Joseph Smith Receives the Gold Plates

You can read this story in Joseph Smith—History 1:28–60.

Three years after the First Vision, Joseph Smith felt bad about some mistakes he had made. He prayed to Heavenly Father about it.

While Joseph was praying, light filled the room. He saw an angel standing in the air. The angel’s name was Moroni.

Angel Moroni visiting Joseph Smith in his room

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. Moroni said God would help Joseph translate the book.

Joseph Smith peering down into the pit to see the gold plates

Joseph went to the hill and found the plates under a heavy rock. Moroni came and said that Joseph wasn’t ready to take them yet.

When Joseph was older, Moroni met him on the hill and gave him the plates. Moroni told Joseph to keep them safe.

Joseph began translating the plates into English. He used special tools from God to help him. The book was published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon. It teaches about Jesus Christ and His gospel.