The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Smith

Learning about a sacred book

Joseph Smith looking out the window of his home.

Three years passed since Joseph Smith’s First Vision. Joseph felt bad about some mistakes he had made since then. He wondered how God felt about him.

Joseph Smith—History 1:28–29; Saints, 1:20

Joseph Smith praying by the side of his bed.

One night, after everyone was asleep, Joseph decided to pray. God had answered his prayers before, and Joseph knew He would answer them again.

Joseph Smith—History 1:29; Saints, 1:21–22

While Joseph was praying, light filled the room. Joseph saw an angel standing in the air by his bed. The angel said that his name was Moroni. God had sent him. He said God had forgiven Joseph and had a work for him to do. People all over the world would know about Joseph and the work God gave him.

Joseph Smith—History 1:30–33

Moroni tells Joseph Smith about a book made of gold plates.

Moroni said there was a book made of gold pages or plates. It was buried in a hill near Joseph’s home. The book was about people who lived in the Americas long ago. They knew about Jesus Christ and His gospel. Moroni said God would help Joseph translate the book so people could read it.

Joseph Smith—History 1:34, 46

Joseph Smith talks to his father about the visit from Moroni.

Moroni visited three times that night and again the next day. Joseph told his father what he had seen. Joseph’s father was happy. “It was a vision from God,” he told Joseph.

Joseph Smith—History 1:35–50; Saints, 1:22–25

Joseph Smith discovers the gold plates beneath a rock.

Joseph went to the hill and found the gold plates beneath a heavy rock. As he reached for them, he thought about how much money they were worth. Moroni came and told Joseph he wasn’t ready to take the plates. He told Joseph to come back to this place each year until he was ready.

Joseph Smith—History 1:51–54; Saints, 1:25–27