The first time Joseph Smith saw the gold plates, on September 22, 1823, he “made an attempt to take them out” of the ground, but the angel Moroni stopped him. Joseph reported, “[Moroni] told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates” (Joseph Smith—History 1:53). Consequently, Joseph returned to that location each year on September 22 and met with the angel, until four year later, he took possession of the plates. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:54, 59.)
A lot can happen in a year, especially in the life of a teenager. I wonder what efforts Joseph had to make each September, as his annual appointment with the angel approached. Did it take some planning to ensure that he was in town, and that he had no conflicting obligations that day? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:55-56.) Did he work extra hard in prior days and weeks to ensure that all of his obligations had been met so that he was free to spend the day with the angel? How did he prepare his mind and heart to receive instruction from this heavenly messenger? How was his behavior throughout the year impacted by the knowledge that he would talk with an angel each year on September 22?
One practical benefit of this annual appointment with an angel was that it emphasized the importance of the task Joseph had been given. Another was that it allowed him to demonstrate that he could be trusted to do what he was asked to do. Of course, this training also enabled him to learn valuable truths which would help him fulfill his missions. And the time between the visits gave him the opportunity to internalize what he had learned.
These annual appointments remind me of the Lord instructing the brother of Jared to travel with his family to a specific valley. “There will I meet thee,” said the Lord, “and there will I bless thee and thy seed” (Ether 1:42-43). Although a specific date may not have been set for this meeting, the brother of Jared must have felt a similar sense of anticipation and responsibility as he traveled and prepared for his next meeting with the Lord.
We have not been invited to receive instruction from an angel each year, but we can all make and keep appointments with the Lord.
For example, Elder Ulisses Soares has encouraged members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to prepare carefully for each visit to the temple: “Being temple bound secures us to the Savior, giving us proper direction and stability while ensuring we have covenant confidence through Jesus Christ. Therefore, all of us should intentionally enhance such binding by having our next appointment scheduled with the Lord in His holy house, whether the temple is near or far away” (“Covenant Confidence through Jesus Christ,” General Conference, April 2024).
Today, I will set an appointment to attend the temple. I will remember the value of having time scheduled to commune with God and of following through on those commitments to Him.
Thank you!
I enjoy very much your daily insights.
I find Joseph’s FIVE trips in 1823-27 fascinating.
The fact that only September 22, 1827, was the Feast of the Trumpets – an ancient Jewish Holiday established in Leviticus 23 is AMAZING!
The Ensign article below does a wonderful job of explaining the significance of September 22, 1827.
The Book of Mormon, in every sense, including the FIRST day Joseph took possession of it, is nothing less than a Marvelous Work and a Wonder.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/01/the-golden-plates-and-the-feast-of-trumpets?lang=eng
Thank you for the kind words. I was not aware that the day Joseph Smith received the gold plates coincided with Rosh Hashanah in 1827. That’s a great insight! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.