Without Disclosing My True Identity
Tangible Evidence for Motivation
With the extra help of the “advanced brain change” performed at the hand of Moroni,
Joseph now possessed a better overall perspective of his calling as a true messenger. Again, to
assist him in keeping motivated and focused in the face of all the persecution he was going to
receive, the plates were intentionally prepared when Joseph was alive as Mormon, so that he,
as “Joseph,” would retain the necessary continuity of purpose to utilize them as they were
intended. The record was deliberately purposed, as he wrote under the hand of Mormon, “to
try [the people’s] faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater
things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the
greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.”^32
Convincing Joseph that He was the Right Man
During the night, Joseph received the same message from Moroni three times. With a
sense of humor common to all human beings, advanced or mortal, Moroni toyed with
Joseph, but with good purpose. Moroni made it appear as if he were leaving the scene—and
then returning—three times until the “cock crowed.”^33 Smiling at a somewhat bewildered
Joseph, Moroni facetiously mocked,
It took three denials before the “cock crowed” to finally convince Peter that
Christ knew what he was doing in choosing him as his “chief apostle.” And
so then, now, these three times have I appeared to you and should keep you
from doubting the choice we have made in choosing you.Moroni’s three visits were to impress upon Joseph’s mind the importance in
following through with the instructions he would be given throughout his life. Joseph
needed to know that they had chosen the right man for the job.
Joseph’s hearty laugh woke up the rest of the house. In the same instant, Moroni
was gone.
“What came over you Joseph?” questioned a sleepy-eyed Hyrum.
Joseph jumped on Hyrum and, laughing, wrestled him out of bed. “You are never to
believe me brother! But someday, you’ll see for yourself.”^34
Telling Joseph Sr. of Moroni’s Visit
Caught up in “the singularity of the scene” and very tired from the nightlong event,
Joseph forgot that he was supposed to meet Moroni at high noon where the plates were hidden.
They had discussed this during their conversations, along with the fact that his father had been
prepared to understand that he, Joseph, had been “called of God” for a special purpose. During
the discussion, Moroni had commanded Joseph to go to his father and tell him about the night’s
“vision” and the commandments that he had received.^35 His mother would not have been so
reasonable with Joseph running out in the middle of the day. Lucy would have given Joseph her
form of an inquisition, wanting to know every single detail,^36 before he was allowed to go off to
meet an “angel of God.” Therefore, Joseph was counseled not to say anything to his mother
until his father had a chance to present the information to her.