1210. The Angel Moroni’s Ongoing Role in the Restoration: Dramatically Announced by an Earthquake, By Ronald P. Millett, in Meridian Magazine, and BofM.Blog about Moroni
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The Angel Moroni’s Ongoing Role in the Restoration: Dramatically Announced by an Earthquake
Since his appearance to the 17-year-old Joseph Smith on the night of September 21, 1823, the Angel Moroni has been a central figure and symbol of the ongoing Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During 127 years atop the tallest spire of the Salt Lake Temple, the beautiful golden Angel Moroni statue had even survived without damage a F2 magnitude tornado in 1999 aimed directly at Temple Square.[1]
Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake Strikes
On March 18, 2020, just after the Salt Lake Temple seismic upgrade and renovation had begun on January 2, 2020, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Utah centered near Magna, just ten miles away from the Temple.[2]
The Angel Moroni statue had seemed immune to any signs of weather or seismic related damage for over 100 years. However, after this earthquake in 2020, it was discovered that day that the angel’s trumpet had fallen off the statue after the quake and some of the support stones for the statue had shifted.[3]
Damaged Angel Moroni statue shown after the earthquake on March 18, 2020.
Design and Construction of the Salt Lake Temple
Brigham Young began the design and construction of the Salt Lake Temple immediately after entering the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Just two days into exploring the valley, “Brigham Young suddenly stopped and stuck his cane in the ground, exclaiming, ‘Here shall stand the Temple of our God.’ ”
In Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s talk at the April 2020 conference entitled “A Good Foundation against the Time to Come,” he described in detail the design and construction of the Salt Lake Temple including the modern issues regarding the upgrading of its ability to withstand larger earthquakes.
As prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah, “The mountain of the Lord’s house, [would be] established in the top of the mountains” (Isaiah 2:2).
At general conference in April, 1851, there was unanimous support to a motion to “build a temple to the name of the Lord” and two years later in April 1853 the site was dedicated by Heber C. Kimball with thousands attending. [4]
Elder Stevenson quoted from the report from Presiding Bishopric to the First Presidency as well as his own observations of the process of building this magnificent temple.
“In reviewing this brief history, I am in awe of the seership of Brigham Young—first, his ensuring that, to the extent possible and, using construction methods available at that time and place, the Salt Lake Temple would be built in a manner to endure throughout the Millennium and, second, his prophesying of the growth of future temples worldwide, even to number them in the hundreds.”
“The best engineering, skilled labor, construction materials, furnishings, and other period-available resources were used. … The granite exterior and interior floor joists and support beams are in good condition. Recent studies confirm that the location chosen by Brigham Young for the temple has very good soils and excellent compaction qualities.”
“As you may recall, President Brigham Young himself was involved in great detail in the construction of the original temple foundation, which has served the temple well since its completion 127 years ago. The newly proposed seismic upgrade package for the temple would utilize base isolation technology, which was not even imagined at the time of its construction. This is considered the latest, most state-of-the-art engineering for earthquake protection.”
“During the coming years, may we allow these improvements made to the Salt Lake Temple to move and inspire us, as individuals and families, so that we too—metaphorically—will “be built in a manner that will endure through the millennium.”
“We will do so as we fulfill the charge of the Apostle Paul to ‘[lay] up in store for [ourselves] a good foundation against the time to come, that [we] may lay hold on eternal life.’ ”
Implementing “base isolation technology”—the latest in seismic improvements–would ensure that the Salt Lake Temple will be able to fulfill Brigham Young’s prophecy of the Salt Lake Temple lasting into the Millenium.
The Nauvoo Temple Angel and Weather Vane
Now let’s trace the development of the angel on the temple from the Nauvoo Temple to the Salt Lake Temple.
Weather vanes were quite popular on top of buildings in 1846 when the Nauvoo Temple was built. The design of the Nauvoo Temple with its angel and weather vane on the pinnacle of that temple prepared the way as it were for the much more complicated design of the top of the much larger temple that was being built in Salt Lake City.[5]
I was excited to find this Churchnews.com article by Scott Lloyd that included an architectural drawing of the weather vane/simplified angel that was on the top of the Nauvoo Temple.
“It began with a weather vane placed atop the newly completed Nauvoo Temple in 1846. Over the years it has become what is arguably the most recognizable symbol of the Church.”
Scott Lloyd concluded his comparison of the Nauvoo and Salt Lake Temple:
“It took 40 years to complete the [Salt Lake] Temple, however, by the time it was finished in 1893, aesthetic tastes had changed, and weather vanes were no longer in vogue. Instead, a standing angel sculpture, gold-leafed, was commissioned to grace the temple’s highest spire.”
Illustration of the temple and the weather vane angel that was put on top of the Nauvoo Temple in 1846.
Architectural drawing of the weather vane angel that was on top of the Nauvoo Temple.
President Wilford Woodruff’s Expansive Specification
President Wilford Woodruff wanted a larger, much more complex and realistic angel statue than what had been done at Nauvoo. He selected sculptor Cyrus Dallin to provide input on what the work would look like and which Angel should be selected. Cyrus Dallin was also the sculptor for the Brigham Young Monument at Main and South Temple. [6]
Sculptor Cyrus Edwin Dallin
Cyrus Dallin, born in Utah, had become a famous sculptor known particularly for sculpturing Native American subjects. His most famous work is “Appeal to the Great Spirit.” His life work included more than 260 sculptures.[7]
“Appeal to the Great Spirit,” Cyrus Dallin’s best known work, was sculpted in 1908. It is located in the “Museum of Fine Arts, Boston”
Sculptor Cyrus Edwin Dallin was born in Springville, Utah in 1861. This picture is from 1881.
Cyrus Dallin in 1899.
How Moroni was Chosen as the Angel
President Wilford Woodruff commissioned Cyrus Dallin in 1890 to sculpt an angel statue for the temple. Dallin was to also recommend the specific angel to depict.
“Dallin studied the scriptures for inspiration of what to sculpt, and settled on Moroni—the last prophet in the Book of Mormon who also appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith” Moroni is also considered the most likely angel that fulfills the prophecy in Revelation 14:6-7.[8]
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
President Woodruff was very much in agreement with Cyrus Dallin’s recommendation.
“Of his experience creating the statue, Dallin said, ‘I considered that my ‘Angel Moroni’ brought me nearer to God than anything I ever did. It seemed to me that I came to know what it means to commune with angels from heaven.’ ”[9]
A 12.5 Foot Tall Angel Moroni: Symbol of Faith
The spectacular golden Angel Moroni statue was completed by Cyrus Dallin in 1892. It would become the Temple’s crowning feature and an identifying symbol of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout he world.
Made of hammered copper covered in gold leaf and weighing over a ton, the 12.5 foot tall statue was placed on the 210 foot high pinnacle of the Temple on April 6, 1892, exactly one year before the Temple’s dedication on April 6, 1893.
A full size version of the Angel Moroni statue on the Sale Lake Temple is on display in the Church History Museum.
Angel Moroni Statue Removal for Repairs
As of this writing, a large crane is now in place to remove the Angel Moroni statue from the spire of the temple for repairs from the earthquake damage and any other refurbishing work that needs to be done.[10]
Crane at the Salt Lake Temple site preparing to remove the Angel Moroni statue for repairs.
Illustration of how the crane will work to retrieve the Angel Moroni statue. This illustration could be made into a fun game with family members competing on recognizing the various buildings and their functions at Temple Square and also how the crane is going to do its work.
We look forward to the restoration of the Angel Moroni statue and a renewal of the wonderful view of the beautiful Salt Lake Temple.[11]
Yet another Unexpected Bonus as We Prepared for Conference
This unexpected earthquake just before conference and the damage it caused to the Angel Moroni statue on the Salt Lake Temple has led many of us to ponder the significance of this beautiful work of art along with its history and symbolism. It will be a fun ongoing project to monitor its progress and the reinstallation of this beloved representation of one of the foremost angels in the councils of heaven and this magnificent earth.
I REALIZE THIS MAY SEEM VERY LONG, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ARTICLE ABOUT THE ANGEL MORONI WHICH I WILL POST AT THE END OF THE FOOTNOTES (which are also interesting) TO THIS ARTICLE. I THINK YOU MAY ENJOY IT POSSIBLY LATER, AND LEARN A LOT ABOUT HIM!
“The Salt Lake Temple, which is undergoing a seismic upgrade, sustained minor damage during Wednesday morning’s earthquake. The trumpet on the Angel Moroni statue fell off, and there is minor displacement of some of the temple’s smaller spire stones. No workers were injured. Crews on the job site have been sent home for the day, and a full assessment is underway to determine needs going forward. This event emphasizes why this project is so necessary to preserve this historic building and create a safer environment for all our patrons and visitors.”
“2020 Salt Lake city earthquake,” Wikipedia.org, retrieved 4/13/2020.
“After the earthquake, Utah Emergency Management said that serious damage was not expected, but there were reports of minor damage. Bricks fell off some buildings. The Salt Lake Temple was undergoing a seismic upgrade at the time of the earthquake, and sustained minor damage. The Angel Moroni statue that sits atop the highest spire lost its trumpet following the earthquake. Some stones were displaced as well. The construction crews working on the seismic upgrade were sent home.”
Brian Maffly, “Utah’s earthquake took its toll on at least 77 historic buildings,” Salt Lake Tribune, April 1, 2020.
“Utah’s big earthquake: Buildings damaged, but no major injuries, as state braces for days of aftershocks,” Salt Lake Tribune, March 18, 2020, updated April 1, 2020.
“A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Magna at 7:09 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, shaking homes from Logan down to Utah County. It was the state’s largest since a 1992 earthquake in St. George. The last Salt Lake County earthquake of at least a magnitude 5 was in 1962.”
“The earthquake has caused damage to downtown buildings and even the Salt Lake Temple, where the Angel Moroni statue lost its trumpet.”
“The iconic Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in the early phases of undergoing a four-year upgrade, including a seismic retrofit. A church spokesman said there is damage to church facilities. The golden Angel Moroni statue has been damaged. It no longer holds a trumpet and some of the temple’s smaller spire stones had shifted.”
[3] Daniel Burke, “Utah earthquake damages Mormon temple and knocks trumpet from iconic angel statue,” CNN.com, March 18, 2020.
“It began with a weather vane placed atop the newly completed Nauvoo Temple in 1846. Over the years it has become what is arguably the most recognizable symbol of the Church.”
“The apostle John recorded this from his grand vision: “I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of the waters” (Revelation 14:6-7).
“Latter-day Saints believe, of course, that this prophecy foreshadows the angelic ministry by which the gospel was restored in latter days. That belief was reflected by the weather vane angel in Nauvoo, shown in a drawing by temple architect William Weeks as a prone figure with trumpet to his lips and holding a book in his right hand. Perrigrine Sessions, who witnessed the fixture being set in place on Jan. 30, 1846, described it as “an angel in his priestly robes with a Book of Mormon in one hand and a trumpet in the other which is over laid with gold leaf” (journal entry quoted in Glen M. Leonard, Nauvoo, a Place of Peace, a People of Promise, p. 254).
William Weeks architectural drawing, above, shows weather vane angel that was placed on original Nauvoo Temple. Credit: Courtesy Church History Library”
“Richard G. Oman, an exhibit designer at the Museum of Church History and Art, pointed out that weather vanes were a familiar ornament for buildings in the New England architecture to which many Church members of the time were accustomed. It was a cultural element they would carry with them to their new Zion in the Rocky Mountains, as evidenced by an early architectural drawing of the Salt Lake Temple, which depicts a weather vane angel atop the center spire on each end of the edifice. It took 40 years to complete the temple, however, by the time it was finished in 1893, aesthetic tastes had changed, and weather vanes were no longer in vogue. Instead, a standing angel sculpture, gold-leafed, was commissioned to grace the temple’s highest spire.”
“By then, it was not just regarded as the prototypical angel of the Restoration foreseen in vision by John, but was given a specific identification: Moroni, the last prophet of the Book of Mormon and custodian of the Nephite record, he who as a resurrected being had delivered the golden plates to the young Prophet Joseph Smith.
“Ironically, this first angel Moroni statue was sculpted by a man who was not a member of the Church and who didn’t even believe in angels. Utah-born Cyrus Dallin was commissioned by President Wilford Woodruff to do the work. He declined at first, but the Church president persisted. Ultimately it was Dallin’s mother in Springville who persuaded him to accept the commission, saying, “Every time you return home and take me in your arms, you call me your ‘angel mother”‘ (quoted in Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Every Stone a Sermon, p. 48).”
“The Angel Moroni is an iconic symbol that sits atop the LDS temple in downtown Salt Lake City. But did you know it was sculpted by a Protestant artist?
“In 1891, the plaster model for the statue of the Angel Moroni that sits atop the tallest spire of the Salt Lake LDS Temple was completed. Born in Springville to Mormon pioneer parents, the angel’s sculptor, Cyrus Dallin, had strong ties to Utah. But he never identified with Mormonism, perhaps because the LDS church appears to have excommunicated his father for supporting non-Mormon political candidates. Members of the Dallin family later converted to Presbyterianism and young Cyrus attended a Presbyterian school.”
“Dallin won his first art competition, part of a local fair, at a young age. Recognizing his talent, a couple of local men paid for his train fare to Boston where he studied with the famous sculptor Truman Bartlett. After opening his own studio a few years later, Dallin saved up enough money to travel to the art capital of the world—Paris—where he continued his art instruction under two master sculptors. Over time, Dallin developed into a first-rate artist, winning a number of important commissions. Perhaps his most famous, titled Appeal to the Great Spirit, sits in front of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Other Dallin pieces can be found in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, the Library of Congress in Washington DC, and around Utah. A copy of his statue Massasoit stands outside the state capitol building, and the Springville Museum of Art, which Dallin helped found, owns several of his pieces. The sculpture of Brigham Young at the intersection of Main Street and South Temple in SaltLake is also a Dallin. But, because of its visibility and symbolic importance to members of the LDS church worldwide, Dallin’s most popular work is arguably the Moroni statue.”
J. Michael Hunter, “The Monument to Brigham Young and the Pioneers : One Hundred Years of Controversy,” BYU Scholars Archive, 2000,
This article is about the Brigham Young Monument at Main and South Temple. Cyrus Dallin was also the sculptor of that work and this article adds some details on his family history and religion in his family. “The statue of Brigham Young was completed by Cyrus Dallin in 1893. Many delays in raising funds caused the monument not to be finished until 1900.” This article: “The Monument to Brigham Young and the Pioneers: One Hundred Years of Controversy” reviews the political disagreements and debates that often surrounded the monument.”
Cyrus Dallin family history note in this article:
“Dallin was born in Springville, Utah, on November 22, 1861, as the second oldest of nine children. His father and grandfather, sailmakers in England, converted to the LDS church in 1849 and immigrated to Utah in 1851. Once in Utah, however, his parents joined the Presbyterian Church. Dallin received his early education from Presbyterian schools and his art appreciation from his parents.”
“Dallin, the son of Thomas and Jane (Hamer) Dallin, was born in Springville, Utah Territory, although his parents had left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) before their marriage. At age 19, he moved to Boston to study sculpture with Truman Howe Bartlett. He studied in Paris, with Henri Chapu and at the Académie Julian.”
“Dallin Converted to Unitarianism and initially turned down the offer to sculpt the angel Moroni for the spire of the LDS Church’s Salt Lake Temple. He later accepted the commission and, after finishing the statue said, “My angel Moroni brought me nearer to God than anything I ever did. His statue became a symbol for the LDS Church and was the model for other angel Moroni statues on the spires of LDS Church temples.“
“Appeal to the Great Spirit,” Wikipedia.com, retrieved 4/13/2020.
“Appeal to the Great Spirit is a 1908 equestrian statue by Cyrus Dallin, located in front of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It portrays a Native American on horseback facing skyward, his arms spread wide in a spiritual request to the Great Spirit. It was the last in Dallin’s four-piece series, The Epic of the Indian.”
[8] “Come Follow me: for families and individuals,” “New Testament,” 2019, page 199.
“REVELATION 14:6–7
Who is the angel that John saw preaching the gospel?
One fulfillment of the prophecy in these verses occurred when Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and
led him to the records that he translated and published as the Book of Mormon. This book contains the
“everlasting gospel” that we are charged with preaching unto “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6).”
“In 1890 at the age of 29 Dallin was asked to sculpt a statue for the temple. He had by this point spent years studying sculpture in Boston and Paris and had gained international recognition for his sculptures of Native Americans. Dallin has already been commissioned to create the Monument to Brigham Young that currently stands at the south end of the Temple Square Plaza when President Woodruff asked him to do the Angel for the temple as well. The Salt Lake Temple was the first to have a statue specifically identified as the Angel Moroni. Cyrus Dallin chose Moroni, the Book of Mormon prophet who revealed the Gold Plates to Joseph Smith, as the subject of his sculpture. This statue has become a symbol for the Church.”
Danielle Christensen, “10 Things You May Not Know about the Angel Moroni Statue,” LDSliving.com, March 18, 2020.
“The Angel Moroni statue was sculpted by Cyrus Edwin Dallin, who was not a member of the Church. Dallin was originally asked to sculpt something for the central spire of the temple by President Wilford Woodruff, but the artist initially declined, claiming he didn’t believe in angels. However, Dallin’s mother reminded him that he called her his “angel mother,” and she encouraged him to accept the commission. Dallin designed the Angel Moroni which stands atop the Salt Lake Temple today and is also the sculptor of the Brigham Young Monument on Main Street in Salt Lake City. Additionally, he created the famous “Paul Revere” and “Appeal to the Great Spirit” statues in Boston.
According to the Daily Herald, Dallin studied the scriptures for inspiration of what to sculpt, and settled on Moroni—the last prophet in the Book of Mormon who also appeared to the prophet Joseph Smith. President Gordon B. Hinckley said Moroni was “guardian and deliverer of the golden plates, the translation of which became the Book of Mormon, another witness of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Of his experience creating the statue, Dallin said, “I considered that my ‘Angel Moroni’ brought me nearer to God than anything I ever did. It seemed to me that I came to know what it means to commune with angels from heaven.”
“There was a weather vane atop the Nauvoo temple depicting an angel, though it did not represent a specific angel. After studying Revelation 14 and other Latter-day Saint literature, Dallin suggested the upright design which is seen today. The Angel Moroni statue on the Salt Lake Temple was molded in hammered copper and covered in 22-karat gold leaf. On April 6, 1892, the statue was placed on top of the Salt Lake Temple, exactly one year before the temple was completed.According to templesquare.com, the Angel Moroni trumpet symbolizes “the spreading of the gospel and the Second Coming of the Savior.” The angel also typically faces the east, as it states in scripture that Christ will come from the east during the Second Coming. The statue is 12 feet, 5 inches tall and likely weighs between 2,000 to 4,000 pounds, although the exact weight of the statue is unknown, according to templesquare.com.
“The Angel Moroni statue on the Salt Lake Temple shows Moroni in robes and holding a trumpet in his right hand, his left hand down by his side. However, there have been other designs of the statue over the years, depending on the artist that has been commissioned to cast the statue for each temple.
“Not every temple has an Angel Moroni, including the St. George Utah Temple, the Oakland California Temple, the Laie Hawaii Temple, the Logan Utah Temple, the Paris France Temple, the Manti Utah Temple, the Cardston Alberta Temple, the Mesa Arizona Temple, and the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. See pictures of those temples here. The early Angel Moroni statues were made from bronze, copper, or aluminum, but were leafed in gold. Today, the statues are made in lightweight fiberglass and are leafed in gold.”
[10] Peggy Fletcher Stack, “Angel statue will be brought down on Salt Lake LDS Temple as earthquake repairs, renovation work continue,” sltrib.com, April 3, 2020.
“Crews rig a giant crane on the grounds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Salt Lake Temple, April 2, 2020. The temple, closed in December for seismic upgrades, sustained minor damage during the March 18, 2020, earthquake. The trumpet on the Angel Moroni statue fell off, and there is minor displacement of some of the temple’s smaller spire stones.”
“Stone Removal Set to Begin at Salt Lake Temple After Earthquake–Angel Moroni also to be temporarily removed,” Church newsroom, April 2, 2020.
“Church spokesman Daniel Woodruff released the following statement to media April 2, 2020 regarding the next phase of work on the Salt Lake Temple renovation:
“Workers at the Salt Lake Temple project site are installing a crane on the temple’s south side to begin removal of some of the stones on the temple spires that were displaced during the recent earthquake in Salt Lake City. Workers will then remove additional stones from the east and west sides of the temple for preservation during the project. They will also temporarily remove the angel Moroni statue. Scaffolding will be constructed around the temple spires for better access for workers. This work is expected to last several weeks.”
[11] “SLC temple at night,” wikipedia.org, retrie\ved 4/13/2020.
Let's make sure we know who Moroni (The Last Nephite) was. He was one of the most fascinating figures of the Book of Mormon. He was the George Washington of America. Well actually I believe Moroni was also the George Washington of the Land of Jospeh, or the George Washington of the original place of Adam, or the George Washington of the original New World after the flood. Actually Moroni (The Last Nephite) was the holder of the Keys of the Stick of Ephraim. D&C 27:5. Moroni is also the representation of everything that is good in the world and on the tops of temples he proclaims truth. He is an extraordinary man. I also believe Moroni is an American who loves the world, just as Joseph Smith is an American or President Nelson is an American who loves us all in the world.
Why my emphasis on Moroni being an American? Because I love America and I am proud to be an American. Am I better than Russians, or Fijians, or the British? No. But I am sure blessed. Am I more blessed than others because I am an American? No. Do I have a different stewardship because I am an American? Yes. What is that stewardship? To live and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and gather in Israel. That's who Moroni is an American with a unique calling to the world. May we live to fulfill our calling and be a righteous example or we will lose this land. If there is no America, then there is no world, for America is the Promised Land of the Book of Mormon.
Mormon 1:5 And I, Mormon, being a descendant of aNephi, (and my father’s name was Mormon) I remembered the things which Ammaron commanded me.
Mormon 8:13 Behold, I make an end of speaking concerning this people. I am the son of Mormon, and my father was a descendant of Nephi.
Alma 10:3 And Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, who was the son of Lehi, who came out of the land of Jerusalem, who was a descendant of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by the hands of his brethren.
George Q. Cannon
VISIT TO THE LAND AND HILL CUMORAH.We had proceeded a little over a mile on the road when the driver of the carriage pointed out a hill to us on our left, which he said was "Mormon Hill." We supposed that by this he meant Cumorah. Though in its general appearance it resembled the descriptions we had had of Cumorah, yet we were somewhat disappointed in its size, as it was not so high a hill as many others which we saw in the neighborhood. In fact, as we rode along, we saw several hills which we thought more like what we imagined Cumorah to be than the one pointed out to us. We rode on for probably two miles farther, conversing but very little and each absorbed in his own reflections, when we saw, immediately in front of us. a hill that rose suddenly, almost precipitously, from the plain. Brother Brigham, Jun., remarked when we saw it: "There is a hill which agrees in appearance with my idea of Cumorah."
In this opinion the Editor coincided. The driver, hearing our remarks, turned to us and said: "Yes, this is Gold Bible Hill." We then learned that Cumorah was known through the country by the name of "Gold Bible Hill." We asked him what he meant by calling the other, which he had pointed out to us, "'Mormon Hill." He replied that there was a cave in that bill which the "Mormons'' had dug and some of them had lived in it, so the people said; and, therefore, it was known by that name. Close at the foot of Cumorah there is a comfortable firm house…
This was the hill Ramah of the Jaredites, and it is probable, that, in this vicinity, Coriantumr and Shiz, with the people whom they led, fought their last battle. For this great battle they were four years preparing, gathering the people together from all parts of the land, and arming men and women, and even children. The battle lasted eight days, and the result was the complete extermination of the Jaredite nation, none being left but the prophet Ether — who warned the nation of the fate that awaited it unless the people repented, and who lived to record the fulfilment of his own warnings and predictions — and Coriantumr who succeeded in slaying his mortal enemy, Shiz. It is probable that the prophet Ether, when he emerged from his hiding-place to view the destruction of his race, which he had been inspired to foretell, had ascended this hill and from its summit had gazed with profound grief upon the thousands of slain which lay scattered unburied upon the surface of the earth around. He and Coriantumr alone of all that mighty race which had flourished for upwards of fifteen hundred years, were loft.
Who can imagine the feelings which he must have had on such an occasion? From the summit of this hill, doubtless, Mormon and his great son Moroni had also witnessed the gathering of the hosts of the Nephites and the dusky and myriad legions of their deadly enemies, the Lamanites. Around this hill they had marshaled their forces — their twenty- three divsions of ten thousand men each, commanded by the most skillful of their generals; all to be swept away, except Mormon and Moroni and twenty-two others, in one day's battle, by the fierce and relentless foe whom God permitted to execute his threatened judgment I Stealthily perhaps, for fear of exciting the attention of the Lamanites, Mormon and Moroni and their companions may have ascended this hill and gazed on the dreadful scene around them.
What a picture of desolation and woe must have met their sight! How deep must have been their anguish at thus witnessing the destruction of the fair ones of their nation! No wonder they cried out in anguish, and mourned with pathetic lamentations the rebellion against God which had brought this terrible destruction upon them. Mormon's feelings must have been very peculiar. At fifteen years of age chosen to be the commander-in-chief of the armies of his nation, he had fought battle after battle until now, at seventy-four years of age, he witnessed the complete blotting out of what had been the most favored people on the earth. His reflections must have been peculiarly painful, because he knew that had they listened to him he could have saved them.
It was here that he hid the abridgment which he made of the records, and which is now known by his name, and it was here, thirty-six years after this tremendous battle, that his son Moroni also hid his abridgment of the Book of Ether and the record which he had made from which we learn the fate of his father Mormon and his other companion?, that sixteen years after the battle of Cumorah Mormon and all the Nephites except Moroni had been killed by the Lamanites. It was to this spot that about fourteen hundred years after these events, Joseph Smith, the prophet, was led by Moroni in person and here the records, engraved on plates, were committed to him for translation. Who could tread this ground and reflect upon these mighty events, and not be filled with indescribable emotion ? We were literally surrounded by the graves of two of the mightiest nations which had ever flourished on the earth.
We stood in the centre of their burial place. They had rebelled against God, they had slain His prophets, disregarded His warnings and arrayed themselves against Him. His promise and covenant concerning this land are: "that whatsoever nation shall possess it, shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fullness of His wrath shall come upon them. And the fullness of His wrath, cometh upon them when they are ripened in iniquity; for behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands ; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God, or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God." VISIT TO THE LAND AND HILL CUMORAH GEORCE O. CANNON - - EDITOR. SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1873. https://archive.org/stream/juvenileinstruct814geor/juvenileinstruct814geor_djvu.txt
James Talmage
"The final struggles between Nephites and Lamanites were waged in the vicinity of the Hill Cumorah, in what is now the State of New York, resulting in the destruction of the Nephites as a nation, about 400 A.D. The last Nephite representative was Moroni, who, wandering for safety from place to place, daily expecting death from the victorious Lamanites, wrote the concluding parts of the Book of Mormon, and hid the record in Cumorah. It was the same Moroni who as a resurrected being, gave the records into the hands of Joseph Smith in the present dispensation." James Talmage Articles of Faith, Ch 14, Pg. 260.
Gordon B. Hinckley
In 1935 Gordon B. Hinckley attended the dedication of the Moroni monument atop the Hill. He recognized the fields around the hill as a great battlefield. He wrote: “. . . the canvas shroud fell from the monument and the figure of Moroni looked out across the quiet fields, which is his day of life, had been scenes of carnage and sorrow.” Joseph Knew.com
Mark E. Petersen
The Last Words of Moroni
"Last week we passed one of the most significant anniversaries recognized by our Church. It marked the visitations of the Angel Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith, preliminary to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our day. (JS—H 1:28–65.)
Moroni by Ken Corbett
Moroni came back from the dead, a resurrected man!
He had lived in America some fifteen hundred years ago and was the sole survivor of his people in a series of tragic battles which took many lives.
He had witnessed the destruction of his whole nation, including his own family. In bitter vengeance their enemies had vowed their complete annihilation, and now this threat was accomplished.
Young General Mormon Commander of the Nephite Host by Arnold Friberg
Moroni’s father was commander of the armies of this ancient people, known as Nephites. His name was Mormon. The war of which we speak took place here in America some four hundred years after Christ. (See Morm. 6.)
As the fighting neared its end, Mormon gathered the remnant of his forces about a hill which they called Cumorah, located in what is now the western part of the state of New York.
Their enemies, known as Lamanites, came against them on this hill. Of that dreadful event Mormon wrote:
“My people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them.
“… Every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers.
“And it came to pass that they did fall upon my people with the sword, and with the bow, and with the arrow, and with the ax, and with all manner of weapons of war.
“And it came to pass that my men were hewn down, yea, even my ten thousand who were with me, and I fell wounded in the midst.” (Morm. 6:7–10.)
Then he spoke of other leaders serving with him in the Nephite army, all of whom had fallen with the forces under their command. He accounted for about a quarter of a million Nephite soldiers killed in that final encounter at Cumorah.
He mourned over this great loss and wrote:
“My soul was rent with anguish, because of the slain of my people, and I cried:
“O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! O ye fair ones, how could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you!
“Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. But behold, ye are fallen, and I mourn your loss.
“O ye fair sons and daughters, ye fathers and mothers, ye husbands and wives, ye fair ones, how is it that ye could have fallen!
“But behold, ye are gone, and my sorrows cannot bring your return.
“O that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you.” (Morm. 6:16–20, 22.)
Why were the Nephites destroyed?
They had been told that it was a privilege for anyone to live on the American continent, for it is a promised land, and those who reside here must abide by the rules that God decreed pertaining to it.
Only those who are willing to serve Jesus Christ, who is the God of this land, may remain here. Others will be swept off. (See Ether 2:10–12.)
The Nephites knew this, but with malice aforethought, they reveled in sin and rejected the teachings of Christ.
Having failed to meet the conditions by which they could remain on this promised land, they were swept off, and with great violence.
At the time Mormon recorded the details of this dreadful tragedy, he said that only twenty-four remained alive of all the men, women, and children of the Nephites. These surviving few were themselves killed the next day—with one exception, Moroni, whom the Lord spared to close up the written record.
When finished with the record, Moroni was to hide it up in that same Hill Cumorah which was their battlefield. It would come forth in modern times as the Book of Mormon, named after Moroni’s father, the historian who compiled it.
Realizing the importance of completing it, this lone survivor wrote: “I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon” (Morm. 8:1).
Then he wrote a description of the last battle and added: “I … remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. …
“Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth. …
“My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.” (Morm. 8:3–5.)
As he wrote his fateful words, he said again that his people were annihilated because they loved wickedness, rejected the counsel of God, and gave themselves over to seeking wealth and corruption. This made up the deadly concoction which brought about their extinction.
Had not the Lord said to them, as he says to us now, that America is a choice land and that those who live here must obey God or be swept off? And had he not kept his word to those rebellious Nephites, now totally wiped out? So it is that today’s archaeologists find the ruins which are silent witnesses to the greatness that once was theirs.
In closing his record, and knowing that it would come to us, Moroni pleaded with us, the modern inhabitants of this land, to escape the kind of tragic end which had obliterated his people. He said:
“Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
“And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; …
“Ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel.” (Morm. 8:35–36.)
In prophecy also he spoke of the tragic moral pollutions which would engulf many modern Americans. He asked why we are so foolish as to revel in sin, why we would reject the Christ, and thereby invite disaster.
“Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?” he asked, speaking to modern America, knowing full well that many might profess to believe in him and yet refuse to do his works (Morm. 8:38). It is by engaging in his works that we truly take his name upon us. It is not through lip service. Moroni knew that faith without works is dead. And so likewise should we.
He made it clear that advance warning is given to us who live today through the very book which he and his father had written and which he was now about to bury in Cumorah. It would be published in our day to give us that warning.
Annotated Book of Mormon page 444. Purchase today!
Describing our day, he said the book would come forth when millions deny the power of God, when the world would be in turmoil, with earthquakes, violent storms, wars, and rumors of wars in many places. (See Morm. 8:26–34.)
He said it would be in a time of great pollution (see Morm. 8:31). Isn’t it interesting that he would speak of great pollution on the earth? Does it remind you of the claims of our modern ecologists?
He said also that it would be in a time of extensive crime, of murders, robberies, lies, deceptions, and immorality. Think of those words in terms of today’s cover-ups, bribes, thievings, embezzlements, and other fraudulent practices among individuals, in business, and also in government. Hasn’t dishonesty almost become a way of life with many people?
Think, too, of the epidemic of social diseases sweeping the nations in the wake of their vast immorality. What frightful polutions these things are!
Before his death, Mormon wrote that his record would, of course, be a warning to those he called Gentiles, but that it would be a blessing to the Lamanites. Also he said that it would come with a special message to the Jews. For them it was published that they “may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about, through his most Beloved, his great and eternal purpose, in restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant” (Morm. 5:14). Consider the current significance of that scripture!
Mormon then wrote directly to us as modern Americans who now occupy this promised land and said: “How can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?
“Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
“Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you.” (Morm. 5:22–24.)
Can we ignore such a warning, directed specifically at this generation?
Moroni joined his father with this: “Who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings? Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lord? Who will despise the works of the Lord? Who will despise the children of Christ?
“Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall … perish.” (Morm. 9:26.)
It should be remembered that these men wrote to us out of the desperation of the event they were passing through as the Nephites were being wiped off the face of the earth. They knew that we live here now under the same conditions that were given to them.
As Moroni wrote his last testimony, he realized how important his book would be to our generation. He asked that we read it and believe it. So he pleaded:
“I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moro. 10:4).
These were among his very last words. His pen had already inscribed this frightening but divine warning about America:
Annotated Book of Mormon
“This is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off” (Ether 2:10).
He gave us the lesson of the annihilation of the Nephites as a case in point. He wrote similarly of the tragedy of the Jaredites. It was another case in point. Do we realize that this same kind of destruction can come upon us, and for the same reason?
So this is the message of Moroni. He came back from the dead to deliver it—in these modern times.
His people were Americans, too. His words constituted a people-to-people message, ancient Americans speaking to modern Americans. Theirs was the voice of bitter experience seeking to persuade us to avoid the dreadful conditions which engulfed them.
Moroni announced that he will face us on Judgment Day in defense of his words (see Moro. 10:27). This he will do, together with his book, for out of the books we shall be judged, and the Book of Mormon is one of those books.
We now have it in our hands. It is published to the world. It carries God’s message to all. It gives full and fair warning to this generation, and the warning is true!
Read it! Believe it! Pray over it! Obey its counsels! It can lead us unerringly to Christ!
The last words of Moroni! Dare we forget them? God grant that we never will, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen." Mark E. Petersen Oct 1978
I ran across this article this morning from a blog called: LDS S.M.I.L E. You can also follow it at: http://www.ldssmile.com (Copy and paste) It stands for LDS Spiritually Minded is Life Eternal. I have copied it as it was in their blog. In my title, I mentioned I have had a Personal Gethsemane, not once, but two times, both quite different. They are extremely personal, and I will not go into them here. Only some family members know, and not even some of whom are my dearest friends. Some deep problems are very personal, and some are known by many people, and perhaps are mentioned in the media! They are as diverse as our lives are! But I do know the only thing that allowed me to keep my faith, courage, and personal self control to go on with normal life was our Savior, Jesus Christ, and the comfort I felt from prayer, and yes -- Personal Priesthood blessings. ...
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Then he spoke of other leaders serving with him in the Nephite army, all of whom had fallen with the forces under their command. He accounted for about a quarter of a million Nephite soldiers killed in that final encounter at Cumorah.
At the time Mormon recorded the details of this dreadful tragedy, he said that only twenty-four remained alive of all the men, women, and children of the Nephites. These surviving few were themselves killed the next day—with one exception, Moroni, whom the Lord spared to close up the written record.
In closing his record, and knowing that it would come to us, Moroni pleaded with us, the modern inhabitants of this land, to escape the kind of tragic end which had obliterated his people. He said:
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