The angel Moroni is an important figure in the history and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), also known as the Mormon Church. Moroni was the last prophet and record keeper of the Nephites, an ancient people described in the Book of Mormon. After witnessing the destruction of his people, Moroni buried the records compiled by earlier Nephite prophets and made his own abridgment that would come to be known as the Book of Mormon. This ancient text was later translated by Joseph Smith and published in 1830 as the foundational scripture of the LDS Church.
According to LDS doctrine, Moroni appeared as an angelic messenger to Joseph Smith on numerous occasions, guiding him to the burial place of the golden plates containing the Book of Mormon. The angel’s first appearances to Smith took place on September 21–22, 1823 when Moroni informed Smith about the golden plates and instructed him to meet at the hill annually to receive further instructions. Smith was eventually allowed to take possession of the plates in 1827 and translate their contents.
Moroni is commonly identified by Latter-day Saints as the angel blowing a trumpet, who is featured on several LDS temples, meetinghouses, and publications. A statue depicting the angel Moroni blowing a trumpet traditionally sits atop the spires of LDS temples. This statue represents the heralding of the restoration of the gospel and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Moroni in the Book of Mormon
According to the Book of Mormon, Moroni was the son of Mormon, the prophet for whom the Book of Mormon is named. Mormon passed the golden plates to Moroni when he was a young man.
Moroni took custody of the plates following a great battle around the year 385 AD in which his father was killed. As the last surviving Nephite, Moroni inscribed a farewell on the last few pages of the golden plates. This farewell, known as the Book of Moroni, includes important teachings and prophecies.
After finishing the record, Moroni buried the plates, declaring that one day they would come forth by the power of God to help restore the knowledge of Christ’s gospel. Centuries later, Moroni would appear as an angel to guide Joseph Smith to their location in present-day New York.
Appearances to Joseph Smith
According to Joseph Smith’s accounts, Moroni appeared to him multiple times during the night of September 21–22, 1823. Moroni informed Smith about the existence of the buried plates and instructed him to visit the hill annually to receive further instructions.
In 1827, after four years of annual visits, Moroni finally entrusted the plates to Smith along with the Urim and Thummim and breastplate. Smith was able to retrieve the plates from a stone box buried on a hill near Manchester, New York. Smith later identified this hill as the same one spoken of by Mormon and Moroni in the Book of Mormon as Cumorah.
Moroni continued to instruct Joseph Smith periodically throughout the translation process, which was completed in the late 1820s. These appearances reinforced the importance of humility and spiritual cleanliness.
The angel last appeared to Joseph Smith in 1835 and restored priesthood keys of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham. Moroni also appeared to several early leaders of the LDS Church, delivering priesthood authority and keys.
Role and Significance
As Christianity believes in angels as messengers from God, members of the LDS Church view Moroni as a divine messenger. He acted as the final prophet of the Book of Mormon people and safeguarded the record that would help restore Christ’s gospel in the latter days.
Moroni’s role was essential in enabling Joseph Smith to obtain the ancient record, commence the translation process, and organize Christ’s church again on the earth. Along with John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John, Moroni was one of several heavenly messengers who helped restore priesthood authority to Smith.
Moroni’s purpose was not simply delivering the record, but also preparing Joseph Smith spiritually to receive the divine responsibility and act as God’s instrument in reestablishing the true gospel.
For believers in the LDS faith, Moroni represents the perseverance of the gospel message across dispensations and an example of righteous living in perilous times. His persistence in safeguarding and later revealing the golden plates is seen as playing a pivotal role in the Restoration that Joseph Smith initiated.
Angel Moroni Iconography
The image of Moroni blowing a trumpet is one of the most common symbols of the LDS Church. This image adorns most LDS temples as a large gold-leafed statue. Moroni is also depicted on various church materials like videos, literature, and web pages.
This angelic representation derives from the Book of Mormon’s prophecy that Moroni’s record would come forth by the power of God out of the ground “which shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world” (1 Nephi 13:35).
Moroni’s trumpet symbolizes the spreading of the gospel message and heralding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The widespread use of Moroni imagery illustrates his important role in Latter-day Saint theology as one who revealed new scripture to pave the way for the restored Church.
Key Scriptural References
Some key sections of LDS scripture that mention Moroni include:
- The entire Book of Moroni – Moroni’s writings after witnessing the destruction of his people.
- Joseph Smith–History 1:30-59 – Moroni’s visits to Joseph Smith from 1823 to 1827.
- Doctrine and Covenants 27:5 – Moroni and others conferred priesthood keys on Joseph Smith.
- Doctrine and Covenants 128:20-21 – Moroni’s role in the Restoration foretold by ancient prophets.
The Life and Legacy of Moroni
Moroni was born around 401 AD to Mormon, the prophet-leader and record-keeper of the Nephites. The Nephites were a group descended from the biblical prophet Lehi who migrated to the ancient Americas around 600 BC.
Moroni lived during a turbulent time when the Nephites faced annihilation in a long war with the rival Lamanite faction. He witnessed the destruction of his people shortly after inheriting the records from his wounded father.
As the sole survivor of the once flourishing Nephite civilization, Moroni went into hiding to avoid being killed. During this solitary period, he inscribed a summary of the Nephite records onto gold plates which he then buried for future discovery.
In 1823, some 1400 years after sealing the plates, Moroni was sent as an angelic messenger to reveal their location to 17-year-old Joseph Smith. He instructed the young prophet and prepared him to translate the Book of Mormon.
According to LDS doctrine, Moroni still continues his divine mission today, appearing to and guiding modern prophets for the spiritual benefit of humankind. His legacy lives on through the Book of Mormon text and angel iconography.
To members of the LDS faith, Moroni stands out as a central figure in fulfilling biblical prophecies of the Restoration. His perseverance and faithfulness against all odds allowed him to preserve the Nephite record, enabling the Book of Mormon to come forth in modern times.
Along with restoring lost scripture, Moroni’s appearances renewed the authority to administer gospel ordinances that had long been absent from the earth. Through his prophetic visions and spiritual mentoring of Joseph Smith, the angel made possible the reestablishment of Christ’s church.
The Angel Moroni brought to light an ancient testament of Jesus Christ to support the Bible as scripture instructing mankind to come unto Christ. For Latter-day Saints, Moroni is the “angel flying through the midst of heaven” foretold in Revelation 14:6-7 to restore the gospel as a final witness of God’s plan before the Second Coming.
Teachings and Visions of Moroni
In addition to revealing the existence of the Book of Mormon record, the angel Moroni shared important visions and gospel teachings during his visits to Joseph Smith. Some significant revelations include:
- Quoting Old Testament prophecies in Malachi 3-4 about Elijah’s return to turn hearts to their fathers and restore priesthood keys.
- Quoting New Testament prophecies in Acts 3 about Christ’s Second Coming.
- Unveiling writings of John the Apostle foretelling the Restoration and coming forth of additional scripture.
- Presenting the Book of Mormon as part of God’s “everlasting covenant” and proof of Joseph Smith’s calling.
- Proclaiming a vision of the celestial kingdom prepared for the righteous.
Moroni prepared Joseph Smith for his prophetic calling by teaching him about prayer, virtue, honesty, integrity, faith in Christ, and avoiding greed or lust for power. He provided glimpses of God’s majestic plan and the destiny of America.
The angel’s visions linked biblical prophecies to the unfolding Restoration. For Latter-day Saints, Moroni’s discourses validate the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith’s position in restoring gospel fulness before the Millennium.
Historical Background
According to the Book of Mormon narrative, Moroni’s people descended from Israelites who traveled to the Americas around 600 BC under divine guidance from prophets like Lehi and Nephi. They divided into the righteous Nephites and hostile Lamanites.
Centuries of wars and rivalries between these two factions define much of the Book of Mormon’s history. In the centuries before Christ, righteous kings and prophets led the Nephites, but increasing wickedness eventually led to their destruction.
The Book of Mormon documents Christ’s post-resurrection visitation to the Nephites to teach his gospel. This brought 200 years of peace and prosperity, but apostasy and warfare soon returned.
Mormon grew up at the end of this period, witnessing the depravity and disintegration of his society. He turned over the records to his son when injured in battle. Moroni buried the plates and survived for decades in solitude to complete the Nephite record.
This thousand-year saga demonstrates how pride and immorality doom civilizations. Moroni emerges as a righteous survivor who valiantly perseveres to pass on the sacred records of his fallen people and foretells their future coming forth.
Major Teachings and Beliefs
Some of Moroni’s most notable teachings and LDS doctrines related to the angel include:
- Restoration: Moroni prophesied of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon to support the Bible in restoring gospel truths.
- Priesthood: Moroni conferred priesthood authority on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829 to direct God’s kingdom on earth.
- Zion: Moroni revealed to Joseph Smith a vision of the New Jerusalem to be built and inhabited by a righteous people prior to Christ’s coming.
- Judgment: Moroni taught that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind will be resurrected and stand before God to be judged according to their works.
- Ordinances: The angel directed Joseph Smith to restore saving ordinances like baptism for the dead that were lost from Christ’s original church.
These restored doctrines clarify God’s plan centered on faith, repentance, covenants, and fidelity to Christ’s gospel. For Latter-day Saints, Moroni is a continuing witness of God’s love and preparation for the Second Coming.
Conclusion
In summary, the angel Moroni plays a central role in the LDS faith as the guardian and revealer of the Book of Mormon. His appearance to Joseph Smith launched the Restoration of Christ’s church in modern times.
Moroni provides an example of perseverance through adversity while remaining true to God’s commandments. His prophetic visions tie biblical prophecies to the unfolding events of the Restoration.
Statues of the angel Moroni blowing a trumpet stand on LDS temples worldwide symbolizing the spreading forth of the restored gospel. Moroni’s legacy continues to inspire Latter-day Saints to emulate his faithfulness and courage.