Lesson 52 - The Visit of the Angel Moroni

After receiving his first vision, as related in the last lesson, Joseph continued his usual labor, withstanding the attacks of his enemies, and cherishing in his heart the remembrance of the vision he had seen. Many attempts were made to cause him to deny having received this revelation, but they were all unsuccessful. For three years and a half he had no further manifestation from heaven, and during all that time he saw himself and those near and dear to him, shunned by those who had formerly been friendly. He was sometimes forced into the society of those who scoffed at all religious beliefs, and many things conspired to rob him of the great testimony he had obtained; but he still held it.

On the night of September 21, 1823, he had retired to rest, and was silently praying that God would give him a heavenly manifestation, to dispel all doubts. While thus engaged, he was surprised to observe the room becoming lighter, until the brilliancy exceeded that of the sun at noon. In the midst of this glorious light stood a personage, rather taller than an ordinary man, clothed in a robe of dazzling brightness, with head, face, neck, hands, wrists, feet, and ankles bare, and surrounded by a light even more brilliant than that which filled the remainder of the room. His countenance was most beautiful to behold, bearing an expression of earnest love and tenderness. He moved without touching the floor, for he did not require its support.

This glorious personage called Joseph by name, and announced himself as an angel, Moroni, sent of God to deliver a message. He said that God was about to restore the Gospel to the earth, and that Joseph was the instrument chosen for the performance of this work. As a consequence of his accepting this mission, Joseph should be known throughout the earth, being loved by the pure, but reviled by the ungodly. Moroni also stated that in a hill near the town of Manchester were concealed holy records, which contained an account of a people who inhabited this land many centuries before. These records should be delivered to Joseph, in connection with the Urim and Thummim, and with the aid of this instrument he should be enabled to translate the records into the English language.

While listening to these instructions, Joseph was enabled to see in vision the hill described by the angel, and the exact spot where the records were concealed. This vision was so distinct that when he afterwards visited the hill he found the place of concealment, without difficulty.

Moroni then proceeded to quote from the Bible the prophecies contained there, pointing to the great latter-day work. He impressed upon Joseph’s mind the around, he saw Moroni at his side. The angel informed Joseph that a period of four years must elapse before he would have the privilege of taking the plates, . and that during that time he would be tried and tempted, and instructed in the things of God.

The angel further told him that he might visit the hill each year on the 22nd of September, when he would be permitted to view the plates, and receive further instructions and counsel.

Moroni then imparted much valuable knowledge to Joseph, and finally showed him some of the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven, and also the followers of the Evil One; Moroni warned Joseph to avoid the influence of Satan, and keep himself pure and unspotted from the world.

Joseph, after having restored the stone and the thin cover of earth to their former place, saw the departure of the angel, and then returned to his home.