The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Smith
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 & Doctrine and Covenants Stories “The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Smith”
It had been three years since God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith in the grove, but Joseph hadn’t received any additional revelations since then. He began to wonder about his standing before the Lord. Like all of us, he had made mistakes, and he felt condemned by them.
One night, after everyone was asleep, Joseph decided to pray. God had answered his prayers before, and Joseph knew He would answer them again.
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.
I can repent and be forgiven.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- We all sometimes feel “condemned for [our] weakness and imperfections,” as Joseph Smith did. You and your children could study Joseph Smith—History 1:29 together, looking for what Joseph did when he felt that way. What can we learn from his example that can help us when we make mistakes? Why is it important to know that Joseph was called by God even though he was not perfect?
What does it mean to know your “standing before [God]”? (Joseph Smith—History 1:29).
- Why is it important to think about our “standing before [God]”?
Friend April 2023 “Repentance” What is repentance and how is it possible. Also, the steps of repentance.
Joseph Smith was called by God to do an important work.
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.
Read with the children Joseph Smith—History 1:33–35, and ask them to listen for what Moroni wanted Joseph to know about the work Joseph was called to do. How we are blessed as a result. For example, how have we been blessed because Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon? How has his work helped us come closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? Invite the children to read the Book of Mormon regularly.
Draw students’ attention to Moroni’s prophecy about Joseph Smith’s name in Joseph Smith History—1:33. Why do you think there is so much opposition to the Prophet Joseph Smith? You could point out that Satan always opposes truth.
What are ways you can help fulfill Moroni’s prophecy to speak good of Joseph Smith?
Why do you think Moroni appeared to Joseph four times (three times during the night and once the next morning), giving him the same message each time?
You could ask a family member to read aloud part or all of Moroni’s message from Joseph Smith—History 1:33–42 four times (because Moroni repeated this message four times). Between each reading, ask the other family members to share what they remember from his message, without looking at the scriptures. Why might the Lord repeat important messages several times? What are some other ways the Lord teaches us through repetition? (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65:)
(Another option would be to have some items covered on a tray that are related to Moroni’s message. Uncover the tray for a short time and then recover it. See if the children can remember what was on the tray. Do this three more times and see if they remember more each time. Afterwards, use the items on the tray to teach about the words Moroni spoke.)
Display a picture of Moroni visiting Joseph Smith (see Gospel Art Book, no. 91). Ask the children to point out things they notice in the picture. Summarize the account of Moroni’s visits to Joseph.
Who was Moroni? Show the children the book of Moroni in the Book of
Mormon. Explain that Moroni was the last of the Nephite prophets. He lived
about A.D. 400 and wrote some of the Book of Mormon. What did Moroni do
with the gold plates when he finished writing on them? (Mormon 8:1, 4.) Why
was Moroni chosen to visit Joseph Smith?
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 and CFM Primary 2021
- Your children might have fun pretending to be Joseph Smith as you tell the account of Moroni’s visits in Joseph Smith—History 1:27–54 or “Chapter 3: The Angel Moroni and the Gold Plates” (in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 13–17, or the corresponding video in Gospel Library). For example, they could fold their arms like they are praying or pretend to climb the Hill Cumorah, and so on.
Doctrine and Covenants Stories “Chapter 3: The Angel Moroni and the Gold Plates” Images and Video
- Or, invite the children to act out or draw pictures of events from Joseph Smith—History 1:30–54, such as Moroni appearing to Joseph (verses 30–47), Joseph talking to his father (verses 48–50), and Joseph finding the plates (verses 51–54). What do we learn from this account about the work Joseph was called to do?
- Let the kids have fun showing how the angel came back twice more while Joseph was in bed, and then showing Joseph going back to Hill Cumorah each year.
Receiving the Gold Plates
“Receiving the Gold Plates” (June 2008 Liahona and May 2008 Friend)
An illustrated retelling of the story of Joseph Smith receiving the plates from Moroni.
Friend May 2008
Friend January 2021 “Getting the Gold Plates” Coloring Page
Sing or say the words to “An Angel Came to Joseph Smith”(Children’s Songbook, p. 86)
Joseph is Prepared to Receive the Plates
God will prepare me to work in His kingdom.
Tell the children that you would like them to help you prepare some things for the lesson. Give some of the children blank wordstrips and pens or pencils, and have them write the following words on the wordstrips: Joseph Smith, prayer, light, Moroni, message, four times. Have another child display the picture of Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith. Thank the children for helping you prepare.
- Why is it important that we prepare for certain events, such as taking a test in school or giving a talk in Primary? What happens when we do not prepare? Using the wordstrips and the appropriate pictures, have the children help you review what they learned in lesson 3 about Moroni’s visits to Joseph Smith. Remind the children that Joseph was not allowed to take the plates the first time
he saw them. Explain that Joseph had a great work to do, but he needed to be better prepared in order to do it.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
Joseph was only 17 years old when he first saw the gold plates. They weren’t entrusted to his care, however, until four years later. Read Joseph Smith—History 1:48–60, looking for what happened in Joseph’s life during that time. How do you think these events prepared him for the work God called him to do?
Joseph Smith’s mother, Lucy Mack Smith, wrote that after the first visits of Moroni,
“Joseph continued to receive instructions from the Lord, and we continued to
get the children together every evening for the purpose of listening while he
gave us a relation of the same. . . . During our evening conversations, Joseph
would occasionally give us some of the most amusing recitals that could be
imagined. He would describe the ancient inhabitants of this continent, their
dress, mode [method] of traveling, and the animals upon which they rode; their
cities, their buildings, with every particular; their mode of warfare; and also their
religious worship. This he would do with as much ease, seemingly, as if he had
spent his whole life among them” (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith,
pp. 82–83). Because he had always been honest, Joseph Smith’s parents and
brothers and sisters believed all Joseph told them.
What experiences have you had that have prepared you to serve God and others? What are you currently experiencing that can help you prepare for future service?
What have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ given us to help us prepare to
serve them? (Answers may include scriptures, parents, prophets, teachers,
the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Primary.) Write the children’s answers to this
question under the heading Heavenly Father helps me prepare by:.
- What is our responsibility to help prepare ourselves? Using the items
listed on the chalkboard, discuss with the children what each of us needs
to do with the things that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given us
(for example: scriptures—study them daily; parents—follow their counsel).
Summarize their answers under the heading I can prepare myself by:. - What are we preparing to do? (Serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
and others, in positions such as teacher, missionary, or parent.) How does
this preparation help us now? How will it help us in the future? Help the
children realize their responsibility to prepare themselves now to serve (See more at lesson link.)
The Book of Mormon was given to us by the power of God.
- To help your children learn how God gave us the Book of Mormon, you could read parts of “The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith” to them. You might also use “Chapter 1: How We Got the Book of Mormon” (in Book of Mormon Stories, 2–4). Your children might also enjoy acting out the story a few times.
Book of Mormon Stories: Chapter One “How We Got the Book of Mormon” Video and images about the story of Joseph Smith and the golden plates.
Why were some ancient records written on metal plates? (Take a piece of paper, tear it, and pour a little water on it.) Explain that during ancient times, the people used other materials than paper for written communications, but those materials could also be easily damaged and could decompose and disintegrates over time. Some ancient historians used metal if they had an important message that they wanted to endure for a long period of time.
By restoring His gospel, the Savior fulfilled ancient prophecies.
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025
- When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, he quoted several Old and New Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 11; Acts 3:22–23; and Joel 2:28–32. As you read Joseph Smith—History 1:34–47, think about why these prophecies might have been important for Joseph to know. Why are they important for you to know?
Additional Resources
Scripture Figures: “The Book of Mormon, a Gift From Heavenly Father” (December 2012 Liahona and Friend)
Scripture figures to go along with the story of Joseph Smith receiving the Golden Plates.
Friend May 2008
Liahona January 2021 “What did Moroni Teach Joseph” A short explanation of what Moroni taught Joseph when he appeared to him four times.
Friend January 2025 “The Restoration Begins”
Friend January 2021 “Joseph Smith and the Gold Plates”
- After reading the Book of Matthew, Joseph Smith decided to pray about which church to join. (See JS—H 1:11.)
- True: Move right three dots
- False: Move left three dots
- Joseph Smith was instructed to join any church he wanted to. (See JS—H 1:19.)
- True: Move up one dot
- False: Move diagonally down and left two dots
- Joseph Smith was fourteen years old when he received the First Vision. (See JS—H 1:23.)
- True: Move down two dots
- False: Move left two dots
- Joseph Smith received a strong testimony of the reality and divinity of Heavenly Father and Jesus, which he never denied. (See JS—H 1:25.)
- True: Move right three dots
- False: Move down two dots
- Joseph Smith had forgotten to say his prayers the night Moroni first appeared to him. (See JS—H 1:29–30.)
- True: Move down and right one dot
- False: Move diagonally up and right two dots
- Joseph Smith’s room was very dark while Moroni was there. (See JS—H 1:32.)
- True: Move down two dots
- False: Move up two dots
- Moroni told Joseph Smith that he, Moroni, had been sent by Noah to teach Joseph. (See JS—H 1:33.)
- True: Move down one dot
- False: Move diagonally down and left two dots
- Moroni told Joseph Smith about certain gold plates that contained the gospel. (See JS—H 1:34.)
- True: Move down two dots
- False: Move up two dots
- Moroni quoted prophecies from the Old Testament. (See JS—H 1:36–40.)
- True: Move up two dots
- False: Move diagonally down and left two dots
- The Book of Mormon was translated from the gold plates. (See JS—H 1:66–67.)
- True: Move left three dots
- False: Move right one dot.
Protecting the Gold Plates
After receiving the plates from the angel Moroni, Joseph hid them in a hollow log to keep them safe until he could get a box to lock them in. The next day, while Joseph Smith was at work, his father overheard a group of men plotting to steal the plates. Emma went to warn Joseph, and he, through the Urim and Thummim, was able to see that the plates were safe. He also knew it was time to get the plates from the log to keep them safe.
“Hurrying to the hill, Joseph found the log where the plates were hidden and carefully wrapped them in a shirt. He then ducked into the woods and headed for home, his eyes alert to danger. …
“Straining under the weight of the record, Joseph tramped through the woods as fast as he could. A fallen tree blocked the path ahead of him, and as he bounded over it, he felt something hard strike him from behind. Turning around, he saw a man coming at him, wielding a gun like a club.
“Clutching the plates tightly with one arm, Joseph knocked the man to the ground and scrambled deeper into the thicket. He ran for about half a mile when another man sprang from behind a tree and struck him with the butt of his gun. Joseph fought the man off and darted away, desperate to be out of the woods. But before he could get very far a third man attacked, landing a heavy blow that sent him reeling. Gathering his strength, Joseph hit the man hard and ran for home. …
“After Joseph brought the gold plates home, treasure seekers tried for weeks to steal them. To keep the record safe, he had to move it from place to place, hiding the plates under the hearth, beneath the floor of his father’s shop, and in piles of grain. He could never let his guard down.
“… He was determined to care for the plates, trusting in the Lord’s promise that if he did everything he could, they would be protected” (Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 [2018], 40-41, 43).
Saints volume 1 “Chapter 4 “Be Watchful”
- Cutout Figures: “Joseph Smith Protects the Gold Plates” (June 2008 Friend)
Color and cut out these figures to retell the story.
Friend May 2008 “Protecting the Gold Plates”
Martin Harris Visits Professor Anthon
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder Video
Teach the children about Martin Harris’s experiences with Professor Anthon and Dr. Mitchell, as recorded in Joseph Smith—History 1:62–65. Help the children understand that these events fulfilled a prophecy made by the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 29:11–12; see also 2 Nephi 27:15–20) thousands of years before Joseph Smith’s time. (Primary 5: Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Lesson 5)
Nephi shared a prophecy about some of the details related to the translation of the Book of Mormon.
A portion of the book being given to a learned man who says, “I cannot read it” (2 Nephi 27:15–20; Joseph Smith—History 1:64–65; see also Isaiah 29:11).
Church History Topics “Martin Harris’s Consultations with Scholars” This article tells the story and has pictures of Martin Harris and Professor Anthon.
What did Professor Anthon say when Martin Harris first showed him a copy of some of the Book of Mormon writings? (JS—H 1:64.) Why do you think Professor Anthon tore up the certificate when he learned that an angel had shown Joseph Smith where to find the gold plates? (JS—H 1:65.
- Why do you think the Lord used Joseph Smith, who was an unlearned man, to bring forth the Book of Mormon?
Joseph and Emma Marry
Saints volume 1 “Chapter 4 “Be Watchful”
- “Emma Hale, the Prophet’s Wife” (April 2008 Friend)
An illustrated retelling of the story of Joseph and Emma meeting and getting married.
Scriptures Coloring Book: Pearl of Great Price “Joseph and Emma”
Additional Resources
Songs:
Music: “The Golden Plates” (Children’s Songbook, 86)
- The golden plates lay hidden Deep in the mountainside, Until God found one faithful, In whom he could confide.
- A record made by Nephi, Written in days of old; Now, in the Book of Mormon, The story is retold.
Music: “An Angel Came to Joseph Smith” (Children’s Songbook, 86)
- An angel came to Joseph Smith, And from the ground he took A sacred record hidden there, A precious, holy book.
- It tells of people long ago, Led by the Lord’s own hand, Who left their homes and crossed the sea To reach a favored land.
- The Nephites and the Lamanites, And all who came to dwell, Had peace when they obeyed the Lord, The sacred records tell.
- And now I’ll read the sacred book, And then I’ll understand That Heav’nly Father loves us all In each and ev’ry land.
Music: “An Angel from on High” (Hymns, no. 13)
Activity Pages
Book of Mormon Coloring Book “Moroni Buried the Gold Plates”
Pearl of Great Price Scriptures Coloring Book “Angel Moroni Appears to Joseph”
Scriptures Coloring Book: Pearl of Great Price “The Gold Plates”
Friend January 2021 “Show and Tell” Anna made a diorama of Joseph Smith getting the gold plates.
- Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 3: The Angel Moroni Visits Joseph Smith” Story, activity and lesson ideas.
- Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 4: Joseph Smith Prepares to Receive the Gold Plates”
- Primary 5 Manual: Doctrine and Covenants “Lesson 5: Joseph Smith Receives the Gold Plates”
- Doctrine and Covenants Historical Resources “Doctrine and Covenants 2; Joseph Smith—History 1:27–65”
- Saints Volume 1: Chapter 3 “Plates of Gold”
People, Places, Events
Reconstructed Smith home where Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith
Gospel Art Picture: “Joseph Smith Receives the Gold Plates”
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