Appendix 4 | Moroni 201: Advanced Moroni

Reality of the Man

The Prophesied Messenger

In about 700 B.C. The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the future day when a personage would present a book of Revelation, from “those who slumbered, to a man who is not learned, and it would be a marvelous work and a wonder.”^[1]Old Testament,Isaiah 29:11-14

The prophet Nephi echoed the words with joy in about 550 B.C. .^[2]Vook if Mormon, 2 Nephi 27:6, 7, 9, 11, 24, 26

The Apostle John, about A.D. 90 expanded upon this prophesied event, seeing not just the message, but the messenger as well when he envisioned a flying angel bringing the everlasting gospel.^[3]New Testament, Revelation 14:6

Moroni’s Life

While not much is directly stated about Moroni’s life, a few things cam be determined by reading his story.

Moroni was born into a world a bit like today’s in regards to attitudes. It was a time of unfeeling and decadance.^[4]Book of Mormon,
Moromon 9:20 Those who chose to follow the gospel fought hard to maintain righteousness.

In Moroni’s case, he had the love of his Father to lead and guide him. The accounts of the interactions between Moroni and his Father Mormon show one pf great concern for each other, as well as a concern for the ministry. Such was Moroni’s respect and love for his father that about 2/3rds of his writings were on the wore presentations of his father’s teachings and letters.

His Father gave him the name of one of the mightiest generals in the history of the Nephites, and example that his son would more than live up to.

Moroni, like his father, would be called to the ministry, an event that Mormon wrote of with great joy in a letter to his son, encouraging him to keep continually in prayer to God.^[5]Book of Mormon, Moromon 8:3

On the civil side of things, both Father and son would fight against the extinction of their people while simultaneously fighting against and watching the complete and total decay of the morality of the same.^[6]Book of Mormon, Mormon 6:17–22, Moroni 9:3–6.)

Moroni would serve as a general over an army of ten thousand under the leadership of his Father. Both of them served in the final battle that would see the complete destruction of their people,^[7]Book of Mormon, Mormon 6:12.) as well as the death of Mormon

Despite the collapse of their society, Mormon, and after him his son Moroni, fought to protect and preserve the records of their people, understanding the ultimate purpose for which the records had been kept.^[8]Book of Mormon, Words of Mormon 1:2, 8; Mormon 8:15; Moroni 1:4, Moroni 10:1.

In the end, Moroni would end up alone, the last survivor of his culture, his society, and his religion, hunted by those who despised all three.^[9]Book of Mormon, Mormon 8:5, 7, 3;

As the last steward of the record that was to become the Book of Mormon, named after his own father, Moroni then became the one to whom his Heavenly Father entrusted the keys of the Stick of Ephriam, the power to restore the fullness of the Gospel.

Moroni Wanders

The Story

It is known that, after the destruction of his people, Moroni wandered for many years, at least 20-30. By the time Moroni wrote his first entry in the abridgement of the records that his father had created, he had already been alone for 16 years. Before he would seal up the records, another twenty would pass.^[10]Book of Mormon, Mormon. 6:5, Mormon 8:6; Moroni 10:1.

Where he wandered is a subject of much speculation. There are a series of popular stories spread around the church about those travels. There are traditions that Moroni wandered through the area and dedicated one plot or another for the building of a temple. These traditions are especially prevalent in the early Utah Temples. The stories are usually attributed to statements made by Brigham Young.
In the case of the Manti Temple Warren S. Snow made such a statement. He told of how, the morning of the Temple Groundbreaking, Brigham pulled him aside. They walked to a corner of the lot, and there Brigham told him the story. Moroni, he said, had dedicated the hill for a future temple. The tradition has been shared far and wide since.

Search for Proof

In 1987 efforts were made to source these statements of Brigham Young. John A Peterson, then a historian for the Church, searched through many records. His search included records that are closed to public research. Many of these records were from the actual groundbreaking and site dedication. His thinking was that a revelation of such importance would have been reported elsewhere. Surely, Brigham would have told others at the groundbreaking. At the very least, Brigham should have mentioned it to one of the apostles or seventies present. His search found nothing outside of Brother Snow’s statement.

An inquiry was made by me to the Church history department as to whether or not the church has an official stance on the story of Moroni’s travels. They replied that due to the uncertain origin they have no official stance on the reality of the story. ^[11]Email from Church History Library email to Brian Olson, 2017.

Battle Over Statue

The story led to a civic battle in Manti in 2012. A park, west of the temple was nearing completion, and a statue of Moroni was slated to be placed there. Citing that the Church had been unable to prove the tradition true, the Central Utah Pioneer Heritage Board decided not to place the statue. Doing so, they felt, would lend credit to a story they began to feel was a myth. Even though the statue was not about the Hill’s dedication, they put the statue in storage in 2014. The decision proved unpopular with residents. Some pushed the story as true. Many more however felt the statue commemorated the man, not the contested dedication. They argued it to still be a fitting subject for the park. To date, the statue remains in storage.

The Maps

Two hand drawn maps can be found, dating back to the early days of the Territory of Utah that purport to show the actual travel routes of Moroni. These maps are often cited as supporting evidence for Moroni visiting Manti.

Of note with both maps, however, is that neither one specifies that Moroni traveled to St. George or Manti or any of the Utah sites at all. They do both list Independence, Nuavoo, and Adam-ondi-ahman. The maps state that Moroni traveled to the “Sand Hills of Arisony [sic]”, and even mentions the “Land Bountiful Sentril [sic] America.”

The maps list places like Arizona and Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, these names came into being after Joseph’s death.

Both maps are said to have been dictated by Joseph Smith, but both maps are now thought to have been made after his death, and most likely represent someone’s memory of a statement that may have been made by Joseph. It is also possible that one map was a reproduction of the other. At least one map lists a line of 3 individuals the information passed through before ending up on paper. Though both maps are from different people and appear similar, many scholars and historians doubt they were dictated by Joseph at all.
^[12]Moroni’s Purported Rambles keepapitchinin.org

Downplay

In 2014, the same year the Mortal Moroni statue was put in storage, the Church made moves to downplay the tradition. A painting in the Manti Temple depicting Moroni dedicating the Temple Hill was removed and placed into storage. The script of the “Mormon Miracle Pageant,” also known as the Manti Pageant, was changed that same year. In the change a reference to the Moroni/Manti hill dedication tradition was removed.
^[13]Moroni’s Purported Rambles keepapitchinin.org, comments

Not Impossible

Some have stated that the distance would have been too far for Moroni to wander, even with all the time he had. There is a story of a British sailor, David Ingram, who was shipwrecked around the Yucatan in the 16th century. Ingram walked from Tampico Mexico to the Maine/Canada border in 11 months. The possibility of Moroni having made the journey is not in question. Some argue that needing to haul the records would have slowed Moroni down. Even if Moroni had needed a cart it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could have made the trip in under 3 decades.^[14]Moroni’s Purported Rambles keepapitchinin.org^[15]If the gold plates were originally in Mesoamerica, how did they get to New York?, fairmormon.org

Why?

The question remains, why would Moroni dedicate land for temples? Moroni was a prophet. It certainly could have been given to him to know the future of certain parcels of land. It is also within his responsibilities to dedicate land. But what purpose could it possibly serve to dedicate a piece of land centuries before its future need? If Land was pre-dedicated, why would Brigham Young feel the need to dedicate the property, again? Why not instead explicitly re-dedicate them? Why again would Moroni only pre-dedicate land that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young built temples on? What of modern day temples, where land is sought for months or years before a temple is built? If Moroni didn’t pre-dedicate a temple plot, is it then somehow less worthy?

When the full implications of the story are taken into account, it doesn’t quite make complete sense.

Moroni’s Name

Moroni, or Nephi?

Detractors of the Church love to nit-pick over church history. They point to changes in some early accounts of Joseph’s Smith Story as proof that it is all a lie. In the Times and Seasons in 1842, a publication of Joseph’s account of the visitation gives the name of the angel as Nephi. The Millennial Star replicated this history and listed the name as Nephi as well.

Other works published earlier than the Times and Seasons article name the angel as Moroni. This includes one Anti-Mormon publication from 1834, “Mormonism Unveiled.”
Suppose then, that the whole story were fabricated, as detractors claim. The fact that the angel had been named as Moroni so many times previously should have made it easy for Joseph to keep his story straight. Why then would he become Nephi for a while so late in the telling?

The error does not fall upon Joseph Smith at all. Rather, this is a case of someone transcribing or typesetting a story incorrectly.

Orson Pratt reveals the cause of the error in an 1877 letter to John Taylor:

“The contradictions in regard to the name of the angelic messenger who appeared to Joseph Smith occurred probably through the mistakes of clerks in making or copying documents and we think should be corrected. . . . From careful research we are fully convinced that Moroni is the correct name. This also was the decision of the former historian, George A. Smith.”

The error then lies with a mistake made by Joseph Smith’s clerk, James Mulholland. In 1839 Mulholland undertook to compile and abridge Joseph’s history into a single account. Mulholland worked from various documents, and not from direct dictation from Joseph. Many of the early writings and accounts Mulholland worked from listed the angelic visitor simply as “the angel”. Mulholland mistakenly calls the Angel Nephi at one point. As a consequence, articles based upon Mulholland’s manuscript for the next 2 decades would refer to the Angel as either Moroni or Nephi. This despite Joseph’s own writings from as early as 1835 listing the Angel’s name as Moroni. No evidence exists that Joseph ever referred to the Angel as Nephi. ^[16]Moroni’s visit/Nephi or Moroni, fairmormon.org.

Salamander

Recently, an old theory on the origin of the name of Moroni has begun to circulate again. In this theory it is supposed that the name Moroni is an anagram of imoron. In turn, it is stated that imorn was a widely published word for a poisonous being in Joseph Smith’s day. The theory states that the word would have been used by Joseph upon encountering a Salamander when finding the plates.

It is interesting to note that it is difficult in the modern day to find any reference to imoron. At least in the context of piosonous beings. Modern meanings abound. I have found no reference to date for this meaning of the word ‘imoron.’ This makes it difficult to corroborate use of the word and its stated meaning. However, the author of the book, D. Michael Quinn is a noted historian and Scholar, so I will have to default to his greater knowledge as to the meaning of the word.

More important in this theory is the reference to Salamander. This theory was created by D. Michael Quinn for his 1987 book Early Mormonism and the magic world view. The theory is an attempt to make the Joseph Smith story mesh with a then recently discovered document. This document has come to be known as the “Salamander Letter.” This letter, thought at the time to be authentic, was later proved and admitted to as being a forgery, created by Mark Hoffman.

Though the falsehood was discovered prior to Quinn’s book going to press, the theory remained inside. This theory is based upon a false and forged document. In particular there is no other proof that the salamander portion is not a complete fabrication. There is no justification for treating this theory as being in anyway viable.

This theory is based on a falsehood, and was disproved around 30 years ago. It is only included in this book due to its recent resurgence on the internet.

Comoros

Many anti-Mormons proclaim Joseph stole the names Moroni and Cumorah from the City of Moroni on the Comoros islands. There are 3 versions of this theory (typically not a good sign for theories.) The first claim is that he spoke with sailors who had been to those islands. The second claim is that he read tales of Captain Kidd, who spent time around the Comoros islands. The third claim is that he had access to atlas and gazetteers that would have listed the locations.

Why

All three will be briefly discussed, but first, a question? Why? If the entirety of Joseph’s story was a fabrication, why base any part of it on anything he was aware of? If it was for lack of creativity, why are there not other such similarities through his whole story? Why just the one little part?

Sailors

The first claim is that Joseph met sailors who had been to Comoros, and it’s capitol Moroni. The claim relies solely upon the fact that said sailors and Joseph Smith lived at the same time, therefore it must be possible. This is a logical fallacy that states that if something is possible it must in turn be probable. No other evidence has been presented for this theory.

Captain Kidd

The second claim is that Joseph got the name from stories of Captain Kidd. The primary source and inspiration for Captain Kidd stories and legends is Charles Johnson’s 1724 book “A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates.” This book does not mention either the Comoros Islands or Moroni. This story again relies upon the claim that, as Captain Kidd stories were available, Joseph must have had access to them. This theory uses the same logical fallacy as the one of the sailors. Again no further evidence has been presented or cited.

Maps

The third claim is that Joseph saw the names in Gazetteers and atlases from the time predating the publishing of the Book of Mormon. Such tools from that time mention the Comoros Islands, or mention a small port named Meroni, but never mention both together. As with the previous theories, this one depends on the claim that if Joseph could have had access to the books, he must have. Again, as with the other theories, there is no evidence that Joseph saw such map collections.

Meaning

The names Comoros and Moroni have meanings in the group of languages spoken in the Comoros Islands as well as in Swahili. Moroni means “at the place of fire,” and Comoro means “the place of fire.” This name has been around since ancient times and can be found on Arabic maps published over a thousand years ago. This supports the idea that the names “Moroni” and “Comoro” are of authentic ancient origin. If it is so “likely,” as detractors say, that the Joseph got the names from the islands, why not the opposite? Is it not also just as likely and just as possible that the islands derived their names from the same languages that gave the real life prophet his?^[17]Did Joseph Smith obtain the names Cumorah and Moroni from a map of the Comoros Islands? fairmormon.org

The Purported Death of Moroni

Little has ever been said by leaders of the church as to the fate of Moroni. There is, near as I can tell, one story, and one alone, that is tossed about, and that never by any of the Church leadership. By the time the story enters into print, it is very much, “They said that he said that Joseph said” story. That it is self admittedly in the third generation of oral retelling already indicates that it could have gone far from the original statement, if Joseph did in fact say it at all.

At a meeting at Spanish Fork, Utah Co., in the winter of 1896, Brother Higginson stated in my presence that Thomas B. Marsh told him that the Prophet Joseph Smith told him (Thomas B. Marsh, he being then President of the Twelve), that he became very anxious to know something of the fate of Moroni, and in answer to prayer the Lord gave Joseph a vision, in which appeared a wild country and on the scene was Moroni after whom were six Indians in pursuit; he stopped and one of the Indians stepped forward and measured swords with him. Moroni smote him and he fell dead; another Indian advanced and contended with him; this Indian also fell by his sword; a third Indian then stepped forth and met the same fate; a fourth afterwards contended with him, but in the struggle with the fourth, Moroni, being exhausted, was killed. Thus ended the life of Moroni.

-Charles D. Evans^[18]Evans, Charles David 1829-1908. The fate of Moroni , (accessed: June 21, 2020)

The original type-written page of this story, as set forth by Brother Evans himself, can be seen in a digital scan from the Church History Library.

Description

It is impossible, from the few accounts we have, to know precisely what Moroni looked like. Joseph does not make an effort to describe him in any level of detail that would allow you to draw a picture of him. Joseph described his appearance in his account of Moroni’s initial appearance. His description, however, focused primarily on his dress, recounting how his visitor was dressed in robes of “exquisite whiteness.” The robe came short of his ankles, and feet, leaving both bare. His head and neck were also uncovered. Joseph described Moroni’s countenance as being “truly like lightning,” saying that his entire being was glorious beyond description, with bright light being gathered immediately around his person.

We do have accounts of Moroni appearing to others throughout the early days of the restoration.

David Whitmer and his mother Mary each saw Moroni at least once. David described him an ‘old man’, and Mary as a ‘traveling old man.” W.W. Phelps, along with John P. and Rhoda Green shared their experience of encountering Moroni, though they as well described him as an old man.

We know of others who saw Moroni in vision. Most of these described him as an angel or an angel of glory.

In most cases where people other than Joseph saw Moroni, they were more intent on describing the plates he was showing them or the message he had to share, rather than in describing the messenger.

Visits of Moroni

Moroni’s place in the restoration of the Gospel is an essential and pivotal occurrence. In Joseph’s earlier visit from Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ they had told him of Christianity’s fall. Moroni’s visit announced a return and restoration of what had been. Father in Heaven now planned to give the fullness of all he had to his children on earth.

Moroni, the last caretaker of the records of his people came to tell of a history. One completed by and abridged by his own hand. A record concealed in a nearby hill, and prepared as the means to bring forth a “Marvelous Work and a Wonder.”

Visits to Joseph Smith Jr.

On the night of September 21, 1823, Joseph knelt down with a determination to find his standing before God. He had become concerned over his recent behavior. While no different from any other boy his age, he felt his actions were not in line with those expected of one who had seen God and his Son. While in the act of prayer, his room grew brighter until exceeded the light of Noon Day. The light came from a heavenly being, Moroni himself, come to give prophecy and direction.

Joseph was visited by Moroni 3 times that night. Each time Moroni returned the message or a variation of it was repeated.^[19]Joseph Smith – History 1:29-32. The next morning, exhausted, he would join his father and brother in the family fields. His father, seeing his exhausted condition, sent him home from the family fields. Heading home, Moroni again appeared to Joseph. Again the message of the night before was repeated. Then Moroni’s directed him to return to his Father in the field, and tell him all that had heard and seen. His Father instructed him to follow the Angel’s directions to visit a nearby hill.^[20]Joseph Smith – History 1:46-50

Joseph went to the hill, locating the spot the angel had directed him to. There, he uncovered the record and was about to take it when Moroni appeared to him a fifth time that day. Moroni instructed him to return to this same spot each year, for the time to receive the record was not yet. Each year he would receive further instruction until the time for the record to come forth arrived.^[21]
Joseph Smith – History 1:51-54

Joseph would meet with Moroni at the hill each year for the next three years, finally receiving the record from Moroni in the winter of 1827.

Besides the appearance to receive the record, Joseph would meet with the Angel many times over the years between 1823 and 1829.

He would appear to take the plates and the interpreters back after the loss of the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon. He would deliver them again when translation resumed. Upon moving from Harmony to Fayette, Joseph was concerned about the safety of the plates. Moroni obtained them from Joseph in Harmony and delivered them to him again in Fayette.^[22]Ricks, Eldin, “Moroni, Visitations of,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, eom.byu.edu.

Three and Eight Witnesses

With translation completed, it was Moroni that took the plates back from Joseph. Moroni returned again to show the plates to the first three witnesses.^[23]History of the Church 1:54-55

Later, Moroni brought the plates back to Joseph so that he could show them to eight others.^[24]Joseph Smith – History 1:60

While the plates were seen by 11 soles, Moroni himself was seen by more than the three witnesses and Joseph.

From Harmony to Fayette

Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Emma Smith all briefly saw Moroni carrying the plates during their move from Harmony to Fayette.^[25]Smith, Lucy Mack, “History of Joseph Smith,” Preston Nibly ed., Salt Lake City, 1958, pp. 149-50

Back to Cumorah

Hyrum Smith saw Moroni when he, Joseph and David Whitmer took the plates back to Cumorah after the translation.^[26]Pettit, Tom, “Moroni Appeared to 17 Different People,” livingheritagetours.com.

Mary Whitmer

Mary Whitmer, Mother of David Whitmer, saw Moroni and the plates one evening when stressed over the extra guests residing in her house.^[27]Pettit, Tom, “Moroni Appeared to 17 Different People,” livingheritagetours.com.

W.W Phelps and John and Rhoda Green

W. W. Phelps met Moroni who helped him find food, water for his horses, and the way to Far West one night while lost. John P. and Rhoda Green saw Moroni when he arrived at their home asking for a loaf of bread for W.W. Phelps, then lost and on his way to Far West.^[28]Pettit, Tom, “Moroni Appeared to 17 Different People,” livingheritagetours.com.^[29]Ricks, Eldin, “Moroni, Visitations of,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, eom.byu.edu.

More Visions and Visits of Moroni

Luke Johnson, Zera Pulsipher, Harrison Burgess and Oliver Granger each had a vision of the angel Moroni after praying to know the truth of the Book of Mormon.^[30]Pettit, Tom, “Moroni Appeared to 17 Different People,” livingheritagetours.com.^[31]Ricks, Eldin, “Moroni, Visitations of,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, eom.byu.edu.^[32]Peterson, H. Donl, “Moroni: Ancient Prophet, Modenr Messenger, Bountiful, Utah, 1983.

Heber C. Kimball and John Taylor each had a vision or visitation from Moroni as well. According to one source, Sculptor Torlief Knaphus may have been visited by Moroni as well. ^[33]Pettit, Tom, “Moroni Appeared to 17 Different People,” livingheritagetours.com.^[34]Ricks, Eldin, “Moroni, Visitations of,” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, eom.byu.edu.

Disambiguation: The Other Moroni

“In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children” – Captain Moroni

The Book of Mormon speaks of two great individuals named Moroni. The first is Captain Moroni, who lived in the first century BC. During his lifetime, his people, the Nephites, were attacked both by another nation from without and by political dissent from within. His rallying standard, known as the Title of Liberty, is still an inspiration to millions today and a remembrance of things worth fighting for.

He was a master of strategy and tactics, but was never mentioned as being a Prophet. This Moroni was not the inspiration for the statue. He was not the Angel that visited Joseph Smith.