Without Disclosing My True Identity
would be required of him. His thoughts dwelt on what he would report as “foolish errors
[that] displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature.”^22
Still, in spite of his contrition, Joseph “had full confidence in obtaining a divine
manifestation, as [he] previously had one.”^23 He knew the proper protocol. He knew that he
would not receive a “revelation” or “inspiration” in his mind that told him to do something.
He knew that the instruction must come from the literal, physical presence and mouth of an
advanced human.
Moroni’s Visitation
Finally, in the early morning hours of September 22, 1823, with the advanced
technology and power to not be seen, a resurrected personage known as Moroni appeared
in Joseph’s room and stood “cloaked” by his bedside. Moroni waited until Joseph’s free will
was sufficiently influenced to “call upon God,” giving the advanced human the permission
he needed according to the universal laws that govern free agency—mortal non-
intervention being one of them—to show himself to Joseph. Joseph’s siblings slept in the
same room as him and his parents were in the room adjacent. So as not to startle him and
cause him to call out and wake them up, Moroni caused “a light [to appear] in [his] room,
which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday.”^24 This was also
necessary so that Joseph’s mortal eyes could gradually adjust to the light, rather than
blinding him and leaving him dazed until his eyes could adjust.
Moroni used advanced means to sedate the other members of Joseph’s household
to keep them asleep while his meeting with Joseph took place. The light didn’t startle
Joseph, who at first thought that it was his mother with a candle in hand checking her
children. As the light grew brighter with no immediate source, Joseph, though
somewhat apprehensive, realized what was happening and that the time had come to
receive the “further instruction” he had expected.
Gazing upon this glorious being, Joseph observed that his feet were not touching the
floor; his whole being was slightly elevated in the air as he spoke. Identifying himself as
Moroni, he calmed Joseph’s fears with a gentle smile and assurance that he was sent by
Christ to give him the further instruction that he had been promised. He introduced the Book
of Mormon to Joseph and discussed its purpose at some length. Joseph never revealed exactly
what Moroni told him about the purpose of the Book of Mormon; he was not allowed to, but
what he was allowed to reveal to the world about its purpose would come to condemn the
LDS/Mormon believers and their leaders. When he finally explained the experience, Joseph
disclosed the TRUE PURPOSE of the Book of Mormon, writing:
the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the
Savior to the ancient inhabitants [of this continent].^25Failure to Live the Fullness of the Gospel
It would be more than 15 years before Joseph started to write down his story.
Finally, in 1842, the official story was first published that contained what he was allowed
to tell the people about the Book of Mormon and the instructions he received from
Moroni. This official story contained not even a “hundredth part of the things that
Moroni truly taught [Joseph].”^26 By the time it had been published, the people’s faith