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Hill Cumorah Manchester, New York, United States of America Hill Cumorah Manchester, New York, United States of America After the fall of the Nephite civilization, the Prophet Moroni hid up a record in the Hill Cumorah of his people written on plates to come forth “as one crying from the dust” more than 1400 years later, the Book of Mormon was trans- lated and published.1 On the night of September 21-22, 1823, the angel Moroni appeared in vision to young Jo- seph Smith, Jr. and told him that “There was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source The Hill Cumorah from whence they sprang. He also said that the Photo courtesy of David C. Wadsworth fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained only occupied for pasturage, its steep ascent and in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient narrow summit not admitting the plow of the inhabitants; husbandman, with any degree of ease or profit. It was at the second mentioned place where the Also, that there were two stones in silver record was found to be deposited, on the west bows—and these stones, fastened to a breast- side of the hill, not far from the top down its plate, constituted what is called the Urim and side; and when myself visited the place in the Thummim—deposited with the plates; and the year 1830, there were several trees standing: possession and use of these stones were what enough to cause a shade in summer, but not constituted “seers” in ancient or former times; so much as to prevent the surface being covered and that God had prepared them for the pur- with grass which was also the case when the 2 pose of translating the book.” record was first found. Oliver Cowdery wrote a description of the Whatever may be the feeling of men on the re- hill in a letter to W. W. Phelps which was published flection of past acts which have been performed in the Messenger and Advocate in October of on certain portions or spots of this earth, I 1835: know not, neither does it add or diminish to nor from the reality of my subject. When Mo- “The hill of which I have been speaking, at the ses heard the voice of god, at the foot of Horeb, time mentioned, presented a varied appearance: out of the burning bush, he was commanded the north end rose suddenly from the plain, to take his shoes off his feet, for the ground forming a promontory without timber, but cov- on which he stood was holy. The same may be ered with grass. As you passed to the south you observed when Joshua beheld the ‘Captain of soon came to scattering timber, the surface hav- the Lord’s host’ by Jerico.—And I confess that ing been cleared by art or by wind; and a short my mind was filled with many reflections; and distance further left, you are surrounded with though I did not then loose my shoe, yet with the common forest of the country. It is neces- gratitude to God did I offer up the sacrifice of sary to observe, that even the part cleared was my heart.” 3 2 Hill Cumorah, Manchester, New York, United States of America Joseph visited the location of the plates on This is an incident in the life of Oliver September 22 for each of the next four years after Cowdery, but he did not take the liberty of telling Moroni’s initial appearance, where he received in- such things in meeting as I take. I tell these things struction from Moroni and eventually received the to you, and I have a motive for doing so. I want to plates in 1827. After the translation of the Book carry them to the ears of my brethren and sisters, of Mormon was completed, Joseph returned the and to the children also, that they may grow to an plates to Moroni. An account of the event was understanding of some things that seem to be en- given by Brigham Young. tirely hidden from the human family. A monument of the Angel Moroni was Oliver Cowdery went with the Prophet Jo- erected at the Hill Cumorah and was dedicated by seph when he deposited these plates. Joseph did President Heber J. Grant in 1935. not translate all of the plates; there was a portion The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- of them sealed, which you can learn from the Book day Saints has hosted the Hill Cumorah Pag- of Doctrine and Covenants. When Joseph got the eant: “America’s Witness for Christ” near the Hill plates, the angel instructed him to carry them back Cumorah since 1937. It is performed by volunteers to the hill Cumorah, which he did. and portrays Lehi and his family leaving Jerusalem Oliver says that when Joseph and Oliver in 600 B.C. being guided to what is now the Ameri- went there, the hill opened, and they walked into a can continent. cave, in which there was a large and spacious room. He says he did not think, at the time, whether they SOURCES had the light of the sun or artificial light; but that it was just as light as day. They laid the plates on a 1 See 2 Nephi 33:13. table; it was a large table that stood in the room. 2 Joseph Smith History 1:34-35. Under this table there was a pile of plates as much as two feet high, and there were altogether in this 3 Messenger and Advocate, Vol. 2, No. 13, (October 1835). room more plates than probably many wagon loads; they were piled up in the corners and along the walls. The first time they went there the sword Brigham Young’s Description of of Laban hung upon the wall; but when they went the Hill Cumorah1 again it had been taken down and laid upon the table across the gold plates; it was unsheathed, and on it was written these words: ‘This sword will never be sheathed again until the kingdoms of this “Orin P. Rockwell is an eye-witness to some pow- world become the kingdom of our God and his ers of removing the treasures of the earth. He was Christ.’ with certain parties that lived near by where the I tell you this as coming not only from Oli- plates were found that contain the records of the ver Cowdery, but others who were familiar with Book of Mormon. There were a great many trea- it, and who understood it just as well as we un- sures hid up by the Nephites. derstand coming to this meeting, enjoying the day, I lived right in the country where the plates and by and by we separate and go away, forget- were found from which the Book of Mormon was ting most of what is said, but remembering some translated, and I know a great many things pertain- things. So is it with other circumstances in life. ing to that country. I believe I will take the liberty I relate this to you, and I want you to un- to tell you of another circumstance that will be as derstand it. I take this liberty of referring to those marvelous as anything can be. things so that they will not be forgotten and lost. Hill Cumorah, Manchester, New York, United States of America 3 Carlos Smith was a young man of as much verac- Thou didst allow Thy devoted and faithful proph- ity as any young man we had, and he was a witness et. Moroni, to visit the boy Joseph Smith, that to these things. Samuel Smith saw some things, Thou didst allow him for four long years to meet Hyrum saw a good many things, but Joseph was the prophet on this hill and instruct him regarding the leader. the principles of the gospel, and fit and prepare Now, you may think I am unwise in pub- him to stand at the head of Thy Church, again es- licly telling these things, thinking perhaps I should tablished upon the earth, the Church of Thy Son, preserve them in my own breast; but such is not Jesus Christ. my mind. I would like the people called Latter-day We are grateful, Father, for the delivery Saints to understand some little things with regard unto him of the plates, and that he was inspired of to the workings and dealings of the Lord with his Thee through the instrumentality of the urim and people here upon the earth. I could relate to you a thummim that was placed in his hands, to translate great many more, all of which are familiar to many the holy scripture as recorded in the Book of Mor- of our brethren and sisters.” mon. We are thankful, Heavenly Father, that as SOURCES the years come and go Thou hast seen fit to un- cover evidences regarding the divinity of the work 1 Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. (London: Latter-day Saints’ Book in which we are engaged. We thank Thee, Father, Depot, 1854-1886), 19: 37. that the claims that were made against the Book of Mormon, that it was false because there were no dwellings that had been erected of cement to be found upon this land and that therefore the book Dedicatory Prayer of the was false have been disproved. We are grateful that Angel Moroni Monument1 such dwellings have been discovered, that mounds are being uncovered, and that under those mounds, not far from the city of Mexico, splendid cement “God, our heavenly and eternal Father, the Maker dwellings have been found.
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