Three years after the First Vision, on the evening of Sept. 21, 1823, young Joseph Smith prayed in his family’s Palmyra, New York, home for forgiveness and understanding.
That night he was visited multiple times by a heavenly messenger, the ancient prophet Moroni, who informed young Joseph that God had work for him to do. The angel revealed the location of an ancient record inscribed on gold plates that was buried in a nearby hill, which would lead to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. He also taught Joseph about the Restoration of the Lord’s gospel.
The next day and on Sept. 22 for the next four years, Joseph went to the hill to receive instruction from the angel Moroni that would prepare Joseph for his prophetic role in the latter-day work.
Just over 200 years later, on Sunday, Sept. 21, hundreds gathered outside the visitors’ center as Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints rededicated the refurbished Hill Cumorah Historic Site, a sacred location he referred to as “the cradle of the Restoration.”
“We truly stand all amazed to be gathered in the cradle of the promised latter-day Restoration, where supernal events ushered in the dispensation of fullness of times,” he said in the dedicatory prayer. “We thank Thee for this occasion and all it signifies and symbolizes.”
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