KnoWhy #154 - Why Did Moroni Quote the Patriarch Jacob about a Piece of Joseph’s Coat? (Alma 46:24)

While gathering support for the Nephite military cause, Captain Moroni invoked the words of the Old Testament patriarch Jacob, the father of Joseph of Egypt. He stated that even as a remnant of Joseph’s seed and garment had perished, “even it shall be ourselves if we do not stand fast in the faith of Christ.” Moroni’s war banner and quotation of Jacob went together to legitimate the Nephite cause. By explicitly calling upon the words of Jacob promising that God will preserve a remnant of the seed of Joseph, Moroni extended Jacob’s promise to his soldiers. It is hard to imagine a symbol that would have been more energizing and reassuring than this.