Hey, i've heard that before

While reading the Third Book of Nephi, I noticed that when Jesus was speaking, he used certain terms and phrases that are very commonly used and were used in the King James bible as well. Many phrases struck me as familiar when I was reading it, because I have heard many people say these phrases in everyday life. I asked around and chatted with them about the phrases, and we came to a conclusion that these were indeed biblical phrases. So I assume that these phrases were commonly known (maybe even more than they are now, because people seemed to be more religious in the past) in the 19th and 20th centuries. Jesus says

Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come onto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted; and blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (488).

The most striking language here is when he says that the meek shall inherit the earth. This is a common phrase and a biblical phrase. Also, on the next page, Jesus is quoted as saying

And behold, it is written, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on they right cheek, turn to him the other also (489).

Nephi

Both of these quotes are very recognizable and from the bible. There could be several reasons for Joseph Smith including these quotes in the Third Book of Nephi. First of all, making direct references to the bible would first legitimize the Book of Mormon. If these were indeed true stories from when Jesus went to New World and spoke to Nephi, doesn't it make sense that he would say some of his most known ideas and lessons to these people. These are the things that Jesus believed, and because the phrases are so recognizable, society has shown that they are some of the most poignant and most helpful things that Jesus has said. By including these phrases, the book of Mormon is legitimized because it directly reference the bible, which at that point was definitely a legitimate document. Also, it shows that Joseph Smith really liked these things that Jesus said, and thought it important to include in his "translations." Also, these quotes do just provide a part of the moral compass people needed in the 19th and 20th century.