Elder Smith
Joseph Smith was directed by a heavenly messenger
named Moroni to a hill where gold plates had
lain hidden for centuries.
The gold plates contained the writings of
prophets giving an account of God’s dealings
with some of the ancient inhabitants of the
Americas.
Chris
Did you know that Joseph Smith first claimed
it was Nephi who appeared to him, NOT Moroni?
Elder Smith
We’ve never heard that claim.
What proof do you have of that?
Chris
Here is a quote from Joseph Smith himself,
found in the Church-published newspaper: Times
and Seasons, April 15, 1842
his name was Nephi.
Elder Young
I think that might have been a misquote or a misprint.
Chris
Joseph lived for two years after the name
Nephi was printed in Times and Seasons, and
being the editor he never published a retraction.
Two months later in 1842, the Millennial Star printed in England, also published Joseph Smith’s story
stating that the angel’s
name was Nephi.
The newspaper quotes,
Again, he never published a retraction or
made any alterations to his own writings.
Elder Young
That’s not what we teach today.
Chris
I have to agree.
In modern printings of the History of the
Church, Nephi has been changed to read Moroni.
But other than a couple of references where
Apparently, Nephi was the name he had settled
upon and intended to be used for his angel.
Elder Smith
All we know is that we believe in the authorized account
given in our canonized Scriptures
which names the angel, Moroni.
Chris
I hate to press the issue, but there has been
some confusion when it comes to your
canonized Scriptures.
Elder Smith
What do you mean?
Chris
Details of the angelic visitation were fully
documented and published in the early edition
of the Pearl of Great Price.
Elder Smith
Okay, so!
Chris
Let me read it to you:
Elder Young
It doesn’t say that in my Pearl of Great Price.
It says the messenger was Moroni.
Chris
That is because Mormon Apostle Orson Pratt
changed it from Nephi to Moroni in the 1878
edition of the Pearl of Great Price.
It appears, as with the several First Vision
accounts, the story of the angel’s visits
evolved over many years.
Elder Young
The fact of the matter is that Moroni makes
much more sense than Nephi because it was
Moroni who buried the plates.
Chris
But, let’s not forget that Joseph Smith
In the end, a statue of the angel Moroni now
appears, covered in gold leaf atop LDS temples.
While the angel Nephi is consigned to the
pages of the Book of Mormon.
