On the evening of Sept. 21, 1823, the ancient prophet Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, teaching him and revealing the nearby location of an ancient record written on gold plates — the Book of Mormon. He quoted scripture about the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the gathering of Israel.
This Church News video titled “Ongoing Restoration,” released on the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s visits, features Elder Kyle S. McKay, a General Authority Seventy and Church historian and recorder, and Keith A. Erekson, director of research and outreach for the Church History Department, talking about these historic visitations and the ongoing Restoration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“A great part of what Moroni talked to Joseph about was the gathering of Israel, the Restoration of not only the gospel, but of God’s covenant people,” said Elder McKay.
“Now, 200 years later, it’s really hard to overstate the significance of the Book of Mormon. It laid the foundation; it begins the work,” added Erekson. “In millions of cases, it is the first encounter that converts to the restored gospel have as they talk to missionaries and receive the message.”
