It was the evening of Sept. 21, 1823, when 17-year-old Joseph Smith humbly prayed for forgiveness and understanding of his place before God.
Three years earlier, he had knelt in a grove of trees and received the First Vision.
On that fall night in upstate New York in 1823, the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, and during Moroni’s four visits, he taught Joseph and revealed the nearby location of an ancient record written on gold plates — the Book of Mormon. Moroni quoted scripture about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the gathering of Israel.
Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy and Church historian and recorder for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in an interview with the Church News the Sept. 21-22, 1823, events marked the beginning of the Restoration.
“If you were to ask Joseph in his day when was the beginning of the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days, he probably would not have pointed to the First Vision. That was the beginning of the redemption of Joseph,” Elder McKay said. “The beginning of the redemption or Restoration of the Church and the gospel happened on Sept. 21, 1823, when Moroni shows up and says: ‘Joseph, I’m a messenger sent from the presence of God. My name is Moroni. Let’s get to work.’”
In many ways, this is the moment when the Restoration becomes public, said Keith A. Erekson, director of research and outreach with the Church History Department.
“Joseph had had his experience that we now call the First Vision, but that was largely a private thing,” Erekson said. “But at this moment, it is going to become a very big deal in the Smith family.”
Four years later, after annual meetings with the angel Moroni on the anniversary of that initial visit, Joseph received the plates and began the work of translation.
Sept. 21-22, 2023, was the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s first visits to young Joseph. Here’s coverage from then, including articles, a podcast episode and videos, and other articles from the Church News.
Church marks 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith, Moroni’s visit and the gold plates
Elder McKay and Erekson reflected on the anniversary of Moroni’s visits with Joseph Smith and subsequent events during a recent interview with the Church News in the Church History Museum. They also shared about Moroni’s four visits to Joseph Smith and lessons they’ve learned from Joseph’s experiences.
Read the article here.
Church News podcast episode 154: Church historians on 200th anniversary of angel Moroni’s first visits to Joseph Smith and coming forth of the Book of Mormon
The Church News podcast features Elder McKay and Erekson talking about the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s first visits to Joseph Smith.
Listen to the podcast here.
President Nelson commemorates the 200th anniversary of angel Moroni’s 1st visit to Joseph Smith
President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commemorated the 200th anniversary of the angel Moroni’s first visit to Joseph Smith and posed two questions.
Here’s what he said.
Video: Church historians on the ‘Ongoing Restoration’ and mark 200th anniversary of angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith
Since the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith more than 200 years ago and shared about the Book of Mormon, the Restoration of the gospel has been ongoing, historians say in Church News video “Ongoing Restoration.”
Watch the video here.
Church leaders’ testimonies of the Book of Mormon to commemorate 200 years since Moroni’s 1st appearance to Joseph Smith
In honor of the 200th anniversary of the angel Moroni’s first appearance to Joseph Smith on Sept. 21-22, the Church News has compiled testimonies of the Book of Mormon given by each member of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as the presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary organizations.
Read their testimonies here.
Video: Lessons from Joseph Smith’s desire to repent
“One of the greatest messages of Joseph’s life is his need and his desire to repent and be forgiven,” said Elder McKay in the Church News video “Daily Repentance.”
Watch the video here.
Video: How Joseph Smith’s family was ‘A Family of Faith’
When angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith became “a family experience,” historians share in this Church News video “A Family of Faith.”
Watch the video here.
Book of Mormon Videos episode depicts Moroni finishing and burying the plates, Joseph Smith finding them
The Book of Mormon Video depicting Moroni burying the plates and Joseph Smith finding them was released in September 2020 — during the bicentennial anniversary of the First Vision.
