LDS Patriot

Angel Moroni

In Mormon belief, Moroni was a prophet of the Nephite people of the Book of Mormon. He was born sometime between 350 and 365 A.D. He was the last Nephite prophet and witnessed the complete destruction of his people because of wars with their enemies, the Lamanites. Moroni was put in charge of the records of his people. Through revelation from God he knew what would be happening in our time and added information to the record of his people that he knew would be beneficial for us. Near the end of his life Moroni hid the records in a hill.

Moroni has continued to play an important role in the Mormon Church. As a heavenly messenger or angel, he often appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith to give him information and instructions.

Moroni also, as Elder Orson Hyde stated in an address given in 1854, is the “guardian angel of America.” According to Elder Hyde’s speech and other talks given by leaders of the Mormon Church, Moroni has been involved in the formation of the United States from the beginning, and that when God needs to carry out something that will impact the America’s Moroni is the angel chosen to do this work. Elder Hyde stated, “This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the Western Hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world. This same angel was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World…under the guardianship of this same angel…have the United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water.”[1]

With this understanding, it is not hard to see why Moroni would be the messenger sent to help reestablish Christ’s Church on the earth through Joseph Smith. Between the years of 1823 and 1829, Mormon Church History has nineteen documented appearances of the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith. The first occurred on September 21, 1823 and an account of what happened can be read in Joseph Smith History chapter 1:30-47. That same day Moroni visited Joseph Smith two more times. For the next three years on September 22, Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and taught him so that he would be prepared to translated the record that Moroni had buried. Moroni appeared many other times, often in relation to the records. One time he transported the plates to Fayette, New York because people had threatened to take them from Joseph. When Joseph Smith had finished the translation of the record, Moroni appeared to take the record. He then appeared three more times to show the records to other men who would be witnesses of their existence.

After the plates are returned, Joseph Smith does not mention seeing Moroni again, but other people record being visited by the angel Moroni. In Doctrine and Covenants it states, “And now, verily saith the Lord, that these things might be known among you, O inhabitants of the earth, I have sent forth mine angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, who hath appeared unto some and hath committed it unto man, who shall appear unto many that dwell on the earth.” The angel Moroni is the angel spoken of in this scripture, and is one reason why a statue of Moroni with a trump is placed on top of the Mormon temples. Moroni is the angel who will sound the trump that will reveal to all people that Christ has returned and that God lives. Dr. Sidney B. Sperry stated, “The trump that he blows will be a signal for all people in heaven and on earth to bow the knee and confess the Lord, saying; Fear God, and give glory to Him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of His judgment is come.”[2]

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[1] Peterson, Donl H. 1983. Moroni. Utah: Horizon Publishers and Distributors, Inc. pp. 79-80

[2] Peterson, Donl H. 1983. Moroni. Utah: Horizon Publishers and Distributors, Inc. pp. 161